A group of local young hockey players are sporting a brand-new look around the locker room.
The Cowichan Valley Timberwolves, a pee wee house team of the Cowichan Valley Capitals, recently received specially designed T-shirts to wear during tournaments and other gatherings.
“They brainstormed different names and came up with the name Timberwolves, and from there, as a Christmas present, the management and the coach surprised them by having it designed,” said team co-manager Kym Whitefield.
Whitefield said the shirts have helped boost team morale.
While they still sport the Capitals logo on the ice at Fuller Lake Arena, their Timberwolves shirts help identify them as a group unit amid the other three local house teams.
“It makes them feel like a team united and that they’re all equal,” she said.
The design is a stick-carrying, teeth-gleaming wolf posing before a full moon, and it was thoughtfully crafted by Ladysmith’s Nevin Arnold.
“I was really pleased with the design — it came to life pretty naturally; it had a life of its own,” he said.
“I just wanted a really determined looking wolf ... something that was inspirational and motivational to empower the kids, something they’re excited to wear.”
The design and screen printing was the first official commercial job for Mr. Tee Graphics, which Arnold owns.
Arnold has been a freelance artist for the last 15 years.
He moved to the area three years ago, and now designs and produces his own apparel. Discount screen printing is offered to non-profit organizations.