Sask. hockey players feel joy, frustration as some return to play, others don’t

Teams in the WHL’s east division will begin quarantining in Regina Saturday, as they get ready for their regular season in less than a month.

But for players in the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, the future is uncertain.

No hockey games are allowed to take place under the current guidelines for players that aren’t a part of the WHL hub. Players that are 18 years old and younger can practice and train in groups of eight if they use masks and physically distance from their teammates. Those guidelines were recently extended until at least March 19.

The current guidelines make for two very distant realities for players playing the same sport.

Brent Kaytor, a minor hockey coach and parent in Regina, says the thought of hockey games being pushed back until September has been very difficult for his players.

“It’s very heartbreaking and disappointing for the kids,” Kaytor said. “The whole season has felt like a waste for a lot of players.

“This year would have been my son’s bantam draft year, this could definitely affect a lot of kids going into next year.”

Another concern for Kaytor has is fees. There hasn’t been any word on whether there will be any sort of refund for parents who signed their kids up to play this season.

“A majority of the fee is supposed to go towards paying referees and time keepers. Now, the next question is if we will get some money back from Hockey Regina,” he said.

The difference between minor hockey and the WHL is extensive, as WHL teams will have strict protocols in places to ensure all health restrictions are met as they begin their season.
Jenny Nijhoff, the mother of Regina Pats player Logan Nijhoff, spoke on the Greg Morgan Morning Show about the upcoming weeks.

She believes the WHL has what it takes to hold a successful shortened season.

“I don’t have concerns. The Pats, the league and the Saskatchewan health officials have put together a very thorough plan that they shared with us and with the players,” Nijhoff said. “I think it’s going to be quite something to get through a quarantine together. But after that, what a fantastic opportunity for team building. And of course, the chance to play the game that they all love and are passionate about will be will be fantastic.”

“These players that are so fortunate to be in the WHL are trying to use that as a stepping stone to their professional careers and every game they don’t play, every year that they don’t play, could be devastating to that.”

Nijhoff understands the frustration that minor hockey league parents and players are going through as their season stays on the back-burner.

She hopes hockey in the province will return to some sort of normalcy later this year.

“COVID has been hard on all of us. The WHL players, especially 19 and 20 year olds, haven’t been allowed to practice or be on the ice together in a very long time. They haven’t seen their players, coaches or trainers for almost a year,” she said. ” Let’s all support what we are able to do and stay positive as we look towards the future.”

The puck will drop on WHL action in Regina March 12.