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Prince George, Cariboo Cougars bolster brotherhood bond with $25,000 donation

WHL Cats helping Major Midget Cats for operating costs, annual Calgary trip
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
Cougars-donation-Cariboo team 2019
Cariboo Cougars General Manager Trevor Sprague (left) receives a cheque for $25,000 from Prince George Cougars' Andy Beesley to go towards team costs for 2019 (via Prince George Cougars)

Having the support of your family is a big deal in life and the same goes between partnering hockey clubs.

On Thursday (May 9), the Prince George Cougars helped out their major midget affiliate Cariboo Cougars by making a financial donation of $25,000 to continue their efforts in developing young stars headed for the Western Hockey League (WHL).

The relationship has gone on for five years between the WHL club and their B.C. Major Midget League (BCMML) counter-part, bringing the donation total in that span to over $150,000.

“Our organization is incredibly proud to be a major contributor to our community as we put all of our fundraising efforts back into helping local agencies and non-profit groups, said Cougars’ Vice President of Business Andy Beesley in a release after handing the big cheque to Cariboo General Manager Trevor Sprague.

“The Cariboo Cougars are a great development program here in northern B.C. and we look forward to continuing to support them in the years to come.”

The funds are expected to help the young Cats’ operating costs as a franchise, as well as pay for fees in their annual trip to Calgary for the Mac’s Midget AAA World Invitational.

Both teams have produced current and graduated WHL stars like Stanley Cup-champion Brett Connolly, Chase Witala, Brogan O’Brien, and Josh Maser

As of last season, Prince George is developing three prospects with the Cariboo Cougars; that being John Herrington, Matthew Magrath, and Brogan’s younger brother Fischer O’Brien.