Some of the sights from Tuesday night’s First Shift program welcome event. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Introduction to hockey

First Shift program kicks off in the Battlefords

Oct 20, 2021 | 1:00 PM

The Battlefords Minor Hockey Association (BMHA) held their welcome evening to kick off another year of the First Shift Program in the community, Tuesday night at the Alex Dillabough Centre in Battleford.

The evening provided a chance for those ages six to 10 involved in this year’s program to pick up their equipment fitted correctly for them. They will use the equipment for their ice time sessions over the next six weeks as they learn the fundamentals of hockey through various drills and games.

A young hockey player picks up his First Shift jersey at Tuesday’s welcome event. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Marion Michnik, who was there with her daughter Berkley, said she was impressed with just how quick the staff were able to get the equipment fitted, and supplied for each of the kids.

“We’re very excited about it to start, [and] I can’t believe how organized this is and how much equipment they get,” she said. “This is a great program and we can’t wait. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

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Edmonton Oilers alum, Eric Gryba was on-hand for the night’s event, as he will serve as a coach with the program in the community this year. He said just helping out with the First Shift program, and being a part of introducing hockey to the next generation, is something he’s more than happy to do.

“It means a lot to me to be from Saskatchewan and be able to give back to local communities and help get kids into hockey,” Gryba said. “Obviously it’s a great initiative, and hockey is a sport that gave me a lot in my life. So it’s nice to have these opportunities to give back.”

Eric Gryba took the time to talk with families and pose for pictures throughout the night. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

When asked if the evening brought back any memories of his own start in hockey, the hulking 6-4 former pro couldn’t help but smile.

“Hope their skates don’t hurt as much as my first pair did,” he said with a laugh. “But it’s just a really exciting time for them to get all new equipment and be able to get on the ice and learn about the game, so it’s just great to see how happy they are to be here.”

Each child was fitted for the proper equipment, including a pair of skates. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

President of Battlefords Minor Hockey, Kyle Kellgren echoed that sentiment, adding that with another program sellout this year, it only bodes well for the future of hockey in the community.

“This is the eighth or ninth year selling out which is really exciting. This is a great new group of kids coming in, with a lot of girls and boys,” Kellgren said. “We’ve seen a real influx of female hockey in the Battlefords so it’s been great to see that continue, and just to see all the first-timers with big smiles. It’s a good time for us as minor hockey to have new people coming in and growing for the future.”

Staff from Battlefords Minor Hockey and the First Shift program, pictured here, are integral to the initiative’s success each year. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1