Page 33 - Columbus NCG 2020

would be a part of the River Dragons it be sending out players to local schools a new digital video board and suite-level
front office. As the offseason went on, or playing street hockey with a recreation seating in its home arena, the Columbus
he would eventually be named head program or working with a program for Civic Center. Entering the 2020-21
coach of the team, delighting fans even underprivileged kids.” season, the River Dragons have five years
more. Bechard, who spent 21 of his 25 remaining on their initial agreement to play
years in professional hockey as a player in the Civic Center, which is owned and
and coach with the Cottonmouths, “We should have operated by the City of Columbus.
remained in the area after the franchise most of our players back, The River Dragons’ ownership group, Ignite
shut down. so we’re excited about Pro Hockey, LLC, put a formal proposal
that,” said Brand. together to bring minor league baseball
As the inaugural season progressed, “Next season (2020-21) is back to Columbus as well.
additional indicators were positive. going to be a phenomenal
Corporate partnerships were solidified, year. People know about us “Columbus, Georgia is definitely a
and the team expected to draw 100,000 and we’re back out in the community that values its entertainment
spectators, averaging over 3,000 each community.” and its quality of life,” Brand said.
home game, Brand said. “So far the residents have proven to
us that they do.”
According to Brand, a Michigan native The River Dragons finished the
and longtime hockey executive, the 2019-20 season 24-21-1 and had already “I’m not sure we’re ready to call ourselves
team began building its fan base and clinched a playoff berth before the ‘Hockey Town South, USA’,” he added.
increasing area interest in the sport remainder of the regular season and “But between the youth hockey and public
throughout its inaugural season by playoffs were cancelled due to Covid-19. skating that goes on at the Columbus Ice
participating in community outreach Following the season, Brand, Bechard, Rink and the level of hockey we bring, I
across the Greater Columbus region. and other team executives are eager to think the Chattahoochee Valley rivals
bolster the roster and build the continuity a lot of ‘hockey hotbeds’ up North.”
“We’ve had great success in some of
necessary for long-term success in the
our outlying communities like Phenix sport’s minor leagues. For more information on the
City (Ala.) and LaGrange,” said Brand. Columbus River Dragons and to secure
“We’ve been able to work well with the Outside of the on-ice improvement of the tickets for the 2020-21 season,
whole Chattahoochee Valley, whether team, the club’s long-term goals include visit rdragons.com.

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