Report: Maineiacs to get acquainted with Summerside over the weekend

Just when you thought we were out, they pull us back in.

According to a report by the Journal-Pioneer's Mike Carlson, the Lewiston Maineiacs will be taking a tour of Summerside this weekend when they are in town to face Prince Edward Island.

“On Saturday they’re in Charlottetown and will play the game down there and on Saturday they’re going to come up and stay here,” said Summerside Chief Administrative Officer Terry Murphy. “This is a chance to get to expose the area and a chance to show them around and the rest of the people that are in the Q the good things we have here.”

(This is akin to telling your friend that you are taking her boyfriend out for dinner, letting him get to third base, and expecting her to be OK with it.)

This, of course, is going to lead to renewed speculation that the Maineiacs are headed out of town.

Bill Schurman, managing consultant and Governor of the Maineiacs says not to be alarmed by this.

"The last time we came through the maritimes we stopped in Amherst, visiting schools and their local arena, waving our flag and learning the culture," said Schurman. " It was well reported in local media there."

"I spent more than 25 years developing sports tourism in PEI and Summerside. I helped with thousands of volunteers, [and] attract to the Island many national and international events, Major Junior teams, College teams, AHL teams, and even NHL teams," continued Schurman. "Our captain (Cameron Critchlow) was born there, in fact four members of our organization were born there. The Island is 140 miles long. If we did not visit, it would be less than polite. We will be very proud to show our team where we come from and if we can help in anyway to promote the community while there, we will not hesitate."

"As the only US-based team in the Q, we are also visiting Province house, Charlottetown city hall, the Premier's office and hospitals in both Charlottetown and Summerside promoting our state," Schurman explained. "[It's about] the sport and adding character to our players. Can't stop people from thinking what they want to think, however this is what we normally do when on the road."