Soo Greyhounds aim to bring more ‘big-league' feel to GFL Memorial Gardens
When the Soo Greyhounds return to the ice next month, fans might find themselves looking up. A brand-new remote-controlled blimp, emblazoned with the team's logo and colours, will glide over the GFL Memorial Gardens this season.
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The new addition is one of several 'fresh new touches' coming to the arena as the team continues to focus on building its in-game experience, according to Maya Lortie, the Greyhounds' business operations associate.
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'We are always looking for new and creative ways to make a more memorable and exciting in-game experience for our fans at every Greyhounds game,' she told The Sault Star. 'The blimp will add a fun and new element to our game day presentation, and we think it will bring in a sense of excitement for fans of all ages, which is why we decided to introduce it this season.'
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The Canadian-made blimp, produced in Brantford, Ont., will fly during intermissions as 'both an entertainment and promotional tool,' featuring local businesses and spotlighting the team's community partners. It joins the popular Agawa Canyon train horn — introduced last season as the Hounds' new goal horn — as part of a growing focus on creating a vibrant home-game atmosphere.
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The push to make Greyhounds games feel like a 'big-league' event also comes at a time of rising speculation about whether the team will bid to host the 2027 Memorial Cup, something the franchise hasn't done since it won its only CHL championship in 1993.
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The Hounds have been active bidders in recent years, and owner Tim Lukenda didn't rule out the possibility of future submissions when the club's 2024 bid lost to Saginaw. When it comes to hosting the CHL's marquee tournament, strengthening arena atmosphere and community engagement are critical.
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Several NHL teams employ blimps in their game day presentations, and the Greyhounds won't be the first in the OHL; the London Knights and Oshawa Generals, two of the top three teams in league attendance, are among the clubs to have taken part. Across the sports landscape, in-game entertainment has evolved to include blimps, light shows, and more interactive fan activations as teams look to turn every Wednesday-night game into an event.
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