CORNWALL – The Federal Hockey League’s Cornwall Nationals unveiled their new logo and a couple of new players over the weekend.
Vice President Mitch Gagne and President Rodney Rivette book ended their newest acquisitions – Lou Dickenson and Kris McCarthy – during a news conference Saturday.
The team has verbal agreements with Dickenson, McCarthy, Jeff League and Jason Lepine.
As for advertising, Rivette said there are a number of advertising opportunities that have opened up with the new scoreboard clock.
“I got a lot of phone calls from possible advertisers who actually committed a good chunk of money to start us off, so we’re starting off with a good momentum,” Rivette said.
He added that the FHL team has financial backers to step in, if it’s needed.
“We have some people who are in the background. They don’t feel we’re going to need the financial infusion because the cost of the operational budget…because our budget is so responsible. They don’t think we’re going to need the money but if we do need an infusion of cash they will be there. I feel very confident we won’t have to go that route,” Rivette said.
Rivette is promising a more “family hockey game” without the “staged fighting. I don’t think that works for Cornwall.”
In an interview with Cornwall Newswatch, Mitch Gagne said it will cost $350,000 to operate the team, which he still calls a “high budget” compared to $540,000 for a basic LNAH team.
The salary cap is $110,000, he said.
Gagne had explored an FHL franchise in 2012 but chose to pursue the Cornwall River Kings instead. He explained the FHL team is attractive now because it wasn’t a new league like it was four years ago.
The hockey season will have a 52 game schedule and will have 26 home games.
Tickets were being sold as of 2 p.m. Monday with season ticket prices of $290 for adults, $230 for seniors and students and $115 for children 12 and under.
Gagne said their goal is 300 season ticket sales in six weeks.
A light skate will happen on Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. before the season starts on Oct. 30, 2016.