Kings back in play

Times Reporter 

 

Following a yearlong leave of absence, the Junior B Strathmore Wheatland Kings are returning to the ice in the Heritage Junior Hockey League for 2014-2015. Strathmore Minor Hockey will operate the team through a separate not-for-profit board. Players who are now in their late teen years, and finished with minor hockey, have the chance to continue with Strathmore Minor Hockey, and play closer to home–reducing travel.

“I think it’s the best of both worlds for Strathmore Minor Hockey, ourselves, and especially for the players,” said Doug Murphy, vice president of hockey with the Wheatland Kings. “We’re happy the team is back, and we’ll be happy to have the same level of support we’ve had before. We look forward to a new season.”

The Strathmore Wheatland Kings were established in 2008 by Murphy, Bob Grove and Tom Wynnyk. Wynnyk left the group after three years, and upon finishing the 2012-2013 season, Murphy and Grove decided to spend more time with family.

“Bob Grove and I were sort of carrying most of the team for the last couple of years. We decided to take a year’s leave of absence and decide what we both wanted to do,” Murphy said, the teams previous coach, general manager, and president. “It was tough. It kind of shocked the league a bit. Over the course of five seasons had gotten better and better. Most of the other teams figured that we were one of the better organized teams – it caught them a little off guard.”

Murphy and Grove will assist the Strathmore Minor Hockey group transition with the operation of the team, but to a much lesser degree than previous years; Murphy is also a member on the new board for the Kings, to provide advice and support moving forward with the HJHL. Murphy will begin the search for a new general manager and coaching team in the next few weeks.

“We have the core group required to get the team off to a new fresh start and we are lucky enough to have dedicated members who share our passion for hockey,” said Blair Wilson, president of SMHA in a press release. “The opportunities this team will open for our local athletes are only one of the many reasons SMHA chose to take this path.  The SMHA board and members along with our passionate community will surely help this team succeed in this new beginning.”

Kings games, Murphy said, will also boost the community involvement, as nearly 500 fans would attend previous home games – even reaching 800 guests come playoffs.

“The team has great support,” he said. “It’s been fairly consistent over the years. There’s a really strong fan base and volunteer base. We would expect it to stay the same.” 

Though availability for ice time may be a concern, Murphy is also looking to retain players from the 2012-2013 team, who finished fourth in the south division with a 17-19-1-1 record. Murphy was able to protect five players’ rights, but others have moved on to teams in British Columbia, Three Hills, and Okotoks.

“We’ll ask the other teams and the league to encourage the teams to let them come back to us. Hopefully all the teams are in agreement with that,” Murphy said.

With the search for a new roster beginning in May, followed by a conditioning camp and tryouts in August, Murphy says he’s excited to give the opportunity of sport to 18 to 21-year-olds in Strathmore.

“Sport teaches you a lot about life. If you can carry that discipline and teamwork and camaraderie into your late teen years, it becomes very forming on guys,” he said. “A lot of older ex-players remember their junior years and teammates probably more than anything else.”