Pending a quick and large infusion of cash from a local source, all signs point to the Vault being without the Quesnel Millionaires for the foreseeable future.
What makes the loss difficult are the memories the Mills have given us these last two years.
Who can forget the great playoff run in 2009-2010 and another trip, however brief, to the playoffs this season?
Even tougher is the loss of hope for next year that this year’s team left us with the likes of local boys Spencer Graboski, Daryl DeVries and Derek Huisman and other rookies like David Thompson and Bryant Udy.
They will have a great season, just not in Quesnel.
The loss of the Mills will impact the community in many ways.
School children will not have their favourite Mills visit their classrooms, have breakfast with their idols at Denny’s and Good Cheer will be out a dedicated set of canvassers.
Volunteers and billet families have gone out of their way to make the Mills feel at home and they will feel a void in their daily lives and their hearts.
Unfortunately, judging from the many empty seats on game nights, there are many in the community who may not notice the Millionaires are gone.
In the end that is precisely why the Millionaires are likely going to leave the Vault empty.
Lack of fan support.
The thought of the Mills moving on has left many in the community angry, bewildered, disappointed and above all sad.
Leading the pack of those with sadness is president of the Quesnel Millionaires, Bob Sales.
Conversations with Sales over the last two years revealed a kind, gentle spirit with a deep interest in junior A hockey and a sincere commitment to the Millionaires franchise in Quesnel.
The team will leave Quesnel despite the best intentions of Sales and the other 14 owners of the Quesnel Millionaires.
The owners can’t be blamed for not wanting to dip even deeper into their pockets.
For those efforts, for trying to keep the Millionaires in Quesnel, for the amazing playoff run in the 2009-2010 season, for this year’s young but exciting team and the promise of hope of things to come, we owe a heartfelt thank you to Sales and the other owners.
Thank you for trying, Bob.
