Local Sports

BCHL

BCHL stays tight-lipped about reasons for leaving Canadian Junior Hockey League

The BCHL retains affiliation with Hockey Canada and BC Hockey, but isn’t saying what comes next

The Chilliwack Chiefs and Coquitlam Express will finally play games in early April as the BCHL squeezes in a shortened 20 game season. Just-announced provincial funding may help the junior A league offset financial losses caused by the COVID pandemic. (Darren Francis photo)

Province provides relief funding for amateur sport

The government is directing $15 million to teams/leagues impacted by the COVID pandemic

BCHL

BCHL will have three teams playing in Burnaby during shortened season

The league announced five pod locations as the junior A league prepares to play in early April

The Nanaimo Clippers in action at Frank Crane Arena in early 2020. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo Clippers for sale, owner says hockey won’t be back to normal any time soon

Wes Mussio says he’s had numerous inquiries about the junior A club already

The Nanaimo Clippers in action at Frank Crane Arena in early 2020. (News Bulletin file photo)
The Barriere Outdoor Club’s ski and snowshoe trails at the Barriere Forks Trails had plenty of snow last week, and thanks to the club’s groomer, Steve Rainer, the trails were reported to be in great shape (Mary MacLennan photo)

Outdoor ski and snowshoe trails ready at Barriere Forks

New signs and freshly groomed ski and snowshoe trails are ready and…

The Barriere Outdoor Club’s ski and snowshoe trails at the Barriere Forks Trails had plenty of snow last week, and thanks to the club’s groomer, Steve Rainer, the trails were reported to be in great shape (Mary MacLennan photo)
Levi Kempter, a grade 12 student at Barriere Secondary, has made a short video filmed at Sun Peaks called Get Out and Ski to encourage area residents to utilize the sport of skiing during COVID-19 social distancing requirements. The video can be found on YouTube. (Kempter photo)

Get Out and Ski video will get you fully stoked

Grade 12 graduation project a labour of fun for North Thompson teen

Levi Kempter, a grade 12 student at Barriere Secondary, has made a short video filmed at Sun Peaks called Get Out and Ski to encourage area residents to utilize the sport of skiing during COVID-19 social distancing requirements. The video can be found on YouTube. (Kempter photo)
BCHL

BCHL season delayed once more, but league still hopes to play

The junior A league isn’t ready to sink the season, which is now pushed back into March

BCHL
(Wanda Nystoruk photo)

Young angler celebrates birthday with ice fishing

Declan Nystoruk celebrated his seventh birthday learning to ice fish, with a…

(Wanda Nystoruk photo)
Enjoying the ice at the Barriere Curling Rink in 2019. (Barriere Recreation Society photo)

No more curling – ice is out!

Excitement was high when Barriere Curling Club announced their ice was ready…

Enjoying the ice at the Barriere Curling Rink in 2019. (Barriere Recreation Society photo)
Mason scores a sweet goal during scrimmage practice at the Sportsplex on Saturday (Jan. 9) morning, with a little support from Eric. While engaged in the game of scrimmage, the pre-novice (under age 6) and novice (aged 7 & 8) players worked on their shots, aiming for the pylon in net. (Stephanie Hagenaars photo)

He shoots, he scores!

Mason scores a sweet goal during scrimmage practice at the Sportsplex on…

Mason scores a sweet goal during scrimmage practice at the Sportsplex on Saturday (Jan. 9) morning, with a little support from Eric. While engaged in the game of scrimmage, the pre-novice (under age 6) and novice (aged 7 & 8) players worked on their shots, aiming for the pylon in net. (Stephanie Hagenaars photo)
BCHL

BCHL delays start of the season as provincial health orders remain in place

The junior A league has been forced to abandon a plan to start in mid-January

BCHL
The ice at the Barriere Curling Rink is ready and waiting for seniors and other area residents to come out and enjoy the sport. This photo was taken in 2019 before COVID-19 regulations were required. Curl BC has since put in place provincial guidelines to help ensure everyone’s safety and still enable curling to take place (Barriere Recreation Society photo)

Curling can be adapted to all levels of a person’s mobility

Senior players may wish to use the stick delivery method, or curl from a wheelchair

