B.C. gets ready to host hockey nationals

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British Columbia teams are not satisfied in simply playing host to this year's National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

They also are hoping to capture some hardware at the tournament, which will be held April18 to 24 in Prince George.

This marks the third year the national Aboriginal tournament has been staged. The event was held in Akwesasne, Ont. for its first two runnings.

British Columbia did not send any representatives to the inaugural tournament in 2002, and was only represented by a boys' team at last year's event. The B.C. side, though, did not fare well at the nationals, as it only won one out of its five matches.

This year marks the first time the province will enter both girls' and boys' teams at the nationals.

"Our coaches have some good feelings that we can play well and finish in the top three, if not win in both the girls' and boys' categories," said Patrick Chenier, associate director for the Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of B.C. "We're shooting high and (potential) players we've seen so far are highly motivated to do well."

There will be at least six entrants in both divisions this year. Other areas that have confirmed their participation in both categories are teams representing the Atlantic provinces, Saskatchewan, Ontario North, Ontario South and Eastern Door and the North, this last featuring Quebec-based players.

Though they missed the original registration deadline last December, both Alberta and Manitoba have expressed an interest in participating in both categories at this year's nationals. If both of those provinces have their clubs accepted, a pair of eight-team tournaments will be contested.

The first try-outs for the B.C. teams was held in Prince George in mid-February and in Merritt on March 6 and 7. The final provincial camp was tentatively scheduled for March 20 and 21 in Williams Lake.

Organizers are hoping to select the players it wants for both of its teams following the March 20 try-out. Those players would then remain in Williams Lake an additional day for team practices and meetings.

Both the B.C.-based squads are expected to feature 20 players on their rosters. But they won't all necessarily be B.C. residents.

That's because B.C. team officials have approached hockey officials from the Yukon. There's a chance some of the Yukon's best players would be allowed to suit up for the B.C. teams.

"We would welcome their participation," Chenier said. "We're not sure how that will work itself out. We have to find out how they will be integrated into the selection process."

The 2003 B.C. boys' team also attempted to have some Yukon representation in their lineup, but that plan never materialized.

Chenier is pleased the B.C. squads will be playing the nationals in their home province. "It's definitely going to be an advantage," he said. "It's going to be great to play in front of your home crowd and in front of your family members and friends."