With winter fast approaching, it is time to start thinking about hockey.
The deadline to register for the upcoming season is in less than two weeks.
Ryneld Starr, president of the Hazelton Minor Hockey Association said people have to be signed up by Sept. 22.
“The only way we will accept late registrations is if a team needs players, if the team has enough players and you don’t get your registration in on time then they won’t be able to play.”
Starr added the association is offering a low cost camp for everyone who has registered for the first week in October.
He isn’t sure about the exact price but it will be around $20.
There will be a team for every division and there will also be a peewee girls team.
“Usually peewee is for 11-12 year olds but for the girls we will allow 10-13 year olds, it is a wider range than normal,” he said.
“It is geared to any level, so we encourage any girl that is interested in playing to come out. Last year we had 14 girls and they had a great, really fun season.”
Around 100 kids play every year in the minor hockey association. However, Starr said this year they are short on Adam division players, those born in 2004-2005.
“I’m really trying to recruit new kids who are interested in playing. A lot of people are scared off by the cost of hockey but there are a lot of options for reducing the cost, such as KidSport. They will pay up to $300 for registration and other hockey families always have extra equipment that will sell for less so outfitting can be done cheaper.”
Starr said the association is also short on adult refs.
“We only have two in the area so often we have to bring in refs from out of town, that is really costly.
There are a lot of adult players in the area. If they want to make some extra money and be in the game, they can take the reffing course. They can make a couple hundred bucks in a weekend.”
Anyone with questions can contact Starr at 250-842-0382 or visit the association’s website or Facebook page.
Regular practice starts Oct. 6.