We work hard to make hockey everyone's game

At Hockey Calgary, we must be its stewards, Kevin Kobelka writes.

Hockey is a passion in Calgary. It's not a seasonal hobby, nor is it a sport that Calgarians have a fleeting interest in — yes, for some, hearing about hockey may mean little more than a sign that winter is once again on its way, but for many, hockey is a year-round obsession that knows no real off-season.

The last two years have been extremely difficult on the sport of hockey, and more so on the youth who engage in this great game. The pandemic hit the sport hard, forcing the cancellation of playoffs in March 2020, an extremely abbreviated season in 2020-21 and a season with many restrictions in 2021-22.

While last year's season was almost back to normal compared to the 2020-21 iteration, leagues across the country were forced to deal with vaccine passports, arena capacity limits and masking, to name just a few wrinkles. These restrictions also took their toll on registration, as families were forced to make decisions on whether or not to register their children in organized sport. Over the last

two years, overall registration is down close to 11 per cent in Calgary, which is a significant concern.

Adding to this, the recent news surrounding Hockey Canada and its handling of an incident with the world junior team in the summer of 2018 has created a cause for concern in the direction and future of the game.

Difficult conversations need to be had in order to move the game forward and make it one that all Calgarians and Canadians aspire to be a part of. Hockey Canada has released an action plan to address concerns and issues that are present in the game today, and it will be the job of the provincial branches and the minor hockey associations like Hockey Calgary to hold Hockey Canada accountable to this plan — an activity we are fully committed to. The sport of hockey needs to continue to evolve and improve its culture if we hope to see the sport become more inclusive and accepting and become the sport of choice for Canadians moving forward.

At Hockey Calgary, we pride ourselves on providing different streams of hockey to meet the needs of the numerous customers we have. We truly believe that hockey is “Everyone's Game” and that is why we embarked on a campaign this off-season to highlight what we have to offer and the many aspects the game of hockey provides for families involved, from playing to volunteering and everything in between — a campaign we still wholeheartedly believe in.

Hockey is so much more than just a game to those who play, watch, coach, referee or otherwise contribute to it.

It's an opportunity to meet lifelong friends, learn valuable lessons in teamwork, respect and leadership, to exercise and be active, and work toward a shared goal.

Hockey is part of the very fabric and identity of our country and our communities, and possibly our most visible and well-known cultural export. It's simultaneously uniting and a source of great rivalry, à la the Battle of Alberta. It truly is Everyone's Game.

While the overall numbers may be down, we are seeing terrific growth in areas of our game that speak to inclusion. In Calgary, we have put a focus on ensuring there is programming available for everyone: from Timbits to house and recreational leagues, all the way to elite programming.

There truly is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the game of hockey. In fact, the fastest-growing segment of our programming is female hockey programs. We're also seeing increasing interest in non-body checking programs and First Shift-try Hockey programs, which both sell out in rapid fashion. So far this summer, we are seeing a rebound in our registration and we are hopeful these are signs that the game is heading in the right direction to becoming a more open, inclusive and accepting game with opportunities available for all skill and commitment levels.

If this summer has taught us anything, it has taught us that we need to be stewards of the game. We have a collective responsibility to leave the sport better than we found it. Hockey IS Everyone's Game, and it is up to all of us; parents, players, coaches, and volunteers, to ensure the pillars of the sport — respect, honesty, integrity and transparency — are championed and instilled in the game and those who play it well before the puck is dropped.