Now I don't want you to take me wrong here. I do follow the NHL and everyone knows I'm an "Old" Leaf fan...but for years now it's been Junior Hockey or actually Jr. A Hockey that I have enjoyed the most.
You say there is a difference? Well yes, sure there is.. Jr. Hockey is the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) or out west the WHL, affectionately know as the DUB. We had a taste of that league here for 5 yrs. but as so often happens in sport that franchise came and went. It's big time money and the usual way for most Canadian kids to get into pro. Jr. A is the same aged kids playing as amateurs in the eyes of the US University and colleges and meets the rules of NCAA scholarships. Jr. hockey and the CHL teams do not. Not as much money floating around and the kids get basic room and board supplied by the teams. I say kids but there are a few 20 yr. olds playing on each team and there could be as many as six.
Anyhow that's your lesson for today. Onto our local team: the Chilliwack Chiefs. Coached by our friend Harvey Smyl, brother to the former player Stan Smyl of the Vancouver Canucks. Harvey coached Chris yrs ago in Williams Lake BC when Chris played Jr.
We have season tickets and we really enjoy watching the kids at that level work to be the best they can. It's great hockey to watch fast and tough and generally these days without too much violence. (not that I don't mind a good scrap now and then) This is the second year that the team has been back in Chilliwack this time around and we are all excited about the upcoming season and what the team will look like. A lot more time to plan for this season should mean a better core of skaters to start the season off and the fact we have 11 players coming back is a bonus also.