The Ducks have spent $12M over the past six years on initiatives to "ensure that their standing in the market is not subject to the vagaries of the NHL standings," according to Billy Witz of the N.Y. TIMES. The Ducks have "bought and refurbished ice and roller rinks in the area, now with seven under their brand," and Ducks RW Corey Perry and C Ryan Getzlaf have "led free learn-how-to-play clinics." But the "centerpiece of those efforts is a burgeoning high school league the Ducks started and helped bankroll." The Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League "began nearly six years ago with a single team," and has "blossomed to 28 teams in two varsity divisions and a junior varsity division." Most of the teams "are in the Ducks' Orange County market." The Ducks "purchase all the equipment" for the teams for three years. They also "supply home and away uniforms, with the school colors and logo, but also with a small Ducks patch." By the fourth year, the high school team forms a BOD that "raises money and sets dues," and by the fifth year, a program "is on its own." Interest in the program "shows no sign of flagging" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/9).
