News and Announcements
Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour - Nanaimo - Feb 25 & 26
Exciting event happening this weekend!
The Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour is the ultimate hockey fan experience, making stops in communities across Canada.
The FREE festival kicks off in Nanaimo at Maffeo Sutton Park starting at 12pm on Saturday February 25th and will feature family-friendly programming and activities all weekend long. Help us celebrate Canada’s game by picking up a virtual autograph inside the Rogers Tent, meet your favourite NHL Alumni in the Scotiabank Community Locker Room, test your skills in the Chrysler Pacifica Stow N Go Competition, and cheer for your local minor hockey teams in the Cheer Like Never Before contest.
Oceanside Minor Hockey will be participating in the Scotiabank Legacy Jersey Unveil on Saturday at 12:45pm.
Schedule
Congratulations to the Bantam Division 2 League Champions
Vancouver Island University Mariners Join BC Intercollegiate Hockey League
The BC Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) and BC Hockey announced that the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners will join the BCIHL for the 2017-2018 season. The Mariners will become the sixth team in the league.
The Mariners will join Eastern Washington University (EWU), Selkirk College, Simon Fraser University (SFU), Trinity Western University (TWU) and the University of Victoria (UVic).
“The BCIHL is very excited by the strong support that exists for intercollegiate hockey at VIU and the city of Nanaimo,” said BCIHL President, Kim Verigin. “VIU has put together a solid leadership group with significant experience and willingness to be a sustainable contributing member of our league.”
“We are thrilled to reap the benefits of having a second team on Vancouver Island. UVic will now have a natural geographic rival and all our teams stand to benefit from increased flexibility and potential cost savings related to travel,” added Verigin. “This move also supports our league’s goal of expansion to institutions that are committed to long-term success in intercollegiate hockey.”
VIU’s expansion bid was submitted prior to the BCIHL’s winter Board meetings in December. At that point, the bid was reviewed and its acceptance was voted upon unanimously by the league’s existing member teams. Subsequent approval from BC Hockey was the final step in the expansion process.
“The Mariners are excited to be joining the BCIHL family,” commented Mariners Men’s Hockey President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Myles Parsons. “Our goal is to help good student athletes become better student athletes. We will take pride in being cooperative off the ice and competitive on the ice. I’m sure we will have a team that VIU, the BCIHL, BC Hockey and all hockey fans can be proud of.”
“The addition of VIU to the BCIHL marks an exciting time for the league and BC Hockey,” said BC Hockey CEO, Barry Petrachenko. “Our intercollegiate league provides competitive, high-calibre hockey to this age group and a second team on Vancouver Island enhances the league schedule and offerings. It is a priority for us to provide opportunities for players beyond their Junior and minor hockey careers and expansion such as this is key to the continued growth of the league.”
The groundwork for a men’s hockey program at VIU was initiated by Parsons and Steve Paul, who will serve as the team’s head coach and general manager. The team’s membership bid was submitted following extensive discussions with VIU, Nanaimo Parks and Recreation, BC Hockey and the BCIHL.
“The motivation to bring hockey back to VIU came from having discussions and asking questions in the Nanaimo hockey community and seeing that everyone was willing to support us in many ways,” said Parsons. “We have many volunteers ready to contribute their time and expertise, and we’re already answering calls from student athletes wanting to play hockey for the Mariners.”
The BCIHL was launched in 2006 and is currently in its eleventh season of operation. For more information on the league, please visit www.bcihl.ca.
BC HOCKEY WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR AMAZING HOCKEY VOLUNTEER!
As part of Minor Hockey Week, BC Hockey is accepting applications for the 2017 Fred Heslop Minor Hockey Week Awards, recognizing hockey volunteers in BC and the Yukon for their exceptional service.
Do you know someone who has:
• Made a significant contribution to hockey in your community
• Enhanced hockey programs within your Association
• Gone beyond expectations
• Made remarkable achievements
We need your help to recognize these amazing people who make hockey happen around the province and the Yukon! Don’t forget to include a picture!
NOMINATE A VOLUNTEER NOW
In total, five (5) awards will be presented during National Volunteer Week, April 23 – 29, 2017. Nominations close on Sunday, January 22, 2017.
The Fred Heslop Minor Hockey Awards are named after the late Fred Heslop whose involvement with BC Hockey spanned two (2) decades, serving the membership on the Executive Committee (now Board of Directors) from 1992 – 2006. The Trail, BC native served in many roles including Officer at large, Vice President, President and was chair of numerous committees. In 2007, BC Hockey awarded him the highest honour when he was presented with the Diamond Stick Award. Fred passed about in late 2013, leaving a legacy behind him.
_____________________________________________
National Volunteer Week pays tribute to the millions o volunteers who share their time and talents with community organizations across the country. The week of celebration is a wonderful way to shine the spotlight on volunteers who share their time to make their community a better place. For more information on National Volunteer Week, please visit their website at www.volunteer.ca.
Oceanside Minor Hockey has lost a very loving husband, father, and coach. Ward Stouffer passed away on Thursday, January 5th. Both he and his wife Shelly have been dedicated members of our association since their boys began playing hockey. Kent (11) and Brett (9) both remain very active at the Atom and Peewee levels. Let’s all encourage each other to show this family our love and support during this difficult time.
A Celebration of Life will be held on January 13th, 2017 at 1:00 pm at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre (132 East Jensen Avenue, Parksville).
In lieu of flowers, the family would request that you consider making a donation to the Nanoose Bay Community Cupboard.
