The home of the South Shore Lumberjacks, The LCLC in Bridgewater, NS. Photo: Evan Taylor
The South Shore Lumberjacks are hopeful that the first full season with new staff in key positions will bring with it success.
It’s set to be the first full season under the ownership of David Hinkley that doesn’t have the pandemic looming large.
“It was tough at times, not just on the ice but financially as well, I don’t want to get into specifics about losses but it was a tough year on that front,” Hinkley said.
However, Hinkley is devoted to getting the right people in the right positions for the team to succeed. In December he hired Head Coach Brad Tesink on an interim basis, and later that season he was given the role on a permanent basis. Former Halifax Mooseheads head coach Shawn MacKenzie is also joining the team as President and Head of Hockey Operations.
“We have to regain an identity and that’s something I’m working hard at in terms of bringing in the right staff, bringing in qualified people with extensive resumes in the game and also extensive resumes on how deal with communities and build a relationship,” Hinkley said.
Although through last year’s struggles Hinkley says he received offers from multiple towns to move the team and at the time he considered them, he’s now committed to trying to make the Lumberjacks successful in Bridgewater.
“You look at your income and your struggles with the team and any business owner is going to listen to offers if they come in, but ultimately we’re here and we want to be here long term,” Hinkley said. “All we can really control is what we do on our end and I think people are going to see and realize quickly that we’re really trying to do the right things and we have the right people involved.”
Improvements to the fan experience are also being explored by the front office to make game nights even more enjoyable and Hinkley says he is also considering lowering ticket prices for the upcoming season.
This story is part one of three-story series on the South Shore Lumberjacks and their revamp ahead of the 2022-23 season, in the coming weeks we’ll have features on Head Coach Brad Tesink and new President and Head of Hockey Operations Shawn MacKenzie.
