New Westminster residents have the chance to check out the Vancouver Giants at home when the team comes to the Bill Copeland Arena in Burnaby for an exhibition game this weekend.
The Giants are hosting the Kamloops Blazers this Sunday, Sept. 8 at 3 p.m. The Burnaby stop is one of several pre-season games that will see the Vancouver team travel to various arenas in the Lower Mainland.
"It's been quite a while since we've gone to other venues. Normally it's typically all in Ladner, but we've taken the opportunity to get out into the community a little bit," said Paul Lucrezi, director of marketing for the Giants.
As for Burnaby, the Giants haven't been to the city in almost a decade, Lucrezi recalled.
"I know we had a preseason game there ages ago, but it was probably 2002 or 2003," he added. "So we're making our way out there on Sunday, Sept. the 8th."
For spectators of this Sunday's game, there will be a special presentation before the game with Giants' coaches and staff. It's also the time for season ticket holders to pick up their tickets.
"We call it the 'Pick Up Party.'
So this is where the fans can experience."
come and pick up their season tickets for the year," he said.
The party is for all fans, not just season ticket holders, and starts at 1:45 p.m. in the lobby of the Bill Copeland Arena prior to the game.
"We'll have some members of our coaching staff and management doing some speeches and chatting in the main lobby," he said. "It's kind of a neat opportunity for folks to come out and see something a little
different in terms of a Giants Vancouver, Burnaby residents will also get the chance to check out 15-year-old Ty Ronning - son of former Canuck Cliff Ronning.
Burnaby native Ty Ronning was the team's first-round bantam pick two years ago and will finally be making his junior debut this season.
Other Lower Mainland players to watch for include Dalton Sward from Abbbotsford, Scott Cooke from Surrey, Luca Leone from Jackson Houck from North Vancouver, and Carter Popoff from Richmond.
The majority of the proceeds from ticket purchased, along with 50/50 sales, will go to Burnaby Minor Hockey, which is hosting the pre-season game, Lucrezi said.
For information and to buy tickets for Sunday's game, visit www.burnabyminor.com. Tickets will also be on sale at the event.
Tickets are $10 and cash will only be accepted at the door.
For more information on the Vancouver Giants' upcoming season, including game dates and times and season ticket information visit, www.vancou vergiants.com.
Bill Copeland Arena is located at 3676 Kensington Ave. in Burnaby.
