Hockey fans can expect a fast, hard-hitting style of hockey.
That is what Barrhead Bombers general manager and head coach Todd White said when asked what hockey fans can expect to see from the team in its inaugural season in the Western States Hockey League (WSHL).
The WSHL is a Tier II, Junior A hockey league based mostly in the States. It differs from conventional Canadian leagues in that it allows a large percentage of team’s roster to include imports, players from other than North America. The other difference is that it is a tuition-based league where players have to pay to play. Barrhead will play in a Canadian division with teams in Edson, Cold Lake, Hinton and Meadow Lake, Sask.
“We are on schedule. Right now we have 19 players, 15 skaters and four goaltenders, signed,” White said, noting he hopes to have two more skaters under contract within the week and that he hopes to have the majority of the roster cemented in by the time they play their first home game.
Because the WSHL isn’t affiliated with Hockey Canada, they are not able to sign agreements with affiliate minor hockey associations and call upon local teams such as the Barrhead Midget Steelers for emergency fill-ins in case of injury.
He also added the Bombers were starting to become a more cohesive unit.
As for how the preseason has progressed, White said as well as could be expected.
Although on paper the Bombers are a team with a long history, being in existence in some fashion for more than 25 years in Long Beach, Calif, they are in reality an expansion team.
“It’s a learning process that is for sure,” he said, noting before the season his players who come from multiple countries had never skated together before.
However, he said they are coming together nicely as demonstrated in their first exhibition game Sept. 14, a 5-3 road loss against the Hinton Timberwolves — a team that iced a largely veteran squad.
Although the Timberwolves are new to the league, much of their roster, White said, was made up of players who played for the Hinton Wildcats the previous year.
The Town of Hinton terminated the Wildcats lease at the end of last season, citing they breached the agreement for the non-payment of fees. The Wildcats have initiated court action against the municipality and are hoping to be able to play this season in the Western Division of the Greater Metro Hockey League (GMHL), based mainly in Ontario.
“The boys did a lot of good things,” he said. “Things that we can build upon.”
The Bombers will play one more exhibition game in Edson before opening their season with a pair of home games on Oct. 4 and 5 against the Cold Lake Hornets.
As for what fans can expect from the Bombers, White said they will be very quick and hard-hitting.
“After that, we will see. That is what we play the games for,” he said.
