Last season, the Yk Rec Hockey League kicked things off with 25 people allowed to play. It made for short benches, interesting shifts and the loss of a couple of teams because of the rules.
This season is a bit different, thanks to the rules the league has been given, and some of the players are appreciative of the chance to play hockey.
The league raised the curtain on its new season at the Multiplex on Saturday evening as the Weaver and Devore Marauders took on SutherlandSA国际影视传媒檚, a team which has been around for a while but with a new name. SutherlandSA国际影视传媒檚 got off on the right foot with an 8-3 win.
For Brad Mueller, SutherlandSA国际影视传媒檚 captain, it was a sigh of relief to return to play.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e all been dying to get a chance to play again,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he big thing for us was seeing some of the guys you havenSA国际影视传媒檛 seen in a while and it was rough going but just great to get back out and play again.SA国际影视传媒�
The league is operating with an exemption from the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO), which allows for up to 50 people in a rink at one time, provided people can show proof of vaccination from Covid-19.
Charles Wyman, the leagueSA国际影视传媒檚 president, said itSA国际影视传媒檚 so far, so good following the opening weekend of play.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e viewed all league membersSA国际影视传媒� vaccination passports in advance of this season (so) this should not be an issue,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he opening weekend (was) successful, teams have been following the guidelines and I expect this to continue.SA国际影视传媒�
Ryan Nichols, who captains Weaver and Devore, said having plenty of players on the ice as opposed to a limited roster is much more agreeable.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 good to have a full roster,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 no fun playing with just six or seven guys out there or whatever number. I think weSA国际影视传媒檙e all just excited to be back.SA国际影视传媒�
As with any new season, there are times when you wonder if it was worth getting back out there and Nichols admitted that he was feeling it the next day.
SA国际影视传媒淚 was sore the next morning, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 for sure,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 all those muscles getting back into shape after not playing for a while. ItSA国际影视传媒檒l take a few games to get back into shape and I think thatSA国际影视传媒檚 the case for a lot of the guys.SA国际影视传媒�
The reason for the aches? No pre-season skates beforehand, added Nichols.
SA国际影视传媒淭eams usually get in one or two practices before things start but once the (gathering limit) exemption came in, we just got right back out,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Mueller agreed with that sentiment.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was the first time out there for a lot of us (this season) and some of us were in survival mode as the game went on,SA国际影视传媒� he said with a laugh. SA国际影视传媒淚t was just satisfying more than anything and ISA国际影视传媒檓 sure weSA国际影视传媒檒l all be back in shape the more we play.SA国际影视传媒�
As for the rules in place, Mueller said theySA国际影视传媒檙e there for a reason and the players will abide by them.
SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檙e in place so we can play and we have to do our part,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Wyman said so long as there are no more Covid outbreak-related stoppages, there should be a full season. Nichols said he hopes that would lead to the Canadian North Rec Hockey Tournament being played, something that hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 happened in the past two years.
SA国际影视传媒淓ven if itSA国际影视传媒檚 something where we have to keep it local, ISA国际影视传媒檓 sure the guys would go for it but weSA国际影视传媒檒l see where we are by then,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 just hope we keep on playing.SA国际影视传媒�
