Ryan Gropp (left in blue) and Logan Stankoven have been skating together preparing for the upcoming season (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

HOCKEY TRAINING

Junior, pro players in Kamloops awaiting clarification to see if they can keep training

Dec 3, 2020 | 2:14 PM

KAMLOOPS — The junior and pro players from Kamloops don’t know when their seasons will begin — and they don’t even know if they’ll be able to continue to skate after Wednesday’s announcement banning all indoor sports for anyone older than 19.

But now, they keep to their small hockey bubble getting in all the ice times they can get.

“I’m just trying to stay busy, stay in shape, try not to get too far gone from what I might need to play or go to training camp,” said Joe Hicketts on Tuesday. “Still waiting to hear what that looks like.

Ryan Gropp added, “Obviously you would love to be playing, be in the full swing of the season, but I think lots of guys, myself included, just want to get better during this time and just take advantage of all the time we have in the gym, on the ice. It’s been kind of a blessing in disguise.”

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Gropp, who didn’t receive a qualifying offer from the New York Rangers this offseason, is a free agent. After spending three years with the AHL’s Hartford Wolfpack, he’s working towards earning a new contract.

“It’s a little bit of a different adjustment period,” he said. “There’s a lot of different moving parts with money, a new CBA [collective bargaining agreement], so it’s been an adjustment, but just looking to keep sharp on the ice and get going when the season gets going.”

On Wednesday, Dr. Bonnie Henry handed down the new restrictions after a old-timers hockey team from the Interior travelled to Alberta, bringing COVID-19 back to their community. The group’s organizer, Matt Kolle, is still waiting for clarification.

The group has been skating together since August, including Gropp and Hicketts. The younger players like Kamloops native Ryan Chyzowski, entering his final year with the Medicine Hat Tigers, appreciates being around guys like Gropp and Hicketts who set the pace.

“It’s good to stay up with the speed. Obviously with Joe and Gropper out there,” said Chyzowski. “They bring it up a little bit, so it’s good to just push yourself and still try and get better in a time where we can’t really play hockey.”

A few of the Blazers from out of town are out as well. Montana Onyebuchi and Sean Strange have been skating locally for the last couple months.

“To have a bunch of the Blazers come back and get into this ‘Kamloops cohort,’ I guess we can call it, it’s been nice to get some more competition and a higher level of play.”

The players, whether junior or pro, are trying to look at the positives, even with seasons like the Quebec major junior league and the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League suspended due to COVID-19. However, they still believe there will be somewhat of a hockey season.

“I’m still trying to stay as hopeful as I can, obviously with my last season in the WHL, but just seeing that is a little disappointing. It makes things look a little bit down, but obviously nothing’s happened yet and they haven’t announced anything bad yet, so I’m still just preparing fro the best and preparing for a good season.”

Some of the players may have to wait to get back on the ice after Wednesday’s new restrictions from the B.C. government.