Skip to content

‘Free Fred’: Penticton Vees coach stuck on a treadmill until 30 new season tickets sold

The team launched its new season-ticket campaign on Wednesday morning, Aug. 31
30246974_web1_220907-PWN-VeesTreadmill-HarbinsonTreadmill_1
Penticton Vees head coach, general manager and president Fred Harbinson first stepped on a treadmill at 9 a.m. Wednesday, in the name of selling 30 new season tickets. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

There’s no telling how long Fred Harbinson will be jogging on a treadmill Wednesday, Aug. 31.

As part of the team’s 2022-2023 season-ticket campaign, the Penticton Vees’ coach, general manager and president is stuck on a treadmill in front of the South Okanagan Events Centre until 30 new year-long stubs are sold.

Harbinson stepped on the treadmill at 9 a.m., with the team managing to sell seven new season tickets by the time 10 a.m. came around.

“It’s about attracting people who aren’t necessarily hockey fans as well,” the B.C. Hockey League’s reigning Coach of the Year said while on the treadmill. “That’s why we have got to get creative with these things.”

The Vees launched a similar campaign ahead of the 2019-2020 season. Harbinson was stuck in the city’s iconic peach and remained inside until a certain number of milkshakes were sold.

“If the number of milkshakes weren’t sold before the closing time of 6 p.m., I’d have to sleep there,” he recalled with a laugh.

Officially dubbed as “Free Fred,” the campaign invites community members to stop by the SOEC Wednesday and purchase their year-long tickets for the 2022-2023 season.

Penticton will raise its recently-acquired Fred Page Cup championship banner on Sept. 23 when they host the Trail Smoke Eaters for the team’s regular-season opener.

The Vees will be back in action this Saturday, Sept. 3 for their annual interquad Peaches Cup. Games will feature returning players, as well as new recruits starting at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday’s intersquad action is free to attend.

Per the rules of Wednesday’s campaign, Harbinson can only return to his coaching duties once 30 new season tickets are sold.

The 2022 Fred Page Cup champions, the Penticton Vees, selling tickets ahead of the 2022-2023 campaign. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
The 2022 Fred Page Cup champions, the Penticton Vees, selling tickets ahead of the 2022-2023 campaign. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

READ MORE: Penticton Vees announce return of Peaches Cup


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com