Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

HOCKEY'S BACK

Kamloops businesses hope NHL season brings benefits amid the pandemic

Jan 13, 2021 | 5:02 PM

KAMLOOPS — The sound of steel on a sharpening wheel will be heard in NHL arenas across the continent Wednesday (Jan. 13). The best players in the world will lace up their skates, as the National Hockey League regular season kicks off for another COVID-shortened season. For hockey people like Russ Hunter, it’s a welcome diversion.

“It’s the game we love, the greatest game on Earth,” Hunter says. “I think it’s going to bring a lot of excitement to a lot of folks who have been waiting for this day for a long time.”

The Players Bench owner has been in the hockey business for nearly three decades. The long-time retailer is stocked up with the latest NHL gear — including a number of the Retro Rewind jerseys that were unveiled after the last season ended. Now he’s hoping hockey fans will want to suit up in their team’s colours.

“One would assume that with the start of the NHL [season] that there will be an uptick in sales. I’m certainly hopeful,” Hunter says.

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Along with retailers, pubs are another business that could see a positive impact from the return of pro hockey to the airwaves.

“With COVID, you never know how things are going to play out,” Rob Wiggins, owner of Pogue Mahone’s Irish Alehouse and the Central Station Pub, says. “We are hopeful that we’re going have some people come in and eat some food and watch some great hockey.”

January is a time when businesses like retailers, pubs and restaurants generally see a slowdown. The restrictions put in place due to the pandemic seem to have compounded that lull.

“Typically, January is a slow month,” Wiggins says. “It definitely has been quite a bit slower due to the regulations that are in place.”

Despite fewer customers coming in for a bite and brewski, he’s noticed more and more folks are opting to bring the pub fare home.

“Take-out has been something we’ve been doing a lot more of,” Wiggins says, “through third-party apps and people picking up here at the pub.”

Each NHL team is scheduled to play 56 games, instead of the regular 82. COVID-19 has forced a temporary realignment of the divisions in order to minimize travel. With an all-Canadian North Division and three US-based divisions, there should be compelling match-ups to watch on any given night.

“Maybe the Las Vegas Golden Knights are the team to win this truncated season?” Hunter suggests.

Whoever you cheer for, hockey is back. You can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from excited fans from all across Canada.