the other press >>>SPORTS Tough decision, “junior” elite junior hockey league in BC. This league has also expanded over the past decade, to the point where it now has a separate BC divi- sion, with five teams in Kamloops, Kelowna, Cranbrook, Prince George, and Vancouver. The newest franchise on the block, the Vancouver Giants, completed their inaugural season, and like most expansion teams, struggled to find victories. Even so, WHL fran- chises in general operate with much larger budgets than their BCHL counterparts, and are able to send their scouts all over the province, hungry to find new talent to help turn their clubs into winners. Sean Kelso, director of media relations for the Giants, is convinced the Bantam draft is great for hockey. “Ten years ago, teams [in our league] could only afford one scout. Now, most teams have 10 regional scouts, and it’s evolving every year. That’s how we’re going to develop our team.” The Bantam draft has increased to the point where now the event can last up to 10 rounds. Young 14 year-olds all around BC have an opportunity to become the property of a WHL franchise. These WHL clubs all have protected lists, and once a play- er is on their list, that particular player cannot go to another WHL team unless they’re trad- ed. So, when a 14 year-old is drafted, he basi- cally has two choices: he can agree to play with that club, or he can instead go to a BCHL team. The WHL doesn’t hide from their man- date, which is to develop their players for the NHL. And Kelso fully believes that the WHL is the best opportunity for these hockey players to enhance their skills in an effort to one day reach their goal, and make the NHL. “This level of hockey is spreading,” he says proudly. “The popularity (of hockey) is only beginning. With our success at the Olympics, including the women, the sport will continue to grow. We're pretty well spread out around BC.” He is also convinced that the popularity of junior hockey in general will continue to grow. Their league also experienced record crowds, and they expect the number to reach 2.7 million when the season comes to a conclusion. Despite this alluring carrot, young hockey players still have to be wise in their decision. Agreeing to play in the WHL doesn’t guaran- tee you'll even get drafted by the NHL, never mind getting to play. Some players develop quicker than others, and that is why the BCHL isn’t such a bad decision. For some players, it's actually a better option. “Kids in minor hockey, when they reach that age, have a tough decision,” says Boileau. “If they go and play one game in the WHL, they kiss that US scholarship goodbye.” Yes, education can factor into a player's decision. BCHL teams don’t have protected lists. Instead, it’s up to individual teams to market themselves, and send out invites to players to attend their evaluation camps. And their camps can be quite diversified: rookies, former WHL players, cuts, or players returning for another season. Naturally, every team is different, and expansion teams like Coquitlam and Salmon Arm have to work even harder to build their team. Still, for most players, there is a different “carrot”: a chance at a US scholar- ship, and an education. In their League Mission Statement, the BCHL claims: “We are committed to providing players with the greatest possible competi- tion, opportunity, development and exposure, in order that they are best able to achieve long term success on an athletic, personal, “The ones who are most successful in life are those with a good education. fi US scholarship can set you up for life if you are a decent hockey player.” and academic level.’ Boileau adds, “The ones who are most successful in life are those with a good education. A US scholarship can set you up for life if you are a decent hockey play- er. They have alumni associations to set you up with a good job once you graduate.” He points to the success of current Vancouver Canucks assistant manager, Dave Nonis, a BCHL grad who didn’t quite make it to the NHL. However, Nonis completed his educa- tion, and now holds an excellent job with an NHL club, and could very well be a general manager in the near future. The WHL also offers a chance at an educa- tion, albeit a Canadian one. The league offers a $2500 scholarship at the end of each sea- son to their players who are interested in attending a Canadian university. The only drawback is if a player signs a professional contract, even if it's with an East Coast league team. “Once those players sign that contract,” says Boileau, “they kiss that (schol- arship) money goodbye.” Kelso doesn’t seem to think that’s a problem. “Players know that coming in. Our goal is to develop our players and help them get better.” In all honesty, the WHL is run more like a business, whereas the BCHL is run as an opportunity. Still, all levels of junior teams only succeed when their build- ing is full, and their team is popular. If atten- dance lags, the team could get moved, like Victoria a few years ago in the WHL, and more recently, Burnaby in the BCHL. And how much attention does a player get from NHL scouts, if the building he’s playing in is empty? The future of junior hockey looks bright. Attendance continues to increase at all levels, and more and more kids are signing up for minor hockey. Many associations in the Lower Mainland like Coquitlam have waiting lists, with both boys and girls eager to lace up the skates and hit the ice. The WHL will increase by one more team in time for the 2003-04 season, when Everett is added to the U.S. division. The BCHL, as mentioned, will be at 17 teams when the puck drops this September. And both leagues believe, for the time being, that further expansion is probably on hold. “Our expansion needs are over,” says Boileau. “We’re limited by arenas. | mean, look at Nelson. They have a great market, but no rink.” The WHL is basically in the same boat. “I think we’re maxed out,” says Kelso. “We have to make sure the teams in (current) markets are solid.” In a sense, more improvement has to be made at the grass-roots level to ensure junior hockey maintains its current percep- tion. Naturally, Canada’s success at the Olympics helps. Canadians are once again excited about hockey, and by the looks of it, enrollment at the minor league level will con- tinue to grow. As for the present future, Kelso is working hard preparing for the Bantam draft. Vancouver ended the season with a brutal 20-game winless streak, and he agrees that the team has to perform better on the ice to ensure the large crowds continue to fill the Pacific Coliseum off the ice. Meanwhile, Ron Boileau intends to move to Penticton during the off-season, where he will have more room to store his memorabilia. He has no intention of leaving his position, however. “I would do it for free if | didn’t need the money to support myself,” he says, smiling. Back at the rink, regardless of the outcome, minor hockey players, similar to that tall, lanky winger of Coquitlam, will always face the same dilemma: BCHL or WHL? Really, is there a difference? Everyone has opinions, and every player has different ideas of what's best for them, but in reality, British Columbians love their hockey, whether it’s BCHL, WHL, or the NHL, and that’s the bot- tom line.