‘START YOUR ENGINES’: Regiment host public practice ahead of season opener

Hundreds of eager fans flocked to Mary Brown’s Centre on Saturday morning as the Newfoundland Regiment hosted a free open practice ahead of the club’s season-opening contest, taking place this upcoming Friday. 

With the Regiment kicking off its second season in the QMJHL at home on September 18 against the Saint John Sea Dogs, Regiment Head Coach Gordie Dwyer opened the doors to the public for a lengthy two-hour practice session, during which he grabbed a microphone and addressed the fans in attendance to share messages about building upon the club’s inaugural season and continuing to grow the fanbase.

“We wanted to showcase our players and their speed and their skill,” Dwyer told NLSN.

“It’s one thing for fans to be able to come down and watch a game but it’s different to come and watch a practice and realize how quick these guys are moving out there and see the skills they all have. I think it was pretty exciting for the fans… and we got the workload in that we wanted for a Saturday.”

Dwyer teed up a handful of of the drills that the fans would be watching, and launched into a guttural cry of ‘START YOUR ENGINES!’ when announcing that the team would be taking part in a relay race.

“That just came out naturally,” Dwyer laughed. 

“None of that was planned or rehearsed. It was fun to interact with the fans. It’s fun to see them. We’re trying to be fully transparent about what we’re doing. We have a lot of good young hockey players that are here and they’re excited to be a part of the community.”

The Regiment’s second season in the QMJHL kicks off on Friday, September 18 as Newfoundland hosts top NHL draft prospect Alexis Joseph and the Saint John Sea Dogs at the Mary Brown’s centre at 7:00 p.m.