2012 MEMORIAL CUP RALLY FEB. 2

SAINT JOHN - There has been a change of plans.

Rather than holding a minor shindig at the Imperial Theatre involving season ticket holders, the Saint John Sea Dogs are now going full scale with a rally at the Brunswick Square atrium next Wednesday, February 2. The event will be held from 5:30 – 6:00 pm, giving fans enough time to take the pedway back to Harbour Station for warm-up as the Sea Dogs host the Acadie-Bathurst Titan.

All of this is for an effort to try and show the city’s support and enthusiasm towards bringing the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup to Saint John. The selection committee is scheduled to tour the Saint John area on February 9.

From a Sea Dogs release:

“Sea Dogs fans have really let us know how proud they are to see the city considered as a host for this high-profile event,” said Sea Dogs president Wayne Long. “We have the greatest fans in junior hockey, and so many want to be involved with this bid process in some way. We came up with the idea of a community rally to give everyone a chance to show their colours and wow the selection committee.”

This rally will include the public unveiling of the Saint John 2012 logo, and will be videotaped as part of a package presented to the committee demonstrating why this great city would make a perfect Memorial Cup host. Fleaburn and Sea Dogs players will be on hand to give away T-shirts, and fans are encouraged to come wearing Sea Dogs jerseys or other blue clothing.

“We have a first-class experience planned for the MasterCard Memorial Cup selection committee, and having this rally will just show the members of the independent committee how enthusiastic and committed Saint John is to hosting this tournament,” said Ron Marcolin, chair of the 2012 Memorial Cup bid committee.

All members of the public are invited to attend the public rally Feb. 2 to show their support for this major national event.

There has been hype about the 2012 Memorial Cup for over a year now in Saint John and this will be the first time Sea Dogs fans get to publically show their support. Other teams bidding on the tournament include the Shawinigan Cataractes, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, and Halifax Mooseheads.

The selection committee will visit Cape Breton on February 8.