The Nanaimo Clippers have added alumni Spencer Hewson to their operation in the role of Director of Business Operations and Player Development. (Dan Marshall/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Dan Marshall

All Business

Alumni Spencer Hewson returns to Clippers in front office role

Sep 18, 2025 | 10:39 AM

NANAIMO — The Nanaimo Clippers have reached back into their past to bolster the business side of the hockey club.

Alumni Spencer Hewson has taken on the role of director of business operations and player development.

Hewson was a Clipper from 2013 to 2017 and went on to play college hockey at Colby College in Maine.

The Vernon native then earned degrees in law and business from the University of Ottawa.

Hewson has hit the ground running after joining the team in early September.

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“My primary focus is on the business side of things, but I’m excited to get to know the players and help them out and try to pass on some of the things that I learned when I was here and from my playing career afterwards. Not only the Clippers, but the city of Nanaimo is such a great place and getting to grow up here changed my life, so when I had the opportunity to come back, I jumped all over it.”

The Clippers are looking for new and better ways to connect with fans, sponsors and the local community.

“I’ve got some big ideas and it all starts with getting back engaged with the community and getting engaged with our alumni network. Nanaimo’s got such a rich history and those are two things with untapped potential.”

On the ice, the Clippers begin their 2025-26 hockey season with a home game against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.

The game coincides with the VIEx, which will also be at Beban Park.

Hewson hopes the two events will help each other to draw bigger crowds while he acknowledged it could mean longer lineups at the door.

“Try to show up early and be patient with the situation. We’re doing everything we can to make it run as smoothly as possible. But it is two big events sharing the same parking lot.”

Hewson said the team is taking steps to encourage fans to attend both events with two dollars off their tickets.

“If you have a VIEx ticket and you come to the game, you’re going to get a discount on your Clippers ticket, and if you have a Clippers ticket and you show that when you’re entering the VIEx you’ll get a discount there. If you’re in the area, you might as well check both out.”

There will also be a free shuttle to the Friday game between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. from the Mid-Island Co-op to Frank Crane Arena and a VIEx shuttle from Nanaimo North Town Centre to Beban Park starting at noon.

Full information about the Clippers’ home opener is available on the team website.

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