Ball hockey minor program had a major impact

The addition of a minor ball hockey program last year led to the revitalization of the sport in St. John’s and other parts of the province, according to Newfoundland and Labrador Ball Hockey Association president Steve Power.

Power says this will be the busiest season “without a doubt” on record for provincial ball hockey, from minor to senior.

Given the growth  Power says the “cult status” the sport often gets tagged with no longer applies.

The Metro Minor Ball Hockey League, which had 185 participants in its initial year, is estimated to rise to 350 this time around.

The minor program, which will operate out of Feildian Gardens, includes under-17 and under-19 age groups.

Mike Dyke will run the program and he’ll be assisted by Eddie Bartlett of St. John’s Maple Leafs midget hockey team’s coaching staff. Connor Donaghey of the Maritime Junior Hockey League’s Yarmouth Mariners and Marcus Power of the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers are also working with the program.

Registration will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Matthew’s school on Cowan Heights. The league will operate Monday through Thursday in the various divisions.

For more information on the minor program, contact Dyke at mikedyke@hotmail.com

Power said there are minor programs in Gander and Bay Roberts, and there’s interest in starting a program in Bonavista.

“This is a big year for us,” said Power, noting there are major tournaments planned for the summer, including the junior men’s nationals July 30-Aug. 2, the provincials July 2-5 and the Eastern Canadians July 23-26.

The provincials, which will be held in the St. John’s-Mount Pearl area, will include all divisions such as men’s tier 1 and tier 2, women’s and youth. The winners in men’s tier 1 and 2, along with the female champion, will qualify for next year’s Eastern Canadians.

The Glacier and Paradise facilities will host the Eastern Canadian men’s and women’s championships this year.

The junior men’s nationals, which Power calls “a big deal”, are also scheduled to be played in Mount Pearl and Paradise.

Teams will compete in U15, U16 and U19 divisions. Ontario and British Columbia are expected to enter two or three teams, while other provincial reps, aside from the host Newfoundland contingent, will be from New Brunswick, Manitoba and Alberta, and possibly Quebec and Saskatchewan.

jbrowne@thetelegram.com