As soon as the final whistle goes at the last game of the season, training and preparation for the next hockey season begins.
Usually.
As with all aspects of life, 2020 has been different. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread, sports leagues shut down to keep athletes and fans safe. The Maritime Hockey League managed to finish the regular season in early March, but playoffs were scuttled as Hockey Canada suspended and cancelled all sanctioned events. This has meant a longer, and stranger, off-season for players itching to get back on the ice, but even into June, they remain unsure when that return will come.
“Obviously, there's a lot of uncertainty right now,” says Valley Wildcats general manager Brandon Benedict. “I said to the players, they can only control what they can control. Try to stay in shape as best you can. I know gyms have been closed, but hopefully, that's going to change.”
Benedict, who is also head coach of the junior A Wildcats, says he talks to his players individually, and they've been keeping to touch with one another via group chat.
“All the conversations I've had with players have been positive.”
Focus on fitness
Ethan Kearney was a rookie with the Wildcats last season in Berwick, making the jump after previously playing with Valley's Major Midget team. Kearney says his summer work is helping him keep in game shape.
“As of right now, I’m currently working two jobs, which are both physically demanding and a great way to stay fit during the summer,” says Kearney. “On my days off and after my shifts are over, I’m always in my home gym in my basement, lifting weights and trying to get better and stronger for next season.”
Kearney says creating routines has been a key for him for the last few months.
“During quarantine, the biggest part for me was just getting back into a routine and finding ways to entertain myself daily and keeping my mind active by reading, working out and staying busy.”
Of course, COVID-19 has not impacted all areas equally. Some provinces have reported hundreds or thousands of cases, while others have had many times fewer. Wildcats centre Dylan Matthews is back at home on Prince Edward Island during the off-season, and says he's doing great.
“P.E.I has made this situation so easy and quick as the majority of our restrictions have already been lifted,” says Matthews. “Luckily enough, I have a gym at home so I’ve been able to workout during all this.”
Matthews says he's been able to spend time honing his hockey skills, as well as those for other sports.
“I’ve been rollerblading and shooting pucks daily, and aside from the hockey aspect, I’ve been able to get out on the golf course four to five times a week.”
Upcoming draft
2020 will go down as the first MHL season without a champion after the cancellation of the playoffs. The league has crowned a champion every year since it was founded as the Metro Valley Junior B Hockey League in 1967.
Still, everyone is focused on the future. The MHL will hold its annual entry draft on June 13, with the teams coming together virtually instead of in-person this year.
Benedict says he and his players are hoping they'll be able to start the new MHL season this fall as scheduled.
“The group that are coming back are excited,” says the coach.
“Hopefully, things start opening up in terms of sports.”
Hockey Canada released a statement on June 4 regarding the return to hockey. The governing body says the best approach is to allow its provincial members to work with local authorities to determine when it's safe to return to the ice as the impact of the pandemic varies from region to region.
