Photo Courtesy: BC Hockey League

By Ethan Ready

BCHL Road Show

Spruce Kings to partake in 2022 BCHL Road Show in Burns Lake

Nov 25, 2021 | 10:09 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Prince George Spruce Kings will be hitting the road in a similar fashion as they did back in 2020.

On Thursday, the BC Hockey League announced details for its 2022 Road Show event, including dates, location and teams, as well as a partnership with the Lake Babine Nation, who will co-host the event.

The 2022 Road Show will take place in Burns Lake, B.C. on the traditional land of the Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation. The event is scheduled for Feb. 25 to 27, 2022 and will see the Spruce Kings and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks play a pair of regular-season games at Tom Forsyth Memorial Arena.

“After a year off last season, we are thrilled to bring the Road Show back in 2022,” said BCHL Commissioner Chris Hebb. “This event is a fantastic way for us to extend the league’s reach into communities that may not typically get to see this level of hockey and for us to engage with them in a personal and meaningful way. Kitimat was a great starting point for us and, through our partnership with Lake Babine Nation, we can’t wait to build on that success this season in Burns Lake.”

The Lake Babine Nation has announced that all surrounding First Nations have agreed to work together in support of the event, including Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band, Skin Tyee Nation and Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation.

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“On behalf of the Lake Babine Nation, I am very honoured to announce that we are bringing this wonderful event to Burns Lake that will feature the highest calibre of hockey, while also showcasing our Indigenous culture,” said Lake Babine Nation Chief Murphy Abraham. “As many are aware, Indigenous communities have experienced significant challenges this past year as we have had to deal with the painful losses of many loved ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic and we have been re-traumatized by the horrific discovery of now over 5,000 of our children who were forced to attend Indian Residential Schools and, tragically, never returned home to their parents, families and communities.”

“I strongly believe that this event will create positive memories for all children, youth and families who participate that will last a lifetime. I wish to express our Nation’s distinct pleasure to be working with the British Columbia Hockey League, Village of Burns Lake and Burns Lake Minor Hockey Association.”

Similar to the previous Road Show, the weekend will include more than just the on-ice action. BCHL players and staff will also engage in community events and initiatives such as school visits, hockey camps and more.

This will be the second Road Show event after the BCHL hosted games in Kitimat, B.C. in February of 2020.

Further details of the event will be announced in the coming weeks.