KAMLOOPS BALL HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
Who are you?
We are a not-for-profit society aimed at reducing the barriers of entry to hockey for participants of all ages and genders.
Can you tell us a little about your league and what you do?
The men’s competitive league has featured most of the prominent hockey players that grew up locally or played junior hockey here. Names like Mark Recchi, Don Hay, and Doug Lidster to more recent like Joe Hicketts, Brendan Ranford, Chad Butcher, Logan Stankoven, and Tyson Galloway. The league has long served as a training ground for elite ice hockey players, as well as a form of hockey that allows regular joe’s to compete with and against these elite hockey players.
How long has your league been operative?
The men’s league was originally established around 1970 and operated as just a men’s competitive league until 2019. In 2019, Zach Moffat founded the not-for-profit society and with the help of the directors, started creating options for youth and more recreational adults.
What location do your members primarily train?
During the spring, we typically play at McArthur Island Sportscenter on the NHL surface. Throughout the school year, we can be found renting various gyms around town to keep programming year-round. This year’s season we played entirely at Valleyview Arena which was great.
In one term, define your athletes
Passionate. From our youth registrants to our men’s competitive players, everyone absolutely loves going to the rink.
What are some of your proudest league successes or accomplishments that you'd want to be recognized?
In 2019, we hosted one of the most successful BC Ball Hockey Association Provincials Championships in history. We managed to get 400+ spectators over the course of the weekend and established a new standard for future hosts of the tournament. We are also extremely proud of expanding our offerings to youth as young as 7 years old and offering a coed adult recreation league for the first time this year.
What has your league been working on lately?
This year our focus was on having a successful season incorporating new programming with the limited floor time available due to Covid and a very limited dry-floor season in town. Our focus is now shifting to creating a roadmap for future goals and our pursuit of a permanent facility for groups in town like ourselves, lacrosse, and other groups without a home.
Do you have any individuals in your league that you'd want to recognize for their hard work and dedication?
Zach Moffat put in countless hours to grow the sport and navigate the Association through Covid which ultimately led to us being ready to complete a season the day facilities re-opened. It was short-lived, but a couple of months of ball hockey was something we all needed for our physical and mental wellbeing.
Additionally, we have such a long list of dedicated individuals that deserve recognition.
Directors and volunteers: Kyle Blais, Pam & Shawn Chatterley, Kyle Graham, Cory Johnstone, Scotty Mckenzie, and Steve Schultz.
Youth coaches and helpers: Adrian Conradi, Mark Smith, Kaden Moore
Officials: Kim Clow, Don Skinner, Rob Stevens, Devan Swaine, Doug Swaine
Anthony Renzetti for countless hours of photo and video, as well as sponsorship and advertising thanks to End of the Roll.
All managers of our 14 adult teams deserve recognition for their role in organizing and managing their teams.
How can people learn more about the league and become involved?
Kamloops Ball Hockey Association on Facebook Here
Kamloops Ball Hockey Association on Instagram Here
Kamloops Ball Hockey Association Website
Here
