B.C. looking to medal at national championships

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British Columbia's teams will be looking for some improved results at this year's National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. The province will once again be represented by both girls and boys teams at the Canadian tournament scheduled to run April 17 to 23 in Miramichi, N.B.

This marks the fourth year the championships have been staged. The first two were held in Akwesasne, Ont. And last year, the B.C. squads were the hosts as the event was staged in Prince George.

But neither B.C. entrant fared well at that tournament. The girls club won just one out of its seven matches. And it placed sixth in its category, which featured seven teams.

And the boys side fared even worse, failing to win any of its five matches. It ended up dead last in its eight-team grouping.

Karen Henry, the program manager for the Aboriginal Sports/Recreation Association of B.C., would not be surprised if both British Columbia clubs ended up in the medals this time around.

"I don't believe it would be asking too much," she said. "They want to come together as a team. And the spirit is high."

This year's hockey championships will include nine teams per division.

For the first time, the Northwest Territories will be icing clubs. As in previous years, there will be Ontario South and Ontario North entrants in both the girls and boys categories. Also competing will be teams from Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

There will also be Quebec-based teams called Eastern Door and the North, as well as clubs representing the Atlantic provinces.

Both the B.C. girls and boys squads were selected following a two-day provincial camp, which ended in Merritt on Feb. 20.

Prior to that, three talent identification camps were staged in Fraser Lake, Tumbler Ridge and Merritt. Players had to attend at least one of the three talent ID camps in order to be invited to the final provincial tryouts.

The final roster for each squad features 20 players, plus four alternates. The alternates are only expected to attend the nationals if sufficient corporate sponsorships are landed.

One of the reasons Henry believes the B.C. squads will fare better at this year's nationals is because team members will actually have the opportunity to play together before the championships begin.

The boys team is hoping to participate in a pair of all-Native tournaments in B.C. One of those events is set for March 25 to 27 in Merritt while the other is scheduled for April 9 and 10 in Prince George.

As for the B.C. girls squad, it is hoping to line up several exhibition contests before heading to New Brunswick.

"Because of time restraints last year, there was no team development," Henry said. "After the provincial camp, the players didn't see each other again until the nationals."

Officials with the B.C. provincial teams are hoping to give their players any edge they can get. To that end, a strength and fitness coach, as well as a nutritionist were brought in to the final provincial camp in order to put players on certain programs.

"We're doing everything possible for these kids," Henry said.

Some of those on the B.C. squads were well-versed in a fitness program.

"Some of the kids have a trainer with their minor hockey association," Henry said. "But not all of our kids have that luxury or resource."

Both of the B.C. teams have had significant turnover. Just five female and three male players who took part in last year's event are back with their respective clubs.

"Everybody is keen," Henry said. "But I'm hoping [the veterans] take on a leadership role with the younger ones."