There is a familiar face with a big smile sitting at a table on the main course selling tickets on steaks at every home game for the Corner Brook Royals.
Josephine Snooks-Pearcey will tell you she has no idea why hockey became one of her favourite things to watch, but she is proud of the fact that she’s been a diehard supporter of the Corner Brook Royals for 10 years.
“I just got hooked on hockey and I’ve been hooked ever since,” she said Saturday night before the Royals eked out a 10-6 win over the Port aux Basques Mariners in the team’s home opener.
It’s a love for the game that keeps her engaged, for sure the friendships she has made from following the team are appreciated, but it’s also about enjoying giving back to the community.
“Without volunteers, things can’t run. You need volunteers to make anything work,” she said.
She is on hand for all home games and she ventures out on the road to travel to Stephenville and Port aux Basques, and Deer Lake in the past, when the weather is fit to move.
Senior hockey has had its share of ups and downs over the years, but seeing the Royals on the ice is something the Corner Brook woman believes the local economy benefits from having people coming in from out of town watching the games.
More important to her though is the opportunity to watch local guys grow up through the game. She loves the fact league organizers understand the value in having families in the rink watching their own play the game.
“No more of those big wigs being brought in. The local boys are getting a chance to play and I really like that,” she said.
