Having any junior hockey last season was a minor miracle considering that so many other athletes were on the outside looking in thanks to the pandemic.

Ethan Anstey was one of the lucky ones as the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) played a very truncated schedule and heSA国际影视传媒檚 very much looking forward to a full one this time around.

The 19-year-old from Yellowknife is back with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the AJHL for his second season. Training camp began back on Aug. 20 with Anstey and his teammates getting put through their paces, though it hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been a complete boot camp.

At least not yet, said Anstey.

SA国际影视传媒淭he workouts are gradually increasing,SA国际影视传媒� he said this past Monday. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 hard for the coaching staff to bag us when thereSA国际影视传媒檚 30 guys at camp but itSA国际影视传媒檚 slowly getting cut down. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e still getting into game shape and weSA国际影视传媒檙e getting up to speed.SA国际影视传媒�

Anstey did get in a bit of time on the ice before leaving for Fort McMurray as he joined in on the Yellowknife Sporting ClubSA国际影视传媒檚 annual summer camp last month. He was part of the junior high-performance group along with players such as Logan Cunningham, Alex Cordero, Liam Tereposky, Sam Schofield, Lonan Bulger, Brady Seabrook, Emmery Golchert and Anthony Duhamel.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey put on a good clinic for us up there,SA国际影视传媒� said Anstey.

The 2021 AJHL season consisted of just 24 games for each team, all done in cohorts based on region SA国际影视传媒� North or South Division SA国际影视传媒� with no playoffs or championship awarded. Anstey managed to find the back of the net once and assisted on two others for three points.

This season, Anstey said the team is preparing for a long campaign.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e just going to do our best to stay loose and stay healthy,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

AnsteySA国际影视传媒檚 role on the team last season was centering a checking line which was dispatched to go up against the oppositionSA国际影视传媒檚 top line on a majority of shifts and give the team a boost of energy.

For this season, Anstey said he doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 yet know what his role will be.

SA国际影视传媒淚 havenSA国际影视传媒檛 talked to the coach about that,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 the kind of player who likes to go out and get the momentum back for our team.SA国际影视传媒�

For purposes of Covid-19, the AJHL will be playing under the guidelines set out by Hockey Alberta. As it stands, there are no restrictions of any sort from the provinceSA国际影视传媒檚 chief medical officer of health in terms of dressing room capacity, the amount of players on the ice or caps on attendance.

Vaccinations are not mandatory for players, though Anstey said he was getting his second vaccination today.

SA国际影视传媒淟ast season was all about staying away from close contact and isolating if anyone caught it,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭his year, if you have your two shots, youSA国际影视传媒檙e fine. If you have one vaccination and you come into contact with someone who has it, itSA国际影视传媒檚 seven days in isolation and itSA国际影视传媒檚 14 days if you arenSA国际影视传媒檛 vaccinated at all. ISA国际影视传媒檓 just hoping I donSA国际影视传媒檛 come into contact at all.SA国际影视传媒�

But things are still iffy with Covid-19, he added, and he knows things could come crashing down at any moment.

SA国际影视传媒淚 hope it has no effect on us this year but you never know,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 just happy to be back here and do Yellowknife proud.SA国际影视传媒�

Anstey and the Oil Barons kicked off the pre-season on Wednesday versus the Spruce Grove Saints and followed that up yesterday against the Olds Grizzlys.