U18 Selects eye return to play

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This article was published 15/01/2021 (1745 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the Eastman U18 AAA Female Selects, staying in shape as best they can during these Code Red restrictions, which has included twice a week zoom workout sessions with former Olympian Bailey Bram, they hope they can return to the ice in the very near future as restrictions are eased.

There is some optimism in hockey circles that hockey will be resuming in the coming weeks.

Ste. Anne’s Brad Kirk, president of the Manitoba U18 Female AAA Midget Hockey League, says they are ready to start back up within days of the green light coming from the province.

Unlike Manitoba Junior Hockey League teams that will undergo an intense 10-to 14-day training camp before resuming play, Kirk says in their league they hope to play their first game within a matter of days. He says if the province lifts the code red restrictions, which are in effect until Jan. 22, they would hope to resume play as soon as possible the following week, with all the necessary approvals and observance of health and safety guidelines.

Plans are to continue the schedule as was originally laid out at the start of the season, which originally was a 28-game schedule for each team in the eight-team league.

The 2020-21 season began in early October and the Ste. Anne based Eastman Selects had played six games of their schedule, off to an uncharacteristically slow start with a 1-5-0 record. Play was halted in early November.

Originally, the schedule was slated to wrap in the middle of February, with the playoffs to follow. Kirk says they would hope to continue with the regular schedule perhaps until the end of March and then have playoffs in April. This would be possible as there are no regional or national championships this year.

Likewise, the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League is also hoping to resume their schedule when allowed. The 13-team league, which includes the Beausejour-based Eastman Selects, suspended play on Nov. 12.

A statement on the league website reads “The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League remains committed to restarting our season. And to give the young men who play in our league the opportunity to continue their mental, physical and social development. We have no intention of cancelling the 2020-21 season.”

The Selects had played five games in the month of October, posting 3-2-0 record. The current schedule ends on Feb. 20 so the league will also have to rework the regular season schedule through February and March.