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With $1.8 million in the bank, Humboldt Broncos preparing for 50th anniversary

HUMBOLDT — After an abnormal year that featured international attention, large expenses and donations from the public, the Humboldt Broncos are planning a more typical season that will celebrate their 50th anniversary.
Humboldt Broncos Board 2019-20
The new Broncos board is made up of, from left, Andre Kruger, Lee Dufort, Jamie Brockman, Dennis Locke, Curtis Wacker, Laurie Warford, Kelly Ogle, Maury Simoneau, Wendy Shanks and James Dyok. Not present is Joanne Koski. Photo by Devan C. Tasa

HUMBOLDT — After an abnormal year that featured international attention, large expenses and donations from the public, the Humboldt Broncos are planning a more typical season that will celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Jamie Brockman, the team’s president, said at its June 26 annual general meeting he’s pleased to have head coach Scott Barney locked in for another three years and office manager Amanda Brochu staying on another year. Curtis Toneff will join the team as an assistant coach, while Rory McGouran has come on board as the marketing director.

“Things are just going to be that much easier and that much closer to a regular junior hockey season,” Brockman said.

In an unaudited financial statement that covers June 1, 2018 to May 31, the team had almost $1.1 million in revenues and $747,000 in expenses, resulting in a surplus of $343,000.

When only operating income and expenses are considered, the team made $678,000 and spent $1.2 million. Much of the higher than average expenses were due to replacing players, staff and equipment, as well as other one-off expenses like the banners hanging in the Elgar Petersen Arena. The team also benefited from higher than average ticket sales.

The team spent almost $60,000 on the home opener and Elgar Petersen’s funeral and $308,000 on a new score clock it donated to the city. It made $175,000 from the Lottery of Cash and a grant connected to that, $924,000 from donations and $350,000 from a donation from the HumboldtStrong Community Foundation.

In its bank accounts, the team has $1.8 million as of May 31.

“We have some money in the bank that's going to help us maintain the integrity of the Humboldt Broncos moving forward, keep it strong and viable,” Brockman said. “We're not looking to blow that in any way. We're going to stick to a regular junior hockey budget moving forward and we'll see where that takes us.”

An audited statement is expected to be completed and released in August.

As for the 50th anniversary, Brockman said planning is underway.

“We're going to work with the Humboldt Broncos Alumni Association to work out some details,” he said. “We'd like to do some monthly initiatives and events to celebrate 50 years of the Humboldt Broncos.”

A special logo has been designed for the anniversary that will be featured on the team’s third jerseys.

As for season ticket sales, the team has sold 401 as of June 26. Last season, it sold around 750 while the season before, it sold around 350. Brockman said he’s hoping to exceed last year’s season ticket sales.

The team also managed to fill most of its empty board spots at the meeting, bringing the board to 11 members.

Brockman said the team is focused on moving forward while also remembering those affected by the crash.

“Thank you so much to the community, to the world, to the country, to the province for helping get our organization back up and running.”