The new Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) president Bill Chow was in Yorkton last weekend to take in the SJHL Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies. Chow, who took over the reins of the SJHL with the retirement of former president Laury Ryan, has been a scout with the WHL for the past 25 years or so. Chow is a retired policeman who retired after 30 years with the Prince Albert City Police.
"I finished my career there as staff sergeant and administrative NCO," he reports. In addition to police work and scouting for the WHL, Chow and his wife have operated a couple of businesses in Prince Albert as well. "So, I have a bit of a business background, bit of a hockey background and a bit of a disciplinary background as well," he sums up.
In his first year, Chow sees some of the challenges facing him include the current concern over player injury, including the blows to the head, the concussions, and possible long term injuries. The SJHL has tried to deal with some of the concern through the introduction of base line testing through Impact Canada. Athletes should have a base line should they get injured. Then they have to do their testing to make sure they are ready to go back to play. "Is it going to prevent anything, no, but at least if somebody does get injured we're going to be able to make sure that before they go back top play they're going to be healthy," Chow explains.
Other challenges include creating a bigger fan base than what we have throughout 12 communities in the province. "On the ice the league is as competitive as I've seen it," he asserts. After watching hockey as a scout, Chow insists the calibre of hockey is as good as it's ever been. The competitive levels and league parity are second to none, he suggests. "Right now we're almost half way through the season and everybody's within striking distance of being in a playoff position. That's as good as you kind of want to have it," he continues.
Chow states that he has no direction he personally would like to see. The league is about 12 franchises and the 12 communities that they're in. "Collectively we have to decide and determine the direction that we want to take our league," he says. Some thoughts and ideas have been discussed at annual and semi-annual meetings. Many of the ideas raised are just ideas right now on what the organization may or may not want to do, he adds.
One of those ideas discussed is, "Do we want to get younger. We're nine 20 year-olds and some other leagues are six, seven and eight 20 year-olds," Chow reports.Some leagues have gone down that path but Chow isn't sure that's the best option. "Now you're putting coaches into a position where they have to have somebody at that age who may or may not be able to play at that level," he states. If it could be guaranteed that everybody could get the top players at that age, it might work, but that can't be guaranteed, Chow points out.
Player safety and equipment is also an ongoing challenge, he proposes. The recent action by the NHL and WHL have regarding equipment have to be considered, Chow suggests. He'd like to think the manufacturers will soften up the rest of the equipment too.
While he admits he's uncertain of how to instill the idea that players need to eschew the reckless abandon of the way they play their game, Chow suggests it might be beneficial. Players appear to feel that they're invincible because of the equipment they wear and that they're not going to get hurt, he says.
Discussing the induction, Chow says many people are unaware of the accomplishments of Jerry James. "I don't think there's anybody else that's played in the CFL and the NHL at the same time, he suggests.
Darrell Spelay's scoring prowess of almost two points a game in 243 games sets a record that may never be broken, Chow predicts. He suggests that may be the case because any player that good would likely be moving up to the next higher league.
He's impressed with the hours of volunteering put into the community and the Terrier organization by Gene Krepakevich over the years. He's worked hard as a supporter of the Yorkton Terriers. That's what the franchises are about. There are many others who have done the similar things but this weekend Krepake-vich earned the recognition.
Terry Struthers called games for seven different teams in two or three different league in some years. All the hours and miles he's put on are unbelievable.
It's four great nominees for the SJHL Hall of Fame and it's a great night for everybody, Chow closes.