  • Dec 19, 2020
The ice at the Barriere Curling Rink is ready and waiting for seniors and other area residents to come out and enjoy the sport. This photo was taken in 2019 before COVID-19 regulations were required. Curl BC has since put in place provincial guidelines to help ensure everyone’s safety and still enable curling to take place (Barriere Recreation Society photo)
(S/J file photo)

Empowering seniors in the North Thompson Valley:Carpet bowling welcomes new participants

Carpet bowling is a popular sport with 55+ residents in the North…

(S/J file photo)
Barriere Outdoor Club members are shown celebrating after participating in the annual Wells Gray Birchleg cross country ski event in Clearwater on Feb. 2, 2019. The event wrapped up with a delicious hot Norwegian style lunch and refreshments provided by the Wells Gray Outdoor Club volunteers. (S/J file photo)

Outdoor sports for all ages thanks to Barriere Outdoor Club

By Mary MacLennan The Barriere Outdoor Club (BOC) is a non-profit organization…

  • Dec 17, 2020
Barriere Outdoor Club members are shown celebrating after participating in the annual Wells Gray Birchleg cross country ski event in Clearwater on Feb. 2, 2019. The event wrapped up with a delicious hot Norwegian style lunch and refreshments provided by the Wells Gray Outdoor Club volunteers. (S/J file photo)
The outdoor rink at Heffley Creek provides the community with an important recreation resource. (SJ file photo)

Fundraiser underway for Heffley Creek and Westsyde outdoor rinks

The communities of Heffley Creek, Vinsulla and McLure are stepping up to…

The outdoor rink at Heffley Creek provides the community with an important recreation resource. (SJ file photo)
The Pat Quinn Classic has been a popular tournament for top bantam and peewee teams in recent years, but COVID-19 means there will be no physical event this season. The scholarships established by the tournament are carrying on. (Pat Quinn Classic photo)

Pat Quinn Classic scholarships continue even as COVID cancels tournament

Female and male bantam players province wide are encouraged to apply for $1,000 scholarships

The Pat Quinn Classic has been a popular tournament for top bantam and peewee teams in recent years, but COVID-19 means there will be no physical event this season. The scholarships established by the tournament are carrying on. (Pat Quinn Classic photo)
The Barriere Curling Rink will also be dressed up in lights during the North Thompson Fall Fair’s Christmas At The Fair Drive Thru Light Show on Dec. 19 - 23, from 5 - 8 p.m. “Curling Rink members were able to get some decorating done last weekend in readiness for the light show,” said club president Susan Bondar, “We will have a sleigh in our design and are hoping to have it filled with food items for the Barriere Food Bank during the upcoming Fall Fair’s Drive Thru Light Display.” (BRS submitted photo)

Curlers wanted – Barriere Curling Rink open for business

Plenty of ice time available while making sure COVID-19 restrictions are being followed

  • Dec 4, 2020
The Barriere Curling Rink will also be dressed up in lights during the North Thompson Fall Fair’s Christmas At The Fair Drive Thru Light Show on Dec. 19 - 23, from 5 - 8 p.m. “Curling Rink members were able to get some decorating done last weekend in readiness for the light show,” said club president Susan Bondar, “We will have a sleigh in our design and are hoping to have it filled with food items for the Barriere Food Bank during the upcoming Fall Fair’s Drive Thru Light Display.” (BRS submitted photo)
(Metro Creative photo)

$2,500 each available for 10 organizations from Local Sport Funding

Pacific Sport Interior BC announced last Monday that they will be providing…

(Metro Creative photo)
BCHL

BCHL pushes back season start due to provincial health orders

The delay is minimal, just six days, for now. But the league is open to starting up after Christmas

BCHL
The ‘new normal’ for hockey parents in Chilliwack and elsewhere in B.C., watching their kids from outside of the arena due to COVID-19 protocols. (Submitted photo)

Chilliwack hockey parents petition to be let back in the arena

Refused access due to pandemic protocols, parents are now applying pressure to loosen the rules

The ‘new normal’ for hockey parents in Chilliwack and elsewhere in B.C., watching their kids from outside of the arena due to COVID-19 protocols. (Submitted photo)