Excitement Builds as House League Interlock Games Begin for BMHA 99ers House League Teams
Submitted By
Rob Symons on Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Brantford
99ers House League teams, from Atom to Bantam, will face some new competition
this season. Our teams will have the opportunity to play a series of interlock
games with Brantford Church Hockey League (Saints) and Woodstock Minor Hockey
(Jr Navy Vets). You will notice in team schedules, a number of
interlock games kick off this coming weekend (October 13 and 14). As fellow
Alliance Hockey associations, BMHA, BCHL, and WMHA are working together this
season to help provide a fantastic experience for minor hockey players in our
communities.
While Brantford Minor Hockey has had a strong response to registration for the 2018-19 season, hockey registration numbers in Canada are trending downward. Alliance Hockey acknowledges this trend and has been working with its member associations on programs to help “Grow the Game”. Initiatives include Association Welcome Events, Alliance Hockey Jersey Day (October 12), and Bring a Buddy (November 3).
This season, Alliance Hockey and these three associations are taking “Grow the Game” a step further. Since holding discussions with Alliance Hockey last , representatives from each association have worked together, creating an interlock schedule for Atom, Peewee, and Bantam House League teams.
Benefits include the chance for our 99ers house league players to play new teams throughout the season, play in rinks they may not have played in before, and an opportunity to experience travel hockey, within a very close proximity to Brantford. This has also helped BMHA assemble appropriate sized teams. Rather than 4 teams too large or 6 teams too small, we can now have an odd number of teams if needed.
While this can impact families who have a number of children in our house league system, the number of "away games" are limited. You will also find most road games to be mid to late afternoon on Saturdays, which should rarely conflict with morning practice schedule for most divisions. Early reception has been positive, with many players and families excited for new competition and different venues to visit. BMHA is thrilled with this new opportunity. Good luck to our 99ers house league teams this season!