The Quesnel Millionaires may have been in a better position if they had forfeited that last playoff spot to Prince George and allow the Spruce Kings to suffer more red ink.

 

Did anyone notice that the Millionaires drew a meagre 940 fans for their home dates against Penticton? Yes, that’s 940 spectators, for two games, just 365 on the Monday and 575 on the Tuesday which is gate revenue of approximately $10,000. Sorry, but considering the travel costs for the first two games, that doesn’t pay the bills. The playoffs are supposed to be the time that teams actually make a bit of revenue, right?

 

The Millionaires average attendance this season for 32 home games (including two in the playoffs) was 638, only ahead of Merritt’s 571.

 

The Spruce Kings weren’t much better drawing 696 fans per game, 3rd worst in the entire BCHL; about 300 less than the average of the Interior Conference and close to 400 less than the league average.

 

So, the Spruce Kings took in gate revenue over $100,000 less than the average team. This is without considering the countless promotion tickets the Spruce Kings gave away to schools and other groups that inflated attendance figures. And one wonders why this club is struggling?

 

The time has arrived to question how much longer the BCHL wants to continue with its substandard
franchises in Quesnel and Prince George.

 

Because of their long standing tradition, the Spruce Kings have a soft spot in the community; that’s one reason why people will buy their $100 lottery ticket. But, can they get those same people out to games consistently? In reality, there is a better chance of having all the potholes on the PG roads patched.

 

Here’s a look at the turnstiles at the PG Coliseum the past five years:

Season	Kings Attendance(average per game	BCHL rank
10/11	696	14th
09/10	913	11th
08/09	1082	9th
07/08	886	10th
06/07	875	12th

 

Now let’s take a look at the Spruce Kings performance over the same five
year period:

Season	record	points	Conference	Overall	Playoffs
10/11	13-40-1-6	33	8th out of 8	16th out of 16	did not qualify
09-10	18-37-1-4	41	8th out of 9	16th out of 17	did not qualify
08-09	26-25-3-6	61	5th out of 8	11th out of 16	2-3
07-08	21-29-1-9	52	6th out of 8	13th out of 16	1-3
06-07	34-19-2-5	75	5th out of 9	8th out of 17	3-4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
The Spruce Kings continue their search for a Head Coach, one who will report through the General Manager and Hockey Operations Committee to the Board of Directors. Um, by the way there is no full-time GM, but let’s not get picky: “Mike Hawes will carry on as Director of Player Personnel and do a lot of these GM Duties. Whoever we bring in is going to be focused on coaching, scouting and recruiting,” said Team President Darcy Buryn.

 

Now, don’t you feel better with that taken care of? As the clock ticks away and crucial recruiting opportunities are missed, well, let’s not rush things. “We have out identification camp on the first week of April. Ideally I would like to have it (coaching position hired) wrapped up by then. Having the coaching position filled (earlier) would make the recruiting easier, but we will take the risk since we want to hire the right guy,” stated Buryn.

 

Dave Dupas (record of 7-18-1-4) wants to return. He is one of 50 that applied for the job. If the team really wanted him back, one would think he would have the full-time job by now.

 

Personally, I can’t believe there are so many that would want the position. It comes with low pay, numerous hours, tons of grief, plenty of stress and of course, lots of losing.

 

Cariboo Cougars coach Trevor Sprague is an example of being a sucker for punishment. He admits he would love a chance to take on that pressure in his hometown and coach the Spruce Kings. However, I see one big flaw though on Trevor’s resume`. At every level he has coached, he WINS. Oh well, there has been no evidence that winning and the Spruce Kings go hand in hand. Sorry about that, Trevor.

 

Headline....'Charlie Sheen blasts Cryer'....would that be his former co-star or one of the Miami Heat?

 

Shortly after coaching Lipan to a regional semifinal victory, Amber Branson gave birth to daughter Leslie----and about 15 hours later, she was back on the bench guiding the Lady Indians to another win. So, unlike the NFL and the Players Union, nice to know someone can overcome labor difficulties.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

 

Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year, is in foal to two-time Horse of the Year Curlin. Not sure if she's formally retired, but this probably does rule out the mare ever competing again in Utah.

 

BYU star sophomore Brandon Davies was suspended from the basketball team indefinitely for getting his girlfriend pregnant. Well, that should silence all the doubters who wondered if Davies was NBA ready.

 

Monday was International Women’s Day and the NBA celebrated by having players hook up with women from all over the world. Reports from the communications department say most players were willing to sacrifice themselves for a worthy cause although a few of the players reported they celebrate women every day.

 

Top 5 reasons for NBA players to cry in the locker room
# 5 not enough groupies for everyone
# 4 Hookers levying a surcharge for babysitters
# 3 they play for Toronto
# 2 Paycheque delayed an hour for Bank to confirm they really get that much

…..and the #1 reason for NBA players to cry in the locker room

Another baby mommy waiting outside the door

 

Northwestern University is investigating a psychology professor who allowed a couple to have sex in front of a class. What's the big deal? The class was NBA 101.

Masha Lopatova, wife of Utah Jazz guard Andrei Kirilenko, reportedly allows him one day a year to be with another woman. This puts a whole new spin on an uncontested score.

Unconfirmed reports have Jeopardy-winning computer Watson in a battle of wits with Leafs GM Brian Burke. One is known for being calculating and humorless; the other is made by IBM.

 

Pete Rose is getting a divorce after 26 years. Double check to make sure where you stand on the over/under. 

 

Two drivers in a lawnmower race near Queenstown, New Zealand, came to blows after one rammed the other with his mower.
That's what you get for cutting in front of somebody.

 

Baseball adds Charlie Sheen to list of banned substances.