(submitted photo/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Jeff D'Andrea

All five Sask WHL clubs teaming up for one ‘massive’ 50/50 draw

Nov 9, 2020 | 10:37 AM

Despite their fierce rivalries they’ve had on the ice over the years, the five Saskatchewan-based clubs in the Western Hockey League are teaming up to raise money for their player scholarship funds — and to make one lucky fan quite happy.

The Prince Albert Raiders, Saskatoon Blades, Regina Pats, Moose Jaw Warriors and Swift Current Broncos are all running the Hockey Harvest Lottery together — an online progressive 50/50 draw beginning on Nov. 16. Proceeds will be split evenly between the teams and go toward their WHL Education Funds.

“It’s something we’re proud of. We fight against each other on the ice but this is something we’ve all come together for, for the same goal,” Raiders business manager Michael Scissons said.

Ticket sales will close on Dec. 20, with the grand prize draw taking place on Dec. 21, at 1 p.m. in Saskatoon. The winner will receive half of the total jackpot. The jackpot will begin at $75,000, thanks to support from sponsor Great Western Brewing Company.

Because of the pandemic, teams have had to cancel or postpone their trusted fundraising events they have long relied on. The Raiders have not been able to hold their staple annual events like their golf tournament or the sportsman dinner.

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And with the pandemic putting the WHL on hold until at least the planned start date of Jan. 8, 2021, teams haven’t been able to play any games, either. At this point last season, the Raiders would have already played nine home games and have held nine gameday 50/50’s, to raise funds toward the WHL Education Fund.

The Saskatoon Blades, Regina Pats, Moose Jaw Warriors, and Swift Current Broncos are all in the same boat. And being able to raise money at a time like this is exactly what’s needed to fill the gap.

“It’s massive. COVID has pretty much put a halt to all of our revenues coming in, except for some small amounts of merchandise revenue,” Scissons said, adding the support from season ticket holders and sponsors has been “outstanding” during this pandemic-caused delay.

For every season a player participates in the WHL, they get a year of postsecondary tuition paid for (with some conditions). Teams pay those tuition fees through the WHL Education Fund. Scissons estimates the Raiders pay $50,000 in tuition fees each term, for $100,000 per year.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW