Prince Rupert Rampage fans may not immediately recognize the team’s new president when the season starts this fall, but they’ve seen him on the ice many times.
Former Rampage mascot Travis McNeice was named team president at its annual general meeting on June 19. In addition to mascot, McNeice — who replaces Ron German as president — has served in numerous roles with the team since it was formed in 2008.
German will continue on in his role with the team as its general manager as well as president of the Central Interior Hockey League.
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“Ronny’s done an awesome job and we all still wish that he was the guy, but he will stay on and will be very involved with the team,” said McNeice. “We couldn’t have done anything without that guy.”
McNeice said his main goals as president will be to get the team more involved in the community off the ice and to attract more local talent to the team to build on the momentum from last year’s regular season success.
“I’m just hoping to keep our momentum going,” he said. “I’m hoping to find some fresh Prince Rupert bodies so we don’t have to bring as many players as we did last year.”
Terena Stegavig — vice-president for the Rampage — said the team has reached out to the Salvation Army, the Prince Rupert BC SPCA and Acropolis Manor to organize events. She said building a presence will be a vital part of building up the team’s fan base going into the 2018-2019 season, which will have a trickle-down effect on the city’s other hockey activities.
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“It’s a community team so if you don’t contribute and help your community, why would they come?” she said. “These kids love the Rampage and hockey in the community would die if we didn’t have the Rampage, so we have to make sure we’re doing what we can.”
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