When Tina Gibson first went to the South Okanagan Events Centre in September of 2011, she instantly fell in love with the Penticton Vees.
It only took a few moments for her to realize that she wanted to be a Vees season-ticket holder. And sure enough, the next time she attended a game, it wasn鈥檛 as a casual fan 鈥� it was as a season-ticket holder and full-time Penticton hockey watcher.
Originally from Edmonton, a love for sports runs deep in the Gibson family. But now, it鈥檚 about making sure she knows the ones closest to her are aware of how much the Vees really mean to her.
鈥淓verybody knows the team means the world to me,鈥� she explained. 鈥淭hey mean so much and I go crazy when we don鈥檛 have a game.
鈥淚 do have a brain injury, so I only remember highlights in my life and the Vees and Fred (Harbinson) are a big part of that.鈥�
The Vees superfan hasn鈥檛 missed being at a game in 10 years. The enthusiasm of the players and the energy they bring to the ice every night is something that she鈥檒l never get sick of.
鈥淭hey play for the love of the game,鈥� Gibson said. 鈥淭he kids are so enthused with it and I love it. With the way the world is going, it just warms my heart.鈥�
Gibson has made several memories at the Vees鈥� home over the last decade but there鈥檚 one moment in particular that she鈥檒l never forget.
Players on the Vees have been responsible in the past for personally handing out tickets to season-long members in the community. And when Gibson went to pick up her season tickets at the start of this season, each and every member of the team recognized her as the superfan.
鈥淎s soon as I walked into the arena, they all knew me right away,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淭hey knew who I was and even with the year where I wasn鈥檛 able to go to the games (because of the pandemic), they still knew who I was and that meant a lot.鈥�
The superfan describes going to Vees home games as her happy place but she still has one wish she hopes one day will come true.
鈥淚 wish I can get all of Penticton behind (the Vees). I know we have a lot of fans but if I could get the whole town there, I鈥檇 be happy.鈥�
The Vees are back on the ice next on when they visit the West 91大黄鸭 Warriors for the second consecutive game.
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com
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