The core of the 2023 Canadian Armed Forces national old timer’s men’s hockey championship team is on the ice in Greenwood, ready to take newcomers – and all comers – through CAF Atlantic regionals, starting February 5, and the coming 2024 nationals.
“We’re not worried,” says team captain Warrant Officer Jeff Hull, a returning member of that 2023 national championship team.
This, despite losing nine members of that 2023 roster.
“We’ve got three forward lines and four defence, three goalies and, the big difference for us is, we’d lost three of our main ‘young’ guys last year due to work commitments – they couldn’t come to nationals with us. This year will be different.”
The 2023 head coach, Warrant Officer Dave Jamieson, returns this year as assistant coach to 2023 athlete Chief Warrant Officer Dave McDowell, on the bench as head coach. Hull is backed by assistant captains Sergeant Dave Jenkins, Warrant Officer Pier-Olivier Poulin and Master Corporal Luke Verran.
Hull says fluctuating rosters are par for the course, particularly in old timers’ hockey, as work demands, and often injuries and even retirements; make their mark.
“Still, we have our core – we’re just missing a few key pieces. But, we’re really strong on D, we’ve got goalie Warrant Officer Jeff Brooks back again, and we’re hosting regionals. That’s an advantage for us in our smaller rink: we’re used to playing in it. There’s not as much room as in the bigger rinks the other teams are used to.
“We’re going to try and repeat, so there’s a little pressure.”
Greenwood’s old timers have doubled up weekly practices in the past month, and most members play regularly in a community league with separate teams. Some also play military intersection hockey with their units through the winter. The most recent focus has been working on certain “systems,” Hull says, including effective power plays and penalty kills.
Teams will be on the ice February 5 for practice sessions: Greenwood at 10 a.m., followed by Halifax at 1 p.m. and Shearwater at 2:30 p.m. A pre-tournament briefing and officials’ meeting will be 3:30 p.m. February 5 at the Fitness & Sports Centre. The evening meet and greet will begin at 6 p.m.
February 6, the tournament’s opening ceremonies, including g formal puck drop and team photos, will be held at the Greenwood Gardens at 8:45 a.m. Greenwood takes on Halifax in the 9 a.m. opener. Shearwater faces Halifax in a 4:30 p.m. game.
February 7, Greenwood meets Shearwater at 9:30 a.m. The team with the best record advances directly to the February 9, 9:30 a.m. final; second vs third will play off February 8 at 9:30 a.m.
February 9’s final at 9:30 a.m. will be immediately followed by closing ceremonies (by 11:30 a.m.)
