Along with their fans, the Nipawin Hawks' financial status also enjoyed their 2018 championship campaign. (Facebook/Nipawin Hawks).

By Aaron Schulze

Hawks in the Black

Hawks unveil financial statement after 2018 championship run

Jun 19, 2019 | 12:01 PM

The Nipawin Hawks’ 2017-18 was a memorable season on the ice and in the bank.

It was a year that saw the team hoisting the Canalta Cup as Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) champions and play for the Anavet Cup.

During their annual general meeting (AGM) at Centennial Arena on June 18, the Hawks’ financial statement for 2017-18 was unveiled. Due to the Hawks’ fiscal year ending before their AGM, the audited financial statement doesn’t get completed and unveiled until the following year.

Four best-of-seven series of playoff revenue brought in well over $100,000 for the Hawks, which left their revenue over expenses more than 10 times what was budgeted and more than five times what was left after 2017, sitting at over $40,000.

Net assets doubled to over $104,000 with an increased cash flow of over $80,000.

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While the playoff revenue made the Hawks more financially stable, some spectators in the crowd expressed concern. The Hawks would have been sitting at a near $90,000 deficit if they didn’t make the playoffs, according to Board of Directors’ secretary Tim Verklan. A key factor to the potential deficit was fundraising revenues being down nearly $80,000 of what was budgeted.

Terry Farden, president of the Hawks Board of Directors, told northeastNOW the board – which has six new members replacing people who are stepping down – is thinking of new fundraising ideas to go along with their Ag Venture, awards gala, and fishing tournament events.

“We won’t be relying on playoffs because you never know what’s going to happen,” Farden said. “This year, we were pegged to finish near the bottom. Doug iced a team and we finished at the top but got wiped out in the first round. We’re not at a financial crisis, but we were many years ago, so we want to try and keep our heads above water for the years to come.”

Before Head Coach and General Manager Doug Johnson joined the Hawks in 2010, the hockey club was over $100,000 in debt. Now, only $16,000 remains and is projected to be paid off by 2021.

Farden said Johnson completely turned the Hawks around, which made re-signing him to a three-year contract extension the board of directors’ main goal.

“We had a lot of years where it was chaos to say the least,” Farden said. “Doug brought in a strong will and the players follow him. We’ve had players come this year for their last season and say they wished they were here since they were 17. The structure he brings is phenomenal, so we were really looking forward to getting Doug signed. It took a bit, but we got him signed and we’re going to keep him long term.”

As a coach for nearly 20 years, Johnson said he knows what playoff revenue can do for a hockey club’s stability and welcomes the pressure to succeed that comes with it.

“It’s the bread and butter for all sports franchises, not just junior hockey,” Johnson said. “I’m probably harder on myself than anybody. We want to win, and the players want to win. We’ve had a pretty darn good run and want to keep it going.”

The Hawks’ 2018-19 financial statement won’t be unveiled until their AGM in 2020. In the meantime, Johnson said player transactions and the hiring of a new assistant coach will be announced over the summer months until hockey season returns in the fall.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow