John Wilmshurst | Special to the Fitzhugh
Around this time for about that last dozen years, you could find me down at the rink, getting reacquainted with my winter friends - the players, parents and coaches with whom I would be spending quality time for the next six months while my kids played hockey.
This year is different. Jasper’s rink is in the throes of some much-needed renos, there’s this little pandemic thing distancing us, and I don’t have any kids playing in Jasper this year.
None of this will keep me out of the rink this year though, so I sat down with Jim Koss and Alex Derksen, Jasper’s hockey royalty to get the scoop on Jasper’s skater squads this season.
Before I go any further, some housekeeping.
Gone are the days of ambiguous names for hockey age groups. Hockey has joined the 21st century and now identifies age groups by, well, those groups’ ages. What used to be Initiation is now U7 (the U standing for under), Novice U9, Atom U11, Peewee U13, Bantam U15, and Midget U18.
Got it? I will proceed.
Mike Kliewer will lead the charge in U7 this year, and as usual they will have a gazillion eager munchkins on the ice once they really get rolling.
Registration started late this year due to uncertainty in available ice, but Hinton has made it possible for our kids to practice on weekends so practices at every level are in full swing.
If you need something picked up from Yukon Sausage in Hinton, just find a hockey parent; they got nothing much else to do there anyway.
U7 is, by the way, my favourite hockey, the level beyond which my own skills have not progressed and by far the most joyous sport you will experience as a spectator.
When they move back to Jasper, don a mask, and watch the tournament. You will not regret it.
Reg Curry and Rob Olsen will be coaching the U9 kids this year with Steve Lahaie who has moved up from U7 also behind the bench.
From what I saw last year, you’re going to want to keep an eye on Zoti Korogonas to lead the charge on this squad. There’s nothing like Greek blood coursing through your veins to inspire hockey. Just ask Chris Chelios.
At the U11 level, the standouts we saw last year in U7 (Novice), Alexis Lahaie and Ash Habib will make a splash at this higher level.
They will be joining the likes of Max Lescard, Grayden Henderson and Luka Khalina who Coaches Ross Derksen, Chad Henderson and Dave Hofhuis will lean on as the veterans on the ice, leading the team to yet another successful season.
Alex Derksen pulls double duty as Jasper Minor Sports director and the U13 boys coach this year.
Together with Dave Miller and Jim Campbell he’ll be moulding the raw athleticism of Basi Oeggerli, Casey Peel and Drew Kovacs into banner contenders. Brodie Campbell will backstop this crew again this year and I’ve heard nothing but good things about this kid’s skills between the pipes.
There is a bit of a log jam among the older boys as coaches Eric Bouchard, Theron Sawchuk and Royd Irwin will combine the elite skaters at the U15 and U18 ages to contend at the U18 level.
There’s a ton of talent at this level, but there will be an adjustment as COVID rules take much of the physical aspect out of the game for energy players like Tanner Carlton and Michael Hayashi.
But all eyes this year should be on the Girls U15 squad.
These athletes made enormous strides last year and look equally strong this season, particularly with Lydia Storms and Sahara Harvey returning for another go.
With Pat McLeod and Jason Munn behind the bench, what is not to like?
Let’s hope that the upgrades to the rink will include lots of space for banners this year.
Because they’re going to need it.
