By Matt Fetinko

Northern Capitals coaches doing what they can for players’ season, futures

Dec 18, 2020 | 6:42 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Athletes in the north are no strangers to the additional hurdles they have to hop in order to continue their playing careers on a bigger stage. With COVID forcing games and competitions on hold, getting the exposure players need is even tougher, especially for a team like the Northern Capitals.

A few games in November is all the Northern Capitals have had so far this season with COVID restrictions hammering down on the sporting world. For women’s hockey where there are fewer options available than their male counterparts, for example, playing time means even more. Similar to UNBC’s basketball and soccer teams not having games, U Sports hockey is not crowning a champion this season, similar to other college leagues across Canada.

“We have a coach with numerous years of experience in women’s hockey who has moved a lot of girls through the Capitals program to university hockey so I know he’s been working hard with his contacts to introduce our product in terms of what our grade 12’s have to offer,” explained Hayden Berra, Assistant Coach for the Northern Capitals.

Most of those decisions are likely to come in January, but in all likelihood, it means fewer spots will be available for any graduating girls looking to continue their hockey careers. The Northern Caps coaching staff have been very hands-on this year in terms of communicating wants and interests for players hoping to take that next step. Then behind the scenes, a lot of work on the phones as the coaching staff sells their players to prospective schools.

“Since [U Sports] will not have a national championship, everyone from my understanding is considered a red-shirt so they don’t lose a year of eligibility,” Berra said.

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“What that means is a lot of girls are playing at schools such as UBC or U of C in their fifth year, thought this would be their last year, but are instead being given the opportunity to come back next year if they so choose.

“As of right now, from the school part of it, there is a standstill in terms of how many spots are available.”

Should everything go to plan, the team expects their season to start in January.