Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats | Cheering on the return of sports

Published

4 years ago

March 31, 2021

Dugout Wire Service

Island’s WCL teams go all kooky for hockey, glad to see it back

March 31, 2021

NANAIMO and VICTORIA, B.C. — The two West Coast League teams on Vancouver Island found a special way to celebrate, together, the return of one sport we’ve all missed — hockey.

With the WHL now having returned to the ice, and the BCHL set to begin this week, both without fans, the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls decided to team up and welcome back teams such as the Victoria Royals and Grizzlies, Nanaimo Clippers, Port Alberni Bulldogs and Cowichan Valley Capitals.

There was only one way to do it right — with special edition HarbourCats and NightOwls/Bars hockey jerseys, teaming with SP Apparel to produce sublimated, laced, truly-one-of-a-kind hockey jerseys, specially designed by social media/design guru Chris Beveridge.

The HarbourCats stayed true to the blues of team colours, while the NightOwls brand and ‘novelty name’ Bars brand are unique to those looks.

“Why not, right? We’re in Canada, might as well play along — and show support how we can for our hockey friends,” said Jim Swanson, GM/Managing Partner of the HarbourCats and NightOwls/Bars.

“Watching hockey come back, and watching MLB stadiums welcome back fans, is a good indicator for us all that measures are working and we can see the end of this challenging time soon. With these hockey jerseys, we can help celebrate that with the Royals, Grizzlies and Clippers in particular.”

The jerseys are available in limited quantities and available on the team websites, shop sections (see detailed links below).

Both the HarbourCats and NightOwls are scheduled to begin their 2021 West Coast League season on June 1, playing a Canada only schedule against league rivals and newcomers the Edmonton Riverhawks and Kamloops NorthPaws. The detailed schedule is yet to be announced.

Details and updates on both teams will be available at their respective websites at www.harbourcats.com and www.nanamionightowls.com.

Store Links for Hockey Jersey Purchase

HarbourCats: https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/products/limited-edition-victoria-harbourcats-hockey-jersey

NightOwls: https://nanaimonightowls.com/product/nanaimo-nightowls-custom-hockey-jersey/

Nanaimo Bars: https://nanaimonightowls.com/product/nanaimo-bars-custom-hockey-jersey/

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Summer Collegiate

Star Vegas catcher, Hawaii Pacific players added to summer roster

Published

4 days ago

March 12, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

Unveiled today for Coach Andreychuk’s roster in 2025:

C Anthony Marnell IV, S/R, College of Southern Nevada (and Oregon State), 6-2/200, Las Vegas

RHP Zach Horwith, R/R, 6-1/200, Bellarmine University, Castle Rock, CO

RHP Brennan Kettle, R/R, 6-0/155, Hawaii Pacific, Houston, TX

SS Andrew Nykoluk, R/R, 5-10/165, Hawaii Pacific, Simi Valley, CA

RHP Jayden Gabrillo, L/R, Hawaii Pacific, 5-8/165, Ewa Beach, HI

OF Owen Wessel, R/R, 5-8/165, Hawaii Pacific, Huntington Beach, CA

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Peninsula Co-op partners to bring community events to HarbourCats games

Published

1 week ago

March 6, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

For Immediate Release

March 6, 2025

VICTORIA, B.C. –– There are few groups more community-minded on Vancouver Island than Peninsula Co-op — their involvement with the Victoria HarbourCats and specific events confirms that yet again.

Thanks to Peninsula Co-op, athletes from Special Olympics and Challenger Baseball will take to the field at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park this summer, in what has become a pair of annual events that warm the hearts of fans and bring big smiles to the faces of all the competitors.

“This is something we have worked together with Peninsula Co-op on for more than a decade and these are special nights that have heart-warming moments you can’t manufacture,” said Jim Swanson of the HarbourCats.

“I think the Special Olympics athletes look forward more to this game with our HarbourCats guys than they do to provincials or major tournaments they attend. And with Challenger Baseball, this game shows all the fans how fun it is to be on the field, getting around the bases or swinging at that pitch down the middle.”

“Peninsula Co-op is excited to continue our long-standing partnership with the HarbourCats and to bring these community-inclusive and engaging events to life,” said Lindsay Gaudette, Director of Member and Community Engagement with Peninsula Co-op.

“The dedication, joy, and spirit of these athletes remind us of the power of community, teamwork, and inclusion. We look forward to another summer of unforgettable moments on the field.”

The big dates:

*Challenger Baseball, Tuesday, July 15, 5:30pm (before the 6:35pm HarbourCats game)

*Special Olympics, Wednesday, July 23, 5:30pm (before the 6:35pm HarbourCats game)

Peninsula Co-op members also get $2.00 discounts for HarbourCats tickets (at the office in advance, or at box-office on game days), and Peninsula Co-op also makes it possible for kids to come free for an entire series, the July 25-26-27 three-game set with the Wenatchee AppleSox in Victoria to play the HarbourCats.

For more information, see the HarbourCats website at harbourcats.com — tickets, promotions, partners, merchandise, and more.

Source

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats to host Eagles and Blaze PBL games, June 1

Published

2 weeks ago

March 4, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

March 4, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. — Two of the best high school baseball teams in B.C. will showcase their talents this summer at the home of the Victoria HarbourCats.

The Victoria Eagles and Langley Blaze, two of the powerhouse organizations of the B.C. Premier Baseball League (BCPBL) — the province’s top loop for high school-aged players — will meet up for a doubleheader on Sunday, June 1, with a noon start at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

“We are excited to do this, and it will be a great way to whet the appetite of baseball fans with the HarbourCats opening at home on Friday, June 6,” said HarbourCats GM Christian Stewart.

“I’ve watched a lot of PBL baseball, people know me for my photos of the league over the years, and it’s very good baseball — those players all want to get to college and then earn the chance to play at the HarbourCats level. Our fans will really enjoy this, and the Eagles will be a more than worthy home team that day.”

The Eagles usually play out of the Lambrick Park complex, and do some of their winter training in the Edwards Family Training Centre on Cook Street.

The BCPBL produces players who go on to collegiate baseball, and some are drafted by MLB teams. San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta, who also pitched for the HarbourCats, developed with the Eagles, while the Blaze have produced Tyler O’Neill, Brett Lawrie, Scott Mathieson and many others.

The Eagles are overseen by Martin Winstanley, Jeremy Campbell, and head coach Mitch Davidoff. The Blaze are run by the legendary Doug Mathieson, coached by Jamie Bodaly.

The Eagles will also play their cross-town rival Victoria Mariners in a single game at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP on Wednesday, June 4, a 6:35pm start.

Tickets are available now for these games and all 2025 home games via the HarbourCats ticketing website HERE and and all season ticket holders will have this event and the June 4th game included in their ticket packages as a bonus.

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