By Martin Martinson

SJHL celebrates 50 years

Aug 23, 2018 | 12:00 PM

Bill Chow is entering his eighth season as president of the SJHL, which also happens to be the organization’s 50th year.

In honor of the league hitting the half-century mark, Chow said there will be various subtleties marking the occasion, with the potential for more once the season begins.   

“We’re going to be having our 50th anniversary logo on our digital board system, and all the teams are going to be wearing patches of the 50th anniversary, “ he said. “That’s all we have planned for now, but we may do something else after the season gets underway.”

When asked what stands out about the SJHL over his time with the league, Chow said ultimately it all comes back to the fans’ support in the various communities.

“I think for one thing, we’re all community-based teams, community owned teams, so the fans have a lot of passion for their teams; they care a lot about their teams,” he said.

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Add in the parity that surrounds Saskatchewan’s junior teams, and Chow believes this is a great time for the league.

“I think that the competitiveness on the ice has – in my mind – never been better. I think we’re always down to the wire as to who’s going to make it into the playoffs and where everybody’s going to end up [in the standings]. Everybody’s very competitive that way and I think that’s very good for the league,” he said.  

Before becoming president of the SJHL, Chow spent 27 years as a scout in the Western Hockey League, so he knows a thing or two about junior-aged hockey players. When asked about the number of youth entering the SJHL ranks and making an immediate impact, Chow said he believes the youth movement is good for the league.

“I think the game has gotten younger from my perspective, and I think it’s important to bring those young players into the league as that helps the league,” he said.

Chow went on to say that younger players who make an immediate impact also tend to draw a lot of attention from fans inside the community and a buzz amongst people on the outside.

“It creates interest in the fans, creates interest from the scouts, so I think overall a younger player does bring that attraction,” he said.

When asked what the key is to another 50 years as a league, Chow said the number one thing is continued support from the fans.

“I think the biggest thing is bums in the seats. I think that’s an important part of our future,” he said. “Attendance is something we work on, on a constant basis. We think and talk about it, and I think that’s an important part. It’s important to keep the communities involved and make sure the game of hockey is entertainment, and giving young men an opportunity to hopefully advance themselves.”

Fans can see the league’s 50th Anniversary patches on the Battlefords North Stars jersys when the regular season gets underway Sept. 14 at home, at the NB Civic Centre. 

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1