Hockey Day in Hazelton: Growing the Game One Community at a Time

Nestled in a little nook in northwestern BC, built on the junction of the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers, in the middle of the Roche de Boule Mountain Range, you will find the picturesque Hazeltons. From the moment we pulled into this town, we knew it was going to be a special weekend. We were greeted with open friendliness and a warm welcome wherever we went and everyone we met was proud and happy to share their story about life in the Hazeltons. The community was enthusiastic to welcome us new-comers with open arms. Although we stood out like sore thumb as “non-locals,” the immediate friendliness and energy was felt.

We arrived early so we decided to take the opportunity to explore the historic and scenic area of the Hazeltons. First stop: Old Hazelton. To get there, we had to cross the breath taking Hagwilget Canyon Bridge, a one (1) lane suspension bridge 80 metres (262 feet) above the raging Bulkley River, which boasts incredible views of the river below and the gorgeous Roche de Boule mountain range. Once we crossed over the Canyon Bridge, we pulled over to enjoy the majestic viewpoint of the Skeena River, Hagwilget Peak (or Stegyawden, a Tsimshian name meaning ‘stands alone) and the rest of the Roche de Boule. One word: Amazing!

We rolled into Old Hazelton where we were transported back to the pioneer days when riverboats travelled up and down the Skeena River during the gold rush of the late 1800’s. The village remains much like the original settlement and the old city bell still stands tall outside the Hazelton Municipal Office, but the boarded up shops and hotels were signs of the struggling economic state of the area.

We embarked on the “Hands of History,” a self-guided driving tour that took us through the original township and through the villages of Hagwilget, Gitanmaax, Glen Vowell and Kispiox. The tour was marked with a series of distinctive ‘Hand of History’ signposts displaying a Gitxsan design of peace, an open hand, and a short description of a person, historical event or land-form that played an important part in the history of the Upper Skeena region. It led us through the ‘Ksan Historical Village, a replicated ancient village with large decorated house fronts and totem poles. The sites were incredible, each rooted with rich history.

Setting the scenic backdrop of the Hazelton Arena, also known as Ken Trombley Memorial Arena, is Stegyawden to one side and the Seven Sisters, a spectacular range of peaks, to the southwest. An absolutely stunning view!

The Hazelton Arena hasn’t always been an outdoor rink though; in 2015 the aging building was deemed too dangerous to keep open. With the exception of the dressing room and lobby, the entire arena was torn down. Volunteers stepped in to refurbish the boards, install a new lighting system, restore power and build a shed. The cement footings still remain surrounding the arena.

The community has long recognized the need for a year-round recreation centre, including a new arena. After four (4) years of work with local funders, the province and the federal government, the community joined the BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Todd Stone, to make an important announcement on funding for an Upper Skeena Recreation Centre; the federal and provincial governments announced their financial support for the construction of a new recreation complex. Not only will a new skating rink be included, but also a fitness room, a gym and community rental space. With the recent economic, health and social issues that have been facing the Hazeltons, the Upper Skeena Recreation Centre will bring hope and rejuvenation back to the community.

With over 40 years of history, the arena has seen the passion the community has for hockey, and other sports such as figure skating. Parents who grew up skating at the “old arena” are now watching their children play on the outdoor rink. As much they hated to see the roof go, they could not imagine not having an ice surface for their kids to learn the game and have fun.

That afternoon we met with Hazelton Minor Hockey Association President Ryneld Starr, and Learn to Play participant Josiah Dundas, to present him with his brand new hockey gear from the Canucks. He seemed a little apprehensive at first, but once he had his helmet and skates on, he was ready to hit the ice. But he would have to wait for the event the following day.

“The look on the faces of the young hockey players as they picked up their new equipment was a highlight of this experience for me,” said organizer of the group Heart of the Hazeltons, Peter Newbery. “They were only a little more excited than their parents, who were filled with gratitude.”

Each week, the arena opens the ice to the public for a night time community skate. Skating under the bright lights, in the open air is something you can’t find everywhere; really, how many places are there? So we laced up our skates and hit the ice with the locals. That’s when we met Vernon, a 10 year old boy who had never been on the ice. He sat in the stands with his skates on, but feared going on the ice with his buddies because he didn’t know how to skate. “Well let’s get ‘ya out there bud!” So we did. He struggled the first lap around, tightly holding the old wooden chair as it slid across the ice, but before you knew it, he got it! During a break for a quick ice clean, Vernon asked, “Will you come out there with me again?” “Of course!” After a couple more laps, he then joined his buddies and they all skated together, sharing laughs and having fun. The smile on his face each time he passed was incredible; heart melting really.

And wouldn’t you know it! Josiah was so eager to get on the ice, his mom Erin brought him to the public skate and helped him learn the basics of standing and moving across the slippery surface. His grin was beaming from ear-to- ear when he came off the ice and you knew that he was pumped for the Learn to Play event the next day.

The next morning we were back at the arena to prepare for the arrival of the team and alumni for the launch of the Learn to Play Program, and to watch the Initiation 3/4 tournament with teams from Hazelton, Smithers and Kitimat. With an outdoor rink, weather is a huge contributing factor to whether you skate or not. We could not have asked for better weather; the sun was shining, the temperature was below zero and the ice, close to perfect.

“The weather could not have been better [minus three (3) or so through the day] with sunshine. We had tournament participants here from Smithers and Kitimat and other communities, and it was a great day of minor hockey,” added Newbery.

Canucks alumni Kirk McLean, and Jyrki Lumme arrived at the arena and wasted no time checking out the stunning beauty of the rink and surrounding sights. The Canucks media crew and local television reporters chatted with the former players for a few upcoming specials for Canucks TV and a program called Open Connections that airs on CFTK TV Terrace. The backdrop of the young players and Stegyawden was stunning!

