Sixteen BC Mayors support their hometown BC Hockey League team, but which Mayor will have bragging rights at the end of the 2010 ? 2011 Season?
The competition is heating up across the 16 Communities hosting British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) teams this season. The mayors of all 16 communities gathered in Whistler BC this last week during their Union of BC Municipalities annual convention and agreed to a friendly wager. Community pride and bragging rights are at stake as these communities are passionate about their hockey and confident in their teams.
The BCHL includes 16 teams from communities across B.C. For many, the teams represent the highest caliber of hockey that is played within their community. The teams include over 350 players, predominantly from B.C. and others from throughout North America. The BCHL has a solid reputation as one of the best Junior A leagues for player development and scholarship opportunities. The caliber of play is outstanding and the competition is great with many rivalries across our communities.
In March, BCHL teams participate in a playoff series with the best team raising the Fred Page Cup. Last year the Vernon Vipers won the league title and went on to win the National Championship for the second consecutive year.
The Mayors will be following their team closely throughout the season. At the end of the Fred Page Cup and the crowning of the B.C. Champion, the mayors of the 15 communities that do not win will wear the jersey of the winning team at their next available council meeting!
Port Alberni Mayor Ken McRae and Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert conceived of the idea. ?Last year Mayor Lippert and I had a similar wager between our two teams but the Powell River Kings spoiled the fun by eliminating the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in game seven of the semi finals, so we never faced each other in the playoffs? explained Mayor McRae.
After a boisterous round of O?Canada in the early morning mountain air in Whistler, the Mayors began sharing their hometown predictions with each other. This year is sure to provide some heated competition on and off the ice!
“I'd like to thank all of the B.C. mayors who are taking part in this wager,” BCHL Commissioner John Grisdale says. “Our 16 communities are great supporters of Junior A hockey and its tremendous to see that there's such passion and enthusiasm for BCHL hockey around the province.”
For further information please contact the teams, the mayors or representatives of the BCHL outlined on the attached contact list. You are encouraged to learn more about the BCHL and its significance to our BC communities.
Photo Participants
(file hockey07) One arm cheer, from left to right??.
City of Port Alberni Mayor Ken McRae
City of Nanaimo Mayor John Ruttan
Township of Langley Mayor Rick Green
City of Salmon Arm Marty Bootsma
City of Colwood Honourable David Saunders
Minister of Healthy Living and Sport Ida Chong
City of Powell River Mayor Stewart Alsgard
Referee Pat Deakin
District of North Cowichan Mayor Tom Walker
City of Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts
City of Vernon Wayne Lippert
City of Merritt Mayor Susan Roline
City of Penticton Dan Ashton
City of Trail Dieter Bogs
City of Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart
District of West Kelowna Doug Findlater
City of Prince George Dan Rogers
City of Quesnel Councillor Michael Cave
(file hockey08) Standing from left to right??.
City of Port Alberni Mayor Ken McRae
City of Nanaimo Mayor John Ruttan
Township of Langley Mayor Rick Green
City of Salmon Arm Marty Bootsma
City of Colwood Honourable David Saunders
City of Powell River Mayor Stewart Alsgard
Minister of Healthy Living and Sport Ida Chong
Referee Pat Deakin
District of North Cowichan Mayor Tom Walker
City of Vernon Wayne Lippert
City of Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts
City of Penticton Dan Ashton
City of Merritt Mayor Susan Roline
City of Trail Dieter Bogs
City of Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart
District of West Kelowna Doug Findlater
City of Prince George Dan Rogers
City of Quesnel Councillor Michael Cave
Team and Community Contacts
Coastal Conference
Alberni Valley Bulldogs Paul Esdale (250) 723-4412
City of Port Alberni Mayor Ken McRae (250) 720-2822
Russell Dyson (250) 731-6101
Coquitlam Express Jon Calvano (604) 936-4625
City of Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart (604) 927-3000 or Carol Jones
Cowichan Valley Capitals Robert Davison (250) 748-9930
District of North Cowichan Mayor Tom Walker (250) 746-3100
or Nancy Tates
Langely Chiefs Harvey Smyl (604) 882-8800
Township of Langley Mayor Rick Green (604) 534-3211
or Cindy Savoy
Nanaimo Clippers Bill Bestwick (250) 751-0593
City of Nanaimo Mayor John Ruttan (250) 754-4251
or Marilyn Smith
Powell River Kings Kent Lewis (604) 485-7550
City of Powell River Mayor Stewart Alsgard (604) 485-6291
or Cathy Grieve
Surrey Eagles Matt Erhart (604) 531-4625
City of Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts (604) 375-4584
or Tera Foslien
Victoria Grizzlies Victor Gervais (250) 385-1555
City of Colwood David Saunders (250) 478-5999
or Barb Cordeiro
Interior Conference
Merritt Centennials Luke Pierce (250) 280-2439
City of Merritt Susan Roline (250) 378-4224
Penticton Vees Fred Harbinson (250) 493-8337
City of Penticton Dan Ashton (250) 490-2400
Prince George Spruce kings Ed Dempsey (250) 564-1747
City of Prince George Dan Rogers (250)485-6291
Quesnel Millionaires Doug Hedley (250) 992-7104
City of Quesnel Mary Sjostrom (250) 992-2111
Salmon Arm Silverbacks Tim Kehler (250) 832-3856
City of Salmon Arm Marty Bootsma (250) 803-4000
Trail Smokeeaters Jim Ingram (250) 364-9994
City of Trail Dieter Bogs (250) 364-1262
Vernon Vipers Mark Ferner (250) 542-6022
City of Vernon Wayne Lippert (250) 545-1361
or Maria Doyle
Westside Warriors Darren Yopyk (250) 769-7051
District o
