Digger's done

From The Daily News of Friday, March 28, 2008 . . .

The Kamloops Blazers’ season had hardly ended Wednesday night when an
incoming e-mail brought the news.
“I was just at the hockey game,” read the message, “and found out some
disturbing news. Digger is retiring . . . so many kids are sad thanks to
this.”
The e-mail was signed: “Bummed out mom comforting a very upset child.”
Dave Chyzowski, the Blazers’ director of marketing, confirmed the news
Thursday afternoon. Digger, the WHL team’s long-time mascot, is done; at
least, this version of Digger is finished.
“I don’t know if he’s getting disappointed that he’s not able to be as
visible and active as he used to be, or what,” Chyzowski said, pointing out
that Perry Coutts (aka Digger) isn’t as young as he used to be. “He has told
me a couple of times he can’t do it anymore, he’s disgruntled about this and
that.”
Coutts couldn’t be reached for comment prior to last night’s press-time.
Chyzowski confirmed that the team hopes to recognize Digger in some fashion
early next season.
“We want to try to say, ‘We understand that you’re not going to be doing it
anymore. You know what, we want to recognize you here,’ “ Chyzowski said.
“We’re going to figure something out here in the next few weeks. We want to
recognize him and thank him for all he’s done. He’s been around for like 20
years.”
Chyzowski said he and majority owner Tom Gaglardi discussed the matter of
recognition yesterday morning.
“We’ve got to do something to recognize him and we’re going to do that,”
Chyzowski said. “I think we might do something where he drops the puck at
the first game next season, comes out and says goodbye to everybody.
“I’m going to sit down with him and see what we can do.”
Chyzowski added that there will be a mascot of some sort in place when the
2008-09 season opens.
“The part of Digger that everybody raved about was how visible he was,”
Chyzowski said. “It’s not easy going up and down those stairs and I’m only
37. He’s in his 50s. I think the biggest thing is to get some youth in
there, to get somebody who is young and enthusiastic like he was.
“It’s going to be tough to replace him because he is a Blazer at heart. You
can’t just find that, especially nowadays.”
Chyzowski said he wouldn’t be surprised if management chooses to have its
next mascot follow in Diggers paw prints.
“I think in all fairness to Digger, the costume . . . I think we should keep
Digger the dog and maybe modify it a little bit,” Chyzowski said.
One thing, however, is for certain — there will be a mascot.
“Absolutely,” Chyzowski said.

gdrinnan@kamloopsnews.ca