After the final tournament game of the day, the Learn to Play participants hit the ice with local coaches to have fun and learn some fundamental hockey skills. A pre-event ceremony welcomed the Canucks alumni, BC Hockey Chair of the Board Randy Henderson, Canucks Centre for BC Hockey and Alumni Liaison Rod Brathwaite, Hazelton Mayor Alice Maitland, local Gitxsan Chief Frances Sampson and Newbery, and Starr MC’d the event. Sampson welcomed everyone with a traditional Gitxsan welcome, spoke in her native tongue, while others spoke on the amazing opportunity the Hazeltons have been given and how this program and new facility will help grow the game of hockey and provide hope and inspiration for the youth of the Hazeltons.

Then it was time for the fun part – the main event! Over 40 Initiation and Novice aged kids, the majority who were from First Nations communities, and who had never played hockey before, hit the ice to learn from local coaches and the former NHL all-stars. There were several stations positioned around the rink, each with a different game, like Simon Says, or fun activity, like diving, to introduce the new players to hockey. The smiles and laughter of the kids was contagious! Everyone at the arena was wearing a warm smile.

CLICK HERE to view all the pictures. CLICK HERE to view a short video by Canucks TV.

After approximately 45 minutes of on-ice fun, that portion of the day wrapped up with cheers from the players, parents and everyone who was at the arena.

"We showed up to our outdoor rink Saturday, welcomed by blue skies, perfect temperatures and a clean sheet of ice and the day got better from there. It was so encouraging for the future of hockey in Hazelton to see so many kids lined up along the boards ready to play hockey, and so many parents and family members ready to watch,” commented Starr. “Hazelton MHA, the Canucks and BC Hockey have the same : to grow the game. The Learn to Play Program has, without a doubt, grown the game in the Hazeltons. I look forward to building on this success as we get ready to move into our new arena."

“Our humble facility was glowing!” added Newbery.

We headed next door to Hazelton Secondary School for the community Hot Stove Panel with the Canucks alumni where locals were able to interact with the guys, ask questions, get pictures and autographs. Nearly 200 people packed the cafeteria with excitement to meet these Canucks legends. The former players talked about their professional hockey careers, what it was like where they grew up playing hockey and how the game has changed since they first started in the NHL. They wrapped the Q&A portion up with advice for the little guys in the crowd; all three (3) said the same thing, “Have fun. That’s the most important part of the game.”

“A personal highlight for me was watching many lifelong Canucks fans, I've known for years, get a chance to meet their heroes and share a brief but important moment with them,” said Starr. “One (1) lady had her vintage Kirk McLean jersey and an iconic photo of and McLean following the game seven (7) loss in the 1994 Finals. After over 20 years she was able to get them signed by McLean.”

A couple other highlight moments:

A coach who was in town for the tournament, brought his McLean rookie card for the former goalie to sign. “I’ve been waiting over 30 years for this moment,” he said with the happiest look on face. He then turned to his son, handed him the card, and said, “This is yours now.”

One (1) kid asked Kirk, “How many saves have you made?” His answer, “Obviously not enough.”

During the middle of the photo and autograph session, we a little youngster was just tuckered out from earlier activities as she just fell asleep on the floor amidst all the chairs in the cafeteria. She lay there deeply asleep and content, with a BC Hockey sticker on her nose!

One (1) kid even wanted the alumni to sign his forehead! Which his mom quickly shut down.

As the day came to a close and the Canucks had to leave, it was bittersweet; it was such an amazing day, full of unbelievable people and events, that we didn’t want it to be over.

“It was great to cross the old bridge and see the old rink again, said Brathwaite. “The town of Hazelton were great hosts and it’s too bad we couldn’t stay up longer. Our alumni, staff and Fin had a fantastic time during our stay in this beautiful part of the province.”

The positivity didn’t stop with Rod; everyone involved from organizing, to attending and participating, had nothing negative to say about what happened at Hockey Day in Hazelton.

“I am so impressed with the tremendous spirit of the volunteers in the Upper Skeena Valley. These wonderful people truly drive the game for players. I know that hockey is alive, well and sustainable in the Gitxsan Traditional Territory,” said Henderson. “Very proud BC Hockey has such dedicated hockey partners with the Vancouver Canucks and the many MHA’s around the Branch.”

“Ours is a community with some big challenges, but we are a resilient community with some phenomenal people,” added Newbery. “This past weekend, built upon the wonderfully generous gifts, from BC Hockey and the Vancouver Canucks, of hockey equipment for new registrants; It only emphasizes that all we need – all our kids need — is a chance. Through your gift and your presence you have made life better for our children.” Since that Saturday in Hazelton, minor hockey registration has more than doubled over what was expected and figure skating registration grew from six (6) to 30. Also, a men’s group (of about 19) from a nearby community has reserved the rink for practices – something that did not happen last year. “So thanks to everyone who contributed so much time and effort to what promises to be the beginning of a turn- around for the Upper Skeena,” continued Newbery. “With an on-going relationship with BC Hockey and the Canucks, and more work to come on the new recreation center we are looking at a whole new community spirit in short order. You have been key people in the restoration of hope in our community. I look forward to our continuing relationship as we work to make the recreation center a reality and to bring social change to the Upper Skeena.” Hockey Day in Hazelton was a huge high point for so many kids, parents, and families who would most likely not have had this opportunity. As we left Hazelton the following morning, the snow started to fall; the perfect end to an amazing, heartfelt weekend full of smiles, laughs, opportunities and memories that will never be forgotten in this small northwest BC community.