West Coast heavyweight Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment has bought the franchise and assets of the Vancouver VooDoo, a roller hockey team, from Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams, the team’s original owner.
Mike Penny, the VooDoo’s general manager, says the purchase of the Roller Hockey International team is a good fit for Orca Bay since the company has an arena to fill and roller hockey is growing in popularity.
Orca Bay owns the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League and the Vancouver Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association.
Both teams play their home games in General Motors Place, also owned by Orca Bay.
Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
In line with rhi’s overall marketing approach, Penny says Orca Bay will market the franchise as moderately priced family entertainment.
He says two adults and two children can see a VooDoo home game for less than $25.
Orca Bay will promote the VooDoo through community-related events such as in-line skating demonstrations, says Penny.
The team will also work with the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association’s in-line program.
VooDoo sponsors include Pacific Press, publisher of The Vancouver Sun and The Province newspapers, Coca-Cola and Husky Oil.
rhi plays its games on a special plastic or treated concrete surface and its rules are broadly similar to its on-ice cousin.
