It’s been a few months since our last newsletter, so let me start by saying what a highlight it was for me to see our hockey season wrap up with champions crowned, and then to be able to hold an in-person AGM in Penticton in June. We conducted the business we came to conduct at the AGM, and it was wonderful to get together and connect (and re-connect) in person at our Congress. For those of you who were able to make it, I am sure you’ll agree that the seminars, the social events, the amazing awards ceremony, and the inspirational words from Matt Symes and Micah Zandee-Hart made the weekend an exceptional one. Mark your calendars now for June 9-10, 2023, when we will gather again.
For now…. It’s… ah….summer? I’m old enough to remember a time when summer meant that we all forgot about hockey for awhile and turned our attention to summer things. Like baseball or soccer or just the joy of being out of school and free to enjoy warmer weather. Then, in early September, we’d go down to the basement, or out to the shed, dig out our skates and hockey gear, see what still fit (and what didn’t), and get ready for another season! Well, those days seem quaint by today’s standards. Just look around - summer leagues, skills camps, clinics of all types, and for all ages. We just held our own BC Hockey POE camps, female and male, with scores of athletes gathering in Penticton. Internationally, the Hlinka-Gretzky U18 tournament is underway (as I type this) and the (delayed) 2022 World Juniors are about to begin, followed by the IIHF Women’s World Championship at the end of August in Denmark. Hockey is everywhere - which I suppose is better than what we had in the last two years, where it was often nowhere!
Speaking of summer hockey, we are excited to once again be offering a 50/50 draw in conjunction with the World Juniors. This time around it will be one cumulative pot, growing throughout the tournament, with a draw at the end – so if you have interest, watch our social media and spread the word. For this draw, 100% of the net proceeds generated from tickets bought in B.C. will go directly to BC Hockey member programs targeting female hockey at the grassroots level. So, good luck, but even if you don’t win the jackpot, you’ll have contributed to a terrific cause.
Anyhow, that’s enough from me. It’s supposed to be summer, after all. Sure, the hockey season has expanded, little by little, into a nearly year-round activity for a lot of families. So long as we continue to seek balance, find ways to recharge, and keep hockey in perspective, I have no issue with that. You know, over the years I’ve asked plenty of great hockey players about the most important thing they do in the summer, to prepare for next season. Nearly all of them start with one simple piece of advice: Get off your skates for a while. Stay active but do something different. Come back to hockey refreshed.
I think that’s good advice. So, as summer turns to fall a month from now…
…see you at the rink,
Cam
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Stephanie White Elected as New Chair of the Board at 2022 Annual General Meeting |
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BC Hockey wrapped-up our first in-person Annual Congress since 2019 in June! The event was highlighted by our Annual General Meeting (AGM) which saw Stephanie White elected by the membership as the new Chair of the Board of Directors! Congratulations Stephanie!
Click the link below to watch the full 2022 BC Hockey AGM.
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BC Hockey Wraps Up 2022 Awards Gala! |
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The 2022 BC Hockey Annual Congress was concluded with the 2022 Awards Gala, a ceremony which saw individuals from across our branch be honoured with awards and honorary designations, such as three new BC Hockey Life Members!
Thank you to everyone who attended and made the event so memorable. Click the button below to watch the recording of the event and re-live the entire Awards Gala. The BC Hockey Awards Banquet Program is also linked below so you can read more about this year’s award winners!
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$5.00 HU Online Officiating Course & Player Registration Kicks Off Across the Province! |
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Even though the sun is shining and summer is in full-swing, the 2022-23 hockey season is just around the corner! Registration is now open officials for officials, for a discounted price! All new & returning officials can register for the HU Online Officiating Course for the 2022-23 season for only $5.00! This $5.00 fee has been subsidized from $25.00 as part of an officiating recruitment initiative exclusive to the 2022-23 season. Officiating clinics for the upcoming season will be announced soon as well! Click the button below to get started!
Not only is registration open for officials, it is also open for players through your local Minor Hockey Associations! Click the button below to find your Minor Hockey Association (MHA) so you can begin the process of getting signed-up for the upcoming year.
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Rush and Chiefs Shine at 2022 Esso Cup and TELUS Cup |
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B.C. sent two teams to their respective National AAA tournaments, and both made the province proud.
The Fraser Valley Rush made their return to the Esso Cup at the 2022 version of the tournament and came out flying, winning their first two games of the tournament. After an impressive round-robin stage, the team took on the Notre Dame Hounds in the Semifinals, coming away with a 3-1 victory. They then took on the Durham West Lightning in the Championship Final and came up just short, eventually claiming the silver medal.
The Vancouver NE Chiefs made their debut at the TELUS Cup on May 16, 2022. The Chiefs picked up their first win at the tournament and in team history at the TELUS Cup when they defeated the Notre Dame Hounds 5-4 on May 17. The Chiefs finished the tournament in sixth place.
Congratulations to both the Chiefs and the Rush on their extraordinary seasons!
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2022 World Junior Championship and BC Hockey 50/50 Just Around the Corner |
The 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship is just around the corner August 9-20, 2022! This means that the BC Hockey and Hockey Canada 50/50 is also making its return.
100% of net proceeds raised from the draw will remain in B.C. and be invested back into a variety of programs targeting female hockey at the grassroots level!
Tickets for the 50/50 draw will be available for purchase by individuals over the age of 19 who are physically located in the province of British Columbia at the time of purchase. Stay tuned for further information and details.
Actual odds depend on # of tickets sold.
Problem Gambling Help Line: 1-888-795-6111
www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca, 19+ to Play!
Know your limit, play within it.
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Even though the hockey season has wrapped-up on the ice, there is still some news surrounding BC Hockey. Check out some additional Quick Hits below:
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Belairdirect
Belairdirect is the exclusive and preferred home insurance provider of BC Hockey and its members. Take advantage of your membership benefits!
You could save on insurance and win $1,000 from our partner, belairdirect!
There are 36 x $1,000 cash prizes available to win. To enter the contest, simply complete the form at belairdirect.com/BONUS.
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Sandman Hotel Group
Sandman Hotel Group is the official hotel of the BCEHL. By choosing Sandman, you will be provided with the extra measure of quality, comfort, and personal convenience you are looking for.
Follow Sandman Hotel Group on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to be the first to hear about anything and everything surrounding Sandman!
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Wilsons Bus Company
Wilson’s Transportation Ltd is a proud partner of the BCEHL. Wilson’s Transportation Ltd is a locally-owned and operated charter bus company serving Victoria and Vancouver Island. In operation since 1962, we are a trusted provider known for our exceptional service, transporting groups large and small from one destination to another – safely and on time.
For more information, visit their website!
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BC HOCKEY
6671 Oldfield Rd.
Saanichton, BC V8M 2A1
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