by Kayleigh MacKay, LondonOntarioSports.com
Photo: London Raiders’ website banner. Courtesy London Raiders Hockey.
London’s Red Circle Hockey Club (est. 1971) is now officially London Raiders Hockey.
For 55 years, the Stronach Arena-housed minor hockey organization held its original moniker. Now, the co-ed house league is changing its name to the same branding used by its select teams over the past few seasons. The overall rebranding will be phased in over the next several seasons, according to league executives. It’s website now carries the Raiders logo.
Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Eric Lindros and current Los Angeles Kings defenceman Drew Doughty both played Red Circle hockey, a staple of minor sports in London’s Huron Heights community. During recent seasons, the club has expanded its in-house development program while partnering with groups including Snipe Academy to run year-round clinics.
Organization executives said the name change makes sense as it better brands the group while shedding a second-tier image, and concurrently beefing up its player and coach development offerings.
Currently, the league provides twice-weekly ice time for players ages 4 to 20. And while it’s embedded in the northeast London neighbourhood, there are no residential boundaries.
