New Senior hockey team asks for a reduced cost for practice time

New RHL team renamed as Huskies

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

New RHL Huskies logo

Jeff Kaupp appeared before Pincher Creek's Town Council on July 23 as a delegation on behalf of the new Ranchland Hockey League (RHL) team that is forming around players from Pincher Creek and the Crowsnest Pass.

"I'm just here to update everybody on the senior hockey team," Kaupp said.  "There have been a few changes, I hope that sway your decisions."  One change is that the team name will be the Huskies, instead of the Sulphur Kings.

Kaupp requested a reduction to half price for the ice time for practices, while still paying full rate for games.  "We're not going to cut into the prime ice time," said Kaupp, referring to the practice times.  He also mentioned that last year some of the teams in the RHL had their games on Thursdays and Sundays.  He said 16 local people are interested in playing.

"It's typically one game here every weekend or every other weekend.  The league has been cut down to  five teams, and that is a change from what I originally reported," Kaupp explained.  "From last  year, the Cowboys have taken a leave of absence, and Kainai and Siksika have both been rejected for various reasons, so we have five teams now."  

"The plan is for 18 regular season games, three exposition games, and the playoffs are dependent, it adds up to about another three games total," he said.  Kaupp said they were looking at  approximately 3 hours a week practice time for 24 weeks over the course of the season.

Councillor Wayne Oliver asked "Do you see this as a one year request, as this is a new team, to get things going?"   Kaupp said he wanted to concentrate on this year first, but once he had a more solid foundation regarding the team and the league, he could see things changing in the future.

Council has yet to make a formal decision on the matter.

The Ranchland Hockey League is soliciting serious applications from Southern Alberta communities that are interested in forming a team for the 2012/13 season.  Visit www.ranchlandhockey.com  or email ranchlandhockeyleague@telus.net for more information.

See also: Crow Creek Huskies Senior 'A' Team forming to compete in RHL