Chris Clegg
South Peace News
Let’s play hockey!
The High Prairie Regals were accepted back into the NPHL at a league Zoom meeting Sept. 16 and will play their first regular season game in 2,092 days when they host the defending league champion Spirit River Rangers Oct. 26 at the Sports Palace.
The team’s application to rejoin the NPHL was rejected at the spring meeting the last two years and the outlook was not good to ice a team this season. NPHL bylaws allow for teams to join the league only at the spring meeting; however, the newly-elected Regals executive used an obscure clause in the NPHL constitution and were allowed to submit a late bid. The bid was 50 pages long and probably the best ever submitted to the league.
The vote was not disclosed.
A new NPHL draft schedule including the Regals was immediately released to teams and finalized Sept. 19.
Newly-elected president Lindsay Davies says the team was confident their bid would be approved.
“I knew we had a good shot,” she says.
“Everything fell together quickly and we worked as a team,” she adds.
“Our focus was to make amends with the league and demonstrate we had a new, viable and competitive club.”
The team met Sept. 10 to organize a bid although groundwork occurred before. Two days later, Sept. 12, the team elected a new executive. The bid was submitted to the NPHL Sept. 15. The NPHL planned to meet Sept. 18 but teams pushed the meeting forward to Sept. 16 to decide the matter.
Since the Regals were accepted back into the league, other people have stepped forward to help.
“There are a lot of new faces and volunteers,” says Davies, who also serves as president of hockey operations.
Peter Keay is vice-president, Julie Bellerose is treasurer, Sheila Breast is secretary, Barry Sharkawi and Bruce Willier are in charge of sponsorship and fundraising directors, and Larkin Stokes in in charge of equipment and communications. Keygon Okemow is the social media and player representative. Charity Meyaard is the registrar. Other directors are Harold Bellerose, Ron Bellerose, Zac Kuchuk, Jimmy McLean, Robert Olanski, Carl Smith, and Dwayne Thunder.
Trent Meyaard, who led the High Prairie Junior A Red Wings to titles the last three years as head coach, is the Regals’ head coach.
“His name was brought forward,” says Davies.
“Knowing his ability to coach a new system of hockey and compete in addition to the respect he’s earned with players and community . . . the choice was obvious.”
For her part, Davies says she joined the team due to the enthusiasm shown by players.
“Providing players with the opportunity to play at home will – hopefully – encourage them to stay in the area and contribute in many ways,” she says.
Support from the fan base is also positive.
“I can’t walk down the street without someone stopping me to talk Regals. The communities are excited. This is a hockey community and people want to get involved and play.”
Davies is confident the executive can ice a skilled and competitive team and offer a great experience for fans and players.