Canadian Senior Provincials 2008 Calgary

NicfromSweden 13
mani 8
bigmick 8
johncoxon 7
Paul Watts 6
majwalrus 5
silky 4
controller 4
Gocu 4
JiMMM 4

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[peterwins]

I am heading to Calgary next weekto play for Manitoba men.  Keely will be there as senior umpire/umpire manager/coach.  Anyone else from FHF going to be playing, umpiring, volunteering, watching?  While the men will be missing those fighting for spots on the Olympic squad, it should still be a good event.  it is a shame that there are only four men's teams when this event had eight or more ten years ago.  Perhaps a rules change could get more teams involved again?

The women's event should be good, and I am looking forward to my first visit to the turf facility at the Univ of Calgary.

peter

[serbulator]

I might go and watch, but it depends on if I have anything to do that day.

[keely]

I know BlackCat is one of my teammates, but Cascadia's too busy looking for a new place to live.

You can find the schedule on the FHA tournament homepage.

[BlackCat]

Yup, I'll be there as well.  Hoping for some nice hockey weather! 

PeterWins, question for you - how much does it cost for you to participate in this tournament?  I agree, it's a shame there isn't more team participating but then again, we'd need another pitch to fit more teams in.

What I'm more disappointed by is the lack of National team players on the men's side (and the women in some part).  I appreciate they just returned (or are in the process) from Europe but there always seems to be an excuse.  Last year it was post-Pan Am Games 'rest time', the year before that, did they even have a men's event?

It hardly makes for a serious National Championship when the best players aren't representing their home Provinces.  I know this is an annoyance for FHBC.

[peterwins]

my ticket (from New York) would have cost US $850 but I was amazingly able to use a freebie on united.  Am staying with hockey friends in calgary, so that saves another $200+.  Not sure what the Manitoba team levy will be.  I have played about 5-6 other senior nationals with Manitoba and an indoor nationals.  I will be the grey haired sweeper!

While I can understand it, it is still very disappointing not to have the national team men there.  The USA women just completed a tournament with the top 100 women in the USA and all the players were there fighting to be named to the final olympic team.  It would be great to see more teams and the best players involved.

Peter

[BlackCat]

While I can understand it, it is still very disappointing not to have the national team men there.  The USA women just completed a tournament with the top 100 women in the USA and all the players were there fighting to be named to the final olympic team.  It would be great to see more teams and the best players involved.

Wouldn't it be nice? 

[keely]

I can understand that the men at least have just come off several weeks of heavy competition and now might be an optimum time for a rest break as they cycle up to the Olympics. But that's part of the problem, in that the planning of national tournaments doesn't take into account the schedule of the national program. For example, when might it be ideal to hold what should be a primary selection event for the national teams in light of their competition schedule?

Several years ago Seniors was treated in this manner, with athletes being selected to remain at the tournament site for a training camp immediately after the tournament, based in part on their performance over the weekend. I imagine this was the idea behind the planned camp for the men's team here in Calgary that was to start on the 3rd or 4th but I understand has been canceled due to the low numbers (as none? only a few? of the current squad members are competing in the tourney before it). Again, it's a real shame as it was a chance for Calgary/Alberta-based athletes, coaches and umpires to observe the best coaches and players in their preparation. This is a key part of understanding the long-term athlete development model so that all regions in Canada can do a better job developing athletes, coaches and umpires who have what's needed to step into the national program.

We're losing all forms of connection between levels of hockey in Canada. Once we're isolated, we're even more vulnerable to losing our sport entirely.

[Fishyfish]

I can understand that the men at least have just come off several weeks of heavy competition and now might be an optimum time for a rest break as they cycle up to the Olympics. But that's part of the problem, in that the planning of national tournaments doesn't take into account the schedule of the national program. For example, when might it be ideal to hold what should be a primary selection event for the national teams in light of their competition schedule?

Several years ago Seniors was treated in this manner, with athletes being selected to remain at the tournament site for a training camp immediately after the tournament, based in part on their performance over the weekend. I imagine this was the idea behind the planned camp for the men's team here in Calgary that was to start on the 3rd or 4th but I understand has been canceled due to the low numbers (as none? only a few? of the current squad members are competing in the tourney before it). Again, it's a real shame as it was a chance for Calgary/Alberta-based athletes, coaches and umpires to observe the best coaches and players in their preparation. This is a key part of understanding the long-term athlete development model so that all regions in Canada can do a better job developing athletes, coaches and umpires who have what's needed to step into the national program.

We're losing all forms of connection between levels of hockey in Canada. Once we're isolated, we're even more vulnerable to losing our sport entirely.

All good points Keely, but who's that umpire from Calgary who will be doing the games?!  John something?  That's the sorta question we SHOULD be asking.

[Cascadia]

I know BlackCat is one of my teammates, but Cascadia's too busy looking for a new place to live.

That and I didn't get appointed. But yea, just as well, I've got too much stuff going on right now. Best of luck to all the umpires involved!!

[keely]

All good points Keely, but who's that umpire from Calgary who will be doing the games?!  John something?  That's the sorta question we SHOULD be asking.

Tell you what, Fishyfish, you're talking to the right person. As the senior umpire I'm in part responsible for the management and evaluation of the umpires at the tournament. I'd be happy to meet you face to face, shake your hand, look you in the eye and have a chat about some specific umpiring issues as you see them arising over the weekend. It's very important for there to be meaningful, informed exchange between umpires, players and coaches in order to not only improve the level of officiating but also the standards of play in the country. After all, we could have some of the best umpires in the world officiating at FHC tournaments but if the players and coaches aren't aware of what that means, we're shouting into the wind.

Of course, if this was just a convenient opportunity for you to hide behind a pseudonym and take pot shots at a dedicated and respected member of our hockey community with zero accountability for your comments, then we are certainly going to miss out on that meaningful exchange.

I look forward to meeting you this week, Fishyfish.

[aus in Van]

Wonder how the standard of the mens side will be without the 18 who were just in EU?

Does anyone think that the efforts of the few guys in the nat squad at this tourney will havce any influence on the olympic team??


Looking at BCs team, i think there is a strong chance that Manitoba can win it all!! bc is a young team this year, my tip is for Manitoba to take it out!!

[peterwins]

Aus in Van

will you be in Calgary playing?  I hope your prophesy of good times for Manitoba is correct, but I think they are still very much the underdogs.

[aus in Van]

not this year, but I know a bunch of the guys who have 'adopted' Manitoba as thier home province! Great Blokes and good players as well. They will enjoy having a beer with their new provincial mates!!!

[peterwins]

on th men's side, ontario took alberta reasobnably easily and BC just edged Manitoba 2-1.  I thoroughly enjoyed playing defense with my friend Johnny Mac in goal and with Andrew, Dave abd richard as the other (BC) members of the back four.  Matt worked very hard in midfield and the manitoba guys gave a good effort.  with a couple more players coming from Winnipeg tomorrow, we'll see how that improves things.

Peter