As December 2010 began the Prince George Cougars were fighting for first place in their division. Then four Prince George Cougar starters went away to play at the highest level in the world for their age groups.
Even with this loss of top calibre players the Prince George Cougars fight for and reach first place in their division.
On Friday, Jan. 7, the Prince George Cougars were in first place in their division and the four Prince George Cougar starters returned from playing at the highest level in the world for their age groups, with a silver medal and two bronze medals.
You would think that Prince George, being the hockey town it believes it is, would pack the arena to support the first-place Cougars and to welcome back the four world-class hockey players.
That is what I thought, but I was wrong.
I have been a Cougar fan and season ticket holder since the first season in the Coliseum. Through the losing seasons, the iffy work done by management and the less than stellar coaches we have had, it still felt good to be a fan. Friday night that ended.
I was embarrassed. I was embarrassed for the Cougars and the four returning players. There was not the crowd the team deserved, and those who did attend the game chose not to give the four world-class players the standing ovation they deserved.
Do we in Prince George deserve to have a Western Hockey League Team? I am beginning to wonder about this. We profess to be a hockey town. We say we are fans of hockey.
My personal definition of a fan is one who attends games, cheers for the home team in good times and bad and gives world-class hockey players a well deserved, standing ovation.
Where are you fans?
This team is for real. They have great young players playing a game they love and it shows. They have quality coaching in place and it shows.
The management is doing its part to turn things around and it shows - shows with 1,700 free tickets to elementary school children for the Teddy Bear Game, Cougar players visiting schools to talk to kids, and four world-class players being recognized on their return.
The only problem with this positive picture is that the fans are not for real and it shows.
I will continue to be a Cougar fan and to enjoy watching entertaining hockey. You can be a Cougar fan too - just show up and enjoy the games. It's easy and fun.
Art Brown
Prince George
