Belleville Bulls Reach 30 Year Milestone of OHL Junior Hockey

Press Release

The Belleville Bulls announced today that their 30th anniversary season 2010-11 will kick off with a Labour Day weekend celebration of junior hockey in the Quinte Region. The Belleville Bulls 30th Anniversary Homecoming and Junior hockey Celebration will be the event that launches a year of special activities in which the Bulls’, their fans, and alumni can celebrate many classic memories from Bulls’ history and be reminded of the excitement and thrills that come from having an OHL team in this community.

”This Labour Day weekend celebration starts it all off. It will be a year to remember for all Bulls’ fans, whether we’ve followed the team for most or all of 30 years, or for one year, or for six years like my partners and I” commented Gord Simmonds, majority partner and Governor for the Belleville Bulls. “This season we will be reminded of why we are passionate about junior hockey. We’ll celebrate the lasting and generational memories that a stable OHL franchise like the Bulls’ has brought to this community. We’ll be reminded, again, of the community bonding and cultural fabric that the Belleville Bulls franchise has offered to this city and the region along with the national and international recognition.”

Bulls’ fans are asked to circle the Labour Day weekend on their calendars. On September 4th and 5th the Bulls’ home at the Yardmen Arena becomes a festival for junior hockey “then and now”. Involvement by Bulls alumni that weekend will add a special element, as the organization hopes to welcome back many Bulls players from seasons past. At the same time fans can welcome the latest Belleville Bulls team that will play in Bulls’ uniforms this anniversary season. Area hockey fans will get a view of several great junior hockey franchises that operate in our region.

The Belleville Bulls 30th Anniversary Homecoming and Junior Hockey Celebration begins Saturday, September 4th at 1:00 pm with a special Black/White game marking the final battle of young Bulls fighting for a spot on this year’s team. This will be followed by a Bulls’ alumni game featuring Bulls of the past skating once again on Yardmen ice. Memories of 30 years of amazing hockey will be available to Bulls fans. Between Saturday games, the Bulls hope to welcome back current professional players from both Bulls’ alumni and the local community for a skills demonstration and a chance to honour their progress. The Bulls ask that everyone attending this free Saturday event bring a non-perishable item or a “toonie” to support the Gleaner’s food bank. All proceeds from the afternoon’s other charitable activities will be split between the Belleville Junior Bulls Minor Hockey Association Help Fund and the Belleville Bulls Education Fund.

On Sunday, September 5th, “Junior Hockey Day in Quinte” will round out the “kick off” celebration when five local junior teams all play in the Yardmen Arena on one day. The “triple header” will start at 11:00 am with the Picton Pirates hosting the Napanee Raiders in a Junior C Empire League exhibition game. At 2:00 pm the Belleville Bulls welcome the Oshawa Generals in the Bulls’ first OHL exhibition match of the season. The third game will feature the Wellington Dukes hosting an OJHL league exhibition game versus the Trenton Golden Hawks starting at 5:30 pm. This full day of junior hockey allows Quinte area hockey fans to kick off the junior hockey season with excitement and style.

A single general admission of $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids 12 and under will get you a day pass to all three Sunday games. All newly registering 2010-11BMHA players will be provided with a voucher for a free admission to help celebrate the strong affiliation between the organizations. Live music will be played between games. All charitable activities from this full day of hockey benefit the Quinte Children’s Foundation. The Bulls will make a donation from each admission to this worthwhile cause.

For ongoing information on the Belleville Bulls 30th Anniversary Homecoming and Junior Hockey Celebration weekend please continue to check the Bulls’ website through the summer months.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)