The Battlefords AAA Stars and AAA Sharks, like many teams across the province, have remained largely in limbo through much of the winter, awaiting the latest updates on the hockey season. (file photos/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

hockey on hold

Local AAA teams react to season postponement

Jan 22, 2021 | 2:06 PM

The local AAA hockey program in the Battlefords received some tough news Thursday, as it was announced both the male and female Sask. U18 AAA leagues would be postponing their seasons indefinitely.

The announcement was made via joint statement between the two leagues, following an extension of current restrictions by the provincial government earlier this month and accompanying likelihood that a return to game play would be unlikely to occur prior to the end of March.

Head coach of the AAA Sharks, Ricci Girolami said the news of the indefinite postponement was tough to receive, after months of waiting and hoping for positive news about a return to play.

“The girls are kind of feeling down, and it’s sort of like the wind got let out of their sails at this last announcement,” Girolami said.

“They have remained so positive throughout the year and there was always that dangling carrot in front of us, of waiting until the next announcement, then the next one, so this latest news has just been kind of tough,” he added.

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While not ending all hope of an eventual return, the indefinite postponement does allow for teams to send their billeted players home if they so choose.

Teams can then also decide on an individual basis if they want to shut things down altogether for the season, or continue to hold limited practices as has been the case up until now.

Both Girolami and AAA Stars coach, Dale Grayston, said while billeted players will have the opportunity to head home, the teams still fully intend to continue to offer limited practices or ‘skills sessions’ multiple days a week for those in the community and surrounding area able to drive in.

Grayston said while the news of the indefinite postponement was ‘certainly a bit disheartening,’ the team remains hopeful moving forward, with an emphasis on doing whatever they can to help continue to guide their players to be the best they can be.

“It’s just about doing anything we can to help them with their development,” Grayston said. “Our players all wanted to be part of a competitive league and improve their own development through that league, so we’ll keep doing skill sessions through February and March until we get more of a word on what’s going on, and hopefully at some point we can return.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1