Episode 1: The Empire Crumbles
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far, away…
The is hardly an ode to Star Wars, akin to the last time we could all enter a hockey rink and enjoy the game we all love. The last WHL goal scored in front of a live crowd was the Victoria Royals game-winning tally against the Kelowna Rockets on March 11th, 2020. They went on to win the game 3-2 in regulation thanks to Brayden Tracey’s 22nd goal of the season, with 11:22 left in the third period.
The attendance was announced at 4,780 that night. Prospera Place, the home of the Rockets, has a capacity of 6,886. That night they were at roughly 70% capacity during the contest, and one must wonder, was anyone worried about Covid-19 that night?
The very next day, the season was paused by WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. It was such a confusing time for everyone. The news was coming in quickly and we were all unsure just what we were dealing with. We learned details the same day that an individual in Saskatoon had tested positive after returning from a trip to Egypt. I can recall being confused as to the depth of this virus and the potential consequences it could have.
We all know the story as it continued to grip our attention over the following weeks and months. We went through different stages of worry, anxiety, and concern. Our families always seemed at arm’s length, normalcy was a word we used to describe a sense of our previous lives, and anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers became a thing. All along, almost all sports fans were left, sitting at home wondering. Pondering. Exasperated. Craving their sports, they hold so close to their heart.
Episode 2: The Empire Rebuilds
As a lifelong fan of sports, hockey to be more exact has pulled my family closer together. I remember talking to my grandpa who was a lifelong Red Wings fan about his love of the sport. Terry Sawchuk and Glenn Hall. Ted Lindsay and Gordie Howe. He gushed over his beloved Red Wings and how important they were to him. If that isn’t enough to tug on your heartstrings, my dad, Raymond Sr. is also a die-hard Red Wings fan. The 1990’s Red Wings were a dream come true. 62 wins in 1996 and the run of cups, he was on cloud nine. Red Wings hats, jackets, shirts, and garbage cans adorned our household for years.
Let’s hop in a DeLorean and jump back to the 1970s in the WHL. Before the Blades had SaskTel Center and the Warriors had Mosaic Place. There was the lovingly nicknamed “Barn” in downtown Saskatoon. Constructed of wood and overlooking the river, it was indeed, a pile of wood. It had a leaky roof and very few amenities in comparison to most arenas today. Possibly the most infamous of them all was the crushed can in Moose Jaw. The sloped roof was its calling card and at the time it was constructed, was an architectural home run. The cable structure was not only unique but highly cost-effective.
Over the decades, teams built, altered, upgraded, and improved their facilities. Not only for the fan experience but also for the teams themselves. Fitness rooms, trainer’s rooms, offices for coaches and to watch video. Junior hockey took big leaps to make themselves more pro-like. In turn, the quality of the players improved as did the quality of play. The days of the goon went by the wayside. A more strategic and close-checking game evolved, and this is the style as we know it today.
Episode 3: The Empire Fights Back
As we close in on the first puck being dropped on October 1st, many things come to mind. The smell of popcorn as we enter the arena. That smell is one of comfort and belonging. The sound of people chatting casually in the stands. Discussing the team’s flaws or telling their long-time season ticket neighbor about their children and their accomplishments. Two long-time friends running into each other and catching up after far too long. Kids with their mini sticks seeing who can raise the puck the highest. The in-rink announcer telling you to watch for pucks leaving the playing surface. When the lights go down and the new intro video comes on you get chills.
You can fully expect the following during the first game. Those over-priced adult beverages will be very delicious. Someone will yell “shoot the puck” on the first power-play. Many, many mini-donuts will be consumed and not all by children. You’ll hear the “oohs and aahs” ring through the building on a close play. When the home team scores, the rookies will really feel what’s special about the WHL. And even though it seems like a long time ago, our game is in the same galaxy. No matter what, on October 1st, it will feel like, March 12th, 2020.
