If you’ve been hungry for pro hockey, you’re in luck.
Premier John Horgan tweeted Sunday that B.C. has greenlit NHL games in the province — the second province only behind Alberta.
But what does that mean for other leagues, like the WHL to beer league still stuck on the bench?
They say it’s good news and that they are eagerly and optimistically awaiting new public health orders expected on Friday.
“It’s a busy week for all the teams,” said Dan Price, Victoria Royals head coach and general manager.
“Everyone is contingency planning. And there are a few variables, there are the world juniors which are set to end. There are updates to provincial health orders cascading through each province over the coming days. So everyone is just trying to create good short term and long term plans.”
“We are counting out the days that we would get the news how the community did at large with COVID over the holiday times,” said Eric Yue Island Hockey 101 commissioner.
“As opposed to returning a week into January we postponed it for a week, fingers crossed we return in two weeks in January.”
The BCHL Grizzlies have played some local games but say new orders could soon bring back wider competitive play…
“We’ve got our fingers crossed, we are optimistic, especially as the way the region has gone,” said head coach and general manager Craig Didmon.
“The opportunity to play some games would be great for the boys. It’s something, they are really looking forward to it.”
The British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association says they’ve been working closely with the province on measures, and say they trust the decision the province will make.
“When it’s time for us to ease back into it and competition to ramp up we are ready for it … but if it’s not time for that it’s okay and we will wait,” said B.C. Hockey CEO Cameron Hope.
“We are in a good position, in the sense that at least we have our players on the ice.”
But even if nothing changes, just the return of pro hockey will keep many happy.
“If we can’t be playing hockey, watching the Canucks is great. Ideally, we can get out there and pretend we are NHL players too,” added Yue.
Many hope low numbers over the holidays will give us the gift of more hockey.
Julian Kolsut
