Barrhead is one step closer to having a junior hockey franchise.
On Aug. 1, Western States Hockey League (WHSL) president and commissioner Ron White was at the Barrhead Agrena to talk about the league’s plan to relocate the Long Beach Bombers to Barrhead for the 2019-2020 season and introduce the teams coaching staff.
More specifically he was in town to drum up support, especially volunteers, for the franchise.
And even though only a handful of people attended the meeting, White said it was a successful effort.
“Of course we would have liked a better turn out, but what we are looking for are about 10 to 12 people who will, in turn, find another 10 to 12 people,” White said.
He added that out of the people who did attend, all of them have said they hope to volunteer with the team, including four people who previously committed to being billet families at the team’s first information session on July 10.
However, White admits they have a long way to go in a relatively short amount of time.
The WHSL season is slated to begin Oct. 4 with the first home game occurring in mid-October.
“You need a lot of people to put on a junior hockey game,” White said.
Initially, he said what the team is most concerned about is finding enough billets. Depending on how many of the players of the projected 20 to 27-man roster, are from out of town, White expects they will need up to 10 families.
The other critical position the Bombers need to find is a game day coordinator to ensure there are enough volunteers in place, from off-ice timing officials, ushers and ticket takers to security. They will also need volunteers to stream the club’s home games via the league’s website. The broadcasts are a source of revenue for the league as they are available on a pay-per-view basis only.
Eventually, White, who owns the team, would also like to find local investors willing to be part of the Bombers’ ownership group.
As for the quality of the product, White said, it is good hockey and comparable to any of the Junior ‘A’ leagues, such as the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).
One of the reasons why the calibre of play is so strong is because players in the WSHL are generally older.
Though WSHL players as young as 15-and-a-half are eligible to play in the league, the vast majority of players are 19 and 20. No player can by older than 21.
One of the reasons why the WSHL tends to attract older players is due to the league’s high number of imports from outside North America.
“WSHL has a limit of 14 imports per team, mostly from Europe, and typically they tend to be older because they finish their minor hockey at home first,” he said. “A lot of European players use our league as a springboard to get into professional hockey.”
Currently, the Bombers have eight players from Ukraine on their roster.
For the North American players, White said it is a way for hockey players to get noticed by colleges and universities.
He added that every year the league hosts a showcase tournament in Las Vegas where they invite more than 130 college coaches and scouts at their WSHL’s expense.
“There isn’t a junior hockey league in Alberta where a player is seen by more college hockey scouts,” he said. “I can almost guarantee that even if you are a third or fourth-line player, within a month of the showcase you are going to get three or four contacts from a college. I can’t guarantee you are going to get a scholarship, but more than likely you are going to have a college option.”
In the event any player is still of high school age, head coach Todd White said they would take courses through the Alberta Distance Learning Centre (ADLC) rather than the local high school.
Intangible benefits
In addition to the economic activity, White said the Bombers will bring a lot of intangibles to the community.
“Our players will be out in the community, shovelling snow at the Seniors’ Drop-in Centre, things like that,” he said, adding the Bombers plan to start a youth hockey program which will help the Barrhead Minor Hockey Association attract players.
Expectations
Initially, the Bombers hope to attract between 350 to 400 fans during their home games, but as they and the league become more well known, the expectation is that number will grow dramatically.
“Not only do we expect to draw fans from Barrhead, but all the surrounding communities, such as Westlock, Mayerthorpe and Onoway because the quality of the hockey,” Ron White said.
