And so we approach another Easter. In times gone by, we would be preparing ourselves for the festive treat that is the Rec Hockey Tournament.
That hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 happened for the past two years because of Covid-19. You can say what you want and you probably know how I feel about that. This year, though, itSA国际影视传媒檚 a whole new ball game. There are no more restrictions on masks in facilities, no more gathering limits, no anything. For the first time in more than two years, we can actually go somewhere and not have someone give us a dirty look because we had the nerve to not sport some sort of nose-and-mouth garb (many probably still will because thatSA国际影视传媒檚 how some people work in this town).
So that means we can have the Rec Hockey Tournament, right? Wrong. It probably wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be happening. In fact, ISA国际影视传媒檓 willing to wager good money that we wonSA国际影视传媒檛 see anything resembling it for a while and itSA国际影视传媒檚 not because of Covid-19. Sure, you can blame the SA国际影视传媒榬ona for the last two years of cancellations but not this year, kids. There are a couple of reasons and hereSA国际影视传媒檚 the first: not enough officials. This was actually confirmed to me by a member of the Yk Rec Hockey LeagueSA国际影视传媒檚 executive SA国际影视传媒� simply not enough bodies to ensure games can happen. Now, I can hear some of you saying they can simply fly in officials from Alberta or B.C., or maybe some folks from Nunavut would make the trip over. That wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be happening simply because the cost would be so prohibitive, the tournament would lose its shirt.
Believe me SA国际影视传媒� ISA国际影视传媒檝e had to schedule and book travel and hotels for umpires in the past for softball tournaments. It isnSA国际影视传媒檛 cheap.
Yes, the league would have to eat the costs of flying in officials, putting them up in hotels and paying a per diem of some sort, not to mention game fees. I donSA国际影视传媒檛 know what the going rate is in places such as Alberta or B.C. at the present time but calculate a return flight from Edmonton to Yellowknife, four nights hotel accommodation, $100 per diem and roughly $60 per game (minimum eight games). All for one official. Now, multiply that sum by at least 12. YouSA国际影视传媒檒l find thatSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of ice capps.
Host a clinic, you say? Easier said than done. It wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be feasible to have a clinic right before a big tournament like this one and expect it to be successful. Even if you put those officials in the lower divisions, it wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be good. You have teams paying good money to come into Yellowknife for a weekend and the least you can do is give them officials who have some game experience. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 not an insult to officials, itSA国际影视传媒檚 a matter of fact. I would never throw a fresh, new umpire to the wolves of a senior menSA国际影视传媒檚 fastball tournament without first making sure that that umpire had a few games under their shirt.
HereSA国际影视传媒檚 the second reason: probably no one has stepped forward to organize it. The two main organizers SA国际影视传媒� Dave Earle and Dan Schofield SA国际影视传媒� are no longer doing it. Schofield has retired to B.C. and Earle has most likely done his bit for Queen and country. Both men had been involved for as long as ISA国际影视传媒檝e been living in this part of the world and ISA国际影视传媒檝e seen the work that goes into making sure it went off as seamlessly as it appeared. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e talking 40 teams across five divisions, scheduling games, securing the ice, getting the beer garden ready, confirming the officials, etc.
It isnSA国际影视传媒檛 a one-person job. Earle and Schofield had plenty of help over the years, but they were the main drivers behind getting everything in place. It isnSA国际影视传媒檛 something you throw together the week before SA国际影视传媒� your planning for this begins as soon as the city releases its ice schedules for the season.
So thatSA国际影视传媒檚 why I donSA国际影视传媒檛 think the Rec Hockey Tournament will be happening this year, or for the near future. I take no pleasure in saying it because no one wants to see this tournament happen more than I do. The Balsillie Cup oldtimers tournament is scheduled to take place in some fashion this year SA国际影视传媒� ISA国际影视传媒檝e been told around mid-April SA国际影视传媒� so thereSA国际影视传媒檚 that to look forward to.
As for the rec tournament, who knows? ItSA国际影视传媒檚 all up to you, folks.
