AAA teams making it work

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This article was published 27/10/2020 (2008 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Elite levels of hockey in Manitoba have faced similar hurdles while they try to operate safely during the pandemic.

In the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League, masks are mandatory and access for fans is restricted to 25 per cent capacity for all of its 13 clubs. And if you’re a college or junior scout, you’ll most likely have to book your seat in advance.

That also goes for parents in most of the league’s smaller venues.

Meanwhile, the on-site 50/50 draw, a common fundraising operation at minor hockey games across Western Canada, has all but disappeared with the exception of a few teams that have gone online.

“There’s been great buy-in throughout the league,” said league commissioner Levi Taylor of Morden. “I think the majority of people are just happy to be able to play hockey. After the season was cancelled last year, there were a lot of disappointed kids, parents, grandparents and fans. So the fact that we’re on the ice and there’s games going on that we can watch and participate in, I think a lot of people are happy with that.”

Manitoba Female Hockey League U18 AAA commissioner Brad Kirk oversees an eight-team loop and he sees a benefit to having fewer teams.

The regular season started on time and after 21 games played over a four-week stretch, it has gone almost as well as he hoped.

“Things have gone without a hitch, which has been nice,” said Kirk, noting several clubs had to cancel plans to attend pre-season showcase events in the U.S. and other parts of Canada. “There hasn’t been any (positive COVID-19) cases that I’m aware of. I know for sure within teams but even with families that have been associated with the girls on our teams.”

Kirk said a full 28-game regular season is planned.

“We haven’t looked at playoffs or how playoffs are going to work at this point,” he said. “Let’s get through as much of the season as we can and see how the first quarter of 2021 looks before we plan (anything). Right now we don’t expect playoffs will be any different than what we normally do.”

On the boys side, Taylor points to adaptations that have helped the league move forward. Most importantly, clubs have been aligned in divisions that roughly approximate the province’s health regions.

The Parkland, Yellowhead, Brandon and Southwest teams operate in one division while Eastman, Central Plains, Interlake and Pembina Valley form another pod. The Winnipeg Thrashers, Winnipeg Bruins, Winnipeg Wild and Kenora Thistles constitute another bubble, with the Thompson-based Norman squad operating as a floater.

The league has scheduled accordingly, in part to reduce travel.

“Grouping teams into divisions, I think, was a smart decision,” said Taylor. “Restricting teams, travel schedules and limiting contact between other clubs are all things to try and slow (the spread of COVID-19). We’re just trying to make sure that we can play and hopefully finish the season.”

The division format is a crucial safeguard.

“If it ever came to where they decided that hockey had to be shut down in that region, we would be able to shut down that division rather than the entire league,” said Taylor.

Those safeguards have been no consolation for Kenora, which has yet to play a game. The public health authority in Northwestern Ontario has recommended no travel for sports team, a directive that could be revisited at the end of November.

Hockey Manitoba has also banned out-of-province travel.

But even if you can’t get to the games (Hockey Winnipeg has limited spectators to one per player earlier this week), there are ways to get your hockey fix.

“On a positive note, we’ve partnered with Hockey TV this year,” said Taylor. “So although all those changes are going on in the arena, we are broadcasting all of our games online through that platform, which allows those who can’t attend to still watch.”

The Bruins, now in their fourth season, have helped to add balance to the league. A third Winnipeg team has helped to dilute the talent pool slightly.

“It does even the playing field a little bit but they’re still ultra competitive, I’ll put it that way,” said Taylor. “I think any time you can add a team that is competitive, I think that’s better for the entire league. Increased competition helps kids develop and I would say there’s a benefit.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14