A sport many view as a way to stay in shape and as a recreational activity for everyone, has taken off in Saskatchewan.
The first season of the Battlefords Ball Hockey League was played earlier this summer, and it was a great way to introduce players to the game. Two locals took their introduction to ball hockey to the next level, as they played with Team Saskatchewan at the under 15 tournament in Saskatoon.
What was played in the Agriplex through the summer was just a small taste of how ball hockey was played by Brayden Kotyk and Logan Nachtegaele.
They describe it as competitive and rough. Brayden and Logan were both assistant captains with the team and played on the second line of a team where they were meeting most of their teammates for the first time.
The local duo never tried out for the team, but with the help of Dean Crossland, Sask. Ball Hockey president, they were recommended to the team and never looked back.
Team Saskatchewan 2 played five games at nationals, which were held July 28 to 31.
Brayden, Logan and their teammates started the tournament off against Toronto and after getting over the initial shock of playing a team from Toronto in ball hockey, they settled in. Brayden scored a goal in the team's first game, as Logan earned an assist, but Toronto won 3-2.
Next, was a preliminary round robin game against the Belleville Bulls. The Bulls won 5-1, but Logan was named the Saskatchewan player of the game. Wrapping up the first round, Team Sask fell 3-0 to Edmonton.
In the pool B semi finals, Team Sask played the Beeton Extreme and lost 9-2.
The loss put Team Sask in the pool B bronze medal game where they faced Team Sask 1 and both teams were searching for their first wins. It would be the first time a Saskatchewan team would receive a medal at the national under 15 championship whatever the result.
In the bronze medal game, Team Sask 2 won 5-4 and Brayden and Logan helped make Saskatchewan ball hockey history.
Both players agreed the best part of the experience was the competition.
So here is to the sport of ball hockey rolling with the momentum and becoming a sport Saskatchewan can medal in annually.
