After the COVID-19 pandemic put an immediate halt to the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) championship match between the North Vancouver Wolf Pack and Aldergrove Kodiaks, the bears have 鈥渦nfinished business,鈥� said head coach Chris Price about the Kodiaks鈥� upcoming season.
That鈥檚 because a season鈥檚 worth of work was what they call 鈥渨ashed,鈥� meaning no tie was declared, and no banner was shared between the teams.
Price said having a taste of near-victory has provided a source of motivation for the 13 returning players on the Kodiaks this upcoming season.
鈥淚t鈥檚 motivating the group to get that title,鈥� he said about the roster of 鈥渟trong returning players.鈥�
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The PJHL recently announced its plan to see games return by the end of September.
鈥淚t鈥檚 optimistic,鈥� Price said about the decision, which he hopes will become a reality.Fingers crossed.鈥�
On Tuesday the team wrapped up weekly practices at 91原创 Sportsplex 鈥� which is typical for the Junior B team in summer 鈥� and now awaits the return of ice at Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre, expected in the first week of September.
From there, practices will ramp up to four times a week.
NEWS: PJHL concludes AGM, announces projected Sept. 29 start date for the 2020-21 regular season.
鈥� PJHL (@Pacific_Junior)
馃摪:
鈥楨xtended training camp鈥� in sight
One downfall of the pandemic was the inability of coaching staff to host a hockey camp to hone in on prospective players.
鈥淲e missed time on the ice where the young guys try out,鈥� explained Price.
鈥淪ome could have been from an Aldergrove Midget A team or the Major Midget division.鈥�
Fortunately, the coach鈥檚 background in strength conditioning provided him insight on Lower Mainland players with the right level of skill and attitude.
鈥淚鈥檝e signed athletes I鈥檝e gotten to know as people, not just as players,鈥� added Price, who has signed on several new players for the Kodiaks.
The coach is now planning what he called an 鈥渆xtended training camp鈥� in September.
