Rival hockey leagues kiss and make up!
The BC Hockey League and the Western Hockey League aren’t trying to point it as the solution to global warming.
But the rival circuits are at least starting to cool the rhetoric, recognizing that each has a role in upholding the development of junior hockey.
Since being brought together by Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson for an Aug. 24 meeting in Ottawa that included other Junior A and Major Junior reps, new BCHL president John Grisdale and WHL commissioner Ron Robison have kept the lines of communication open.
As the BCHL kicks off with eight games this weekend, Grisdale and Robison have a meeting Saturday in Vernon.
That by itself can be seen as ground-breaking since the two leagues have long been at philosophical odds with each other.
The BCHL calls itself a developmental league that keeps players eligible for NCAA scholarships en route to the NHL draft.
The WHL has a higher level of competition along the NHL road and provides university scholarship options to players after their junior careers are over.
Less-than-cordial repartee never made it easy for familes and players to choose. Grisdale’s attempt to foster a relationship with the WHL caught Robison off guard.
“As relations have been strained over the last few years, I was pleasantly surprised by John Grisdale’s appointment,” said Robison. “We all have to ensure information provided to players….is accurate.”
Grisdale, a former Vancouver Canuck, said: “Every team in every league would like to have the best players. But it’s making sure the information is correctly given. If we find someone…representing either league incorrectly, then we need to deal with it. Both sides need to present each other’s information with no slant.”
Hockey Canada sensed enough concern in this portion of its junior hockey delivery system to gather the two sides togehter for the first time in 26 years.
“The more we’re communicating, the more we gain an appreciation of the other’s position,” said Robison. “it is important for us …to act responsibly so that the players have the best system to play in.”
