Hockey Starts the weekend in Osoyoos
A sign of fall coming is the start of hockey in Osoyoos this weekend.
The Osoyoos Coyotes are back with the same coach, Jackson Playfair and that is where the similarity ends.
The Coyotes look different with a dark blue and tan uniform, with a new owner and a new league.
The long lasting KIJHL, the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League formed in 1967 has become the British Columbia Hockey Conference Junior A League. The Coyotes were originally put in the Kootenay Division playing teams from the East Kootenays such as Fernie and Kimberely, however the league has done a bit of jockeying and the Osoyoos Coyotes are now in the Valley Division.
Joining them are the Princeton Posse, who lost a 7-game series to Kimberley in the final KIJHL hockey series this past spring; the Summerland Jets who have been without a team for two years; the Chilliwack Jets and the Langley Clippers. Yes folks, two teams with the Jets moniker.
The Osoyoos Coyotes will take on the Grand Forks Border Bruins Saturday night with the first pre-season game and the starting time is 6:50 or ten minutes earlier than previous seasons.
What is unusual is that the Grand Forks Border Bruins have been traveling by bus to Osoyoos each day for the past 4 days to practice as the Grand Forks arena had a bit of a fire they think was caused by careless smoking.
It will be a new-look team as there has been some dealing of players over the summer months.
And speaking of different, wait until you get a look at the inside of the Sunbowl Arena which is taking on a new look with the new team colours.
It is time to welcome Junior A hockey to Osoyoos and owner Justin Styffe said he’d like to see a banner hanging from the arena’s row of hockey triumphs by Osoyoos teams from minor hockey right up to the KIJHL and now the BCHC.
Can he do it in the first year. The original Coyotes did win it all in the first year 2010-11.
Styffe and Playfair have something to shoot or as well as the opponents goal. Good luck guys and give-er.
** article sent in to Editor, from excited Osoyoos Community member, who wished to not have their name published.