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Barrhead Minor Hockey Association prepares for upcoming season

Association president Tyler Fitzpatrick said they are excited that the kids will have a chance to play in meaningful games after a long pandemic caused hiatus
Rusty Skates copy
A group of young hockey players get instructions from their coaches during a Sept. 1 Rusty Skate conditioning session at the Barrhead Agrena. The Barrhead Minor Hockey Association held the Rusty Skate conditioning sessions on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, so the prospective hockey players could shake off some of the rust before going into tryouts on the Sept. 10, 11 and 12 weekend.

BARRHEAD-Knock on wood, or perhaps in this case, plexiglass.

For the first time in close to two years, come Oct. 1, young hockey players will have a chance to play in a regular game.

At least that is what Barrhead Minor Hockey Association (BMHA) president Tyler Fitzpatrick hopes will happen.

Whether or not it does, remains to be seen.

"Things are progressing. Right now, there are no outlying [public health] restrictions that would impede having our season," he said, adding when it comes to COVID-19 and public health restrictions, that could change quickly. "But we are hopeful that we will continue to proceed as planned and we can get the kids back on the ice and playing regular league games."

And they are well on their way.

Fitzpatrick noted that the association is in the middle of its Rusty Blades camp, a conditioning camp that allows players to shake off the rust before tryouts, which will take place on the weekend of Sept. 10, 11 and 12.

The association has enough players to have two teams, with teams having between 10 and 15 skaters, at most age levels, including U9, U11, U13 and U18. The only exception is the U15 team, which only has enough players registered for one team.

However, Fitzpatrick expects that could change by the start of the pre-season and Tiering games, which start on the previously mentioned Oct. 1.

"We are close to having enough players for two teams," he said, adding the odds are good that they will pick up the required numbers.

Fitzpatrick said often there are players from nearby communities looking for places to play and that the association could see another influx of players after the Town of Barrhead's Make a Connection Night.

The annual event, which takes place at the curling rink, gives community groups, businesses and organizations the chance to let area residents know what they offer, especially youth recreation programming.

When the play starts in earnest on Oct. 1, the first series of games will be for tiering.

Tiering is a process where the Northern Alberta Interlock (NAI) League evaluates its teams and decides what development level they are at so they can compete against squads or players at a similar skill level.

"We've become pretty good as a board at tiering our teams because a lot of us have seen a lot of these kids by playing, coaching or just watching them over the last few years," Fitzpatrick said, admitting this might be more difficult this season during the extended layoff between meaningful games.

Fitzpatrick added the association is pleased that the Barrhead Bombers, a Tier II Junior team playing in the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) will be returning. The 2019-2020 season was the Bombers' inaugural season and like the BMHA and the NAI, had to call the 2019-2020 season short due to the pandemic.

"It is a good thing for the community. Hopefully, we can work together with them," he said, noting they are off to a good start.

During a meeting the town's park and recreation department had with users of the ice rink, Fitzpatrick said the Bombers agreed to work with the BMHA and their ice requirements.

"One of the things that we have always had is Steelers games on Friday nights," he said. The Steelers is the association's top-tiered U18 team. "The owner agreed to push any of their games back, to allow us to have that ice-time."

At times, the relationship between the BMHA and the Bombers' management team was strained over periodic conflicts over ice-time and dressing room usage.

As for Fitzpatrick and the rest of the BMHA, they are just excited that the kids will be able to take to the ice once again.

"The last year and a half has been difficult on everyone," he said. "We are just excited that we are able to be back on the ice and give the kids the opportunity to do something they love."

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com

 


Barry Kerton

About the Author: Barry Kerton

Barry Kerton is the managing editor of the Barrhead Leader, joining the paper in 2014. He covers news, municipal politics and sports.
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