Is junior-level hockey sustainable in Barrhead? In my opinion, the answer is yes.
In my hometown of Creston B.C., a junior hockey team of some form has always existed.
Currently, it is the home of the Creston Valley Thunder Cats, which play in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL), a Junior ‘B’ league.
For those of you not familiar with Creston, it is a town of just over 5,000 people and has a surrounding population of about the same. And you don’t have to look far to find other examples of similarly sized communities that with junior-level hockey teams.
Nor is Barrhead a stranger to junior hockey, being home to the Junior ‘B’ Elks, from the late 60s to early 90s.
The real question is: does the community want such a team? If they do, they need to step up and make their voice known by attending the Western States Hockey League information night and volunteer.
I admit I haven’t always been a big fan of junior hockey, the biggest reason being is that it’s a business, even though the majority of people who make a junior hockey run (from the players to the ticket takers, ushers, et cetera) are volunteers, while the owner makes all the money.
This one will be a little bit different in that the players pay to play, but other than that the business model is the same.
So why am I suggesting the community support this endeavour now? Because it will be good for the community. Money will come into the community. It will come from the young men who put on Barrhead’s colours as well as the visiting teams and fans.
Since I have been in Barrhead, I can’t count how many times I have heard that more needs to be done to attract more economic development. Well here’s a chance to play your part.
Admittedly, this is not the type of junior hockey franchise I pictured coming to town, tuition and import player-based. Nor did I envision the drama that has come with this one.
As for the possible court challenge from the Western Provinces Hockey Association (WPHA), I am not a legal expert, but from my perspective, a deal isn’t a deal until the contract is signed.
At the end of their June 11 meeting, councillors learned about the media reports suggesting there was a potential issue between the WHPA and the Town of Hinton and they decided to do more research before making a final decision. What they found out was never made public, but it is clear they weren’t comfortable with what they found.
Nonetheless, a community our size doesn’t get a lot of opportunities to bring in a junior calibre franchise. The last time such an opportunity presented itself was back in 2003 when then-mayor Brian Schulz tried to convince council to make a run at the St. Albert Saints.
At the time, the Saints were looking for a new home as their arena and parking were inadequate to their needs. Needless to say, since the Saints are now in Spruce Grove, we weren’t successful. But now we have another chance.
