More than a game, hockey is an integral part of the community in the Battlefords. Pictured here, minor hockey players receive some help getting their skates tied by Stars’ forward Matthias Urbanski at the North Stars’ hockey camp earlier this year. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

A Hockey Town

‘A sad day for hockey’: Reflecting on a minor hockey season cut short

Mar 13, 2020 | 5:23 PM

Like many towns and small city-centres all across the province, the Battlefords’ rely on the hockey rink as a lifeblood to the social fabric of the community and a central vein to the heart of what bonds residents together.

That is why it came as a shock to the system for many when the Battlefords Minor Hockey Association announced the cancellation of their season effective Friday, in conjunction with Hockey Canada, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

President of Battlefords Minor Hockey, Kyle Kellgren, said the last couple of days have been a bit of a whirlwind, with things developing quickly.

“Early yesterday afternoon the rumblings started happening, so I started making some phone calls and sending some emails and it came out pretty early that Hockey Canada was going to step in and cancel all hockey for the rest of the season,” he said. “[That includes] everything from senior hockey to initiation; it is a sad day for hockey, for sure.”

With a number of tournaments and games scheduled for local teams around the province, from Lloydminster to Humboldt and Saskatoon, Kellgren said the worst part of the ordeal has been the kids losing out on the game they love.

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“Most of the kids will have hockey next year, but if you look at the third-year midgets – whether they move on to play junior next year or not – they are done playing their minor hockey which is devastating [to have it end this way],” he said. “It is shocking, but again, we agree with everything Health Canada and Hockey Canada is doing and we appreciate them looking after all our players.”

But the players aren’t the only ones affected. The parents, volunteers, rink staff and community at large have also been affected by the premature end to the season with Kellgren pointing to the countless hours spent at the rink by so many, before adding, “It’s crazy how many people this is effecting.”

Kellgren said while the abrupt end to the season is obviously unfortunate, he would like to thank the coaches, players, parents, staff and volunteers for a great season, adding, “we’ll look towards 2021 and a great start to next season when we’ll be stronger than ever.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1