Decisions – What’s Up?

I continue to get asked mostly each day, what the status is regarding the Delta Ice Hawks – well from some of my sources, I hear they are not moving or at least in the next while.

Below are some of the many stories/articles from various individuals regarding the “possible” move of the Delta Ice Hawks that I have received the past while.

In staying “on-side” with the process you play Referee and make the call without having to go to Toronto for a review and hopefully someone can make sense out of this?

What pondered such a thought from the Parks and Rec Commission?

One has to ask if we will ever know or is it just a power struggle between individuals who are unable to get along in a civilized manner?

I have spoken to Ice Hawks owner Wes Mussio and to be blunt “he is shocked as he has stated he wants to be a more active owner in the community, which to date he has.

Possibly coming in and requesting (depending on whom you ask) rather than taking baby steps seemed over bearing for this commission?

One idea he requested was obtaining a licence for a “beer garden” which was policed by security and apparently – for some doesn’t sit well!

Regardless one thing that concerns many in today’s world is the simply “lack of communication” all considering that Wes learned about this from the Optimist. Why??

When the game are played and televised on Delta TV each Tuesday the Municipality of Delta is a clear winner given all the free exposure given to them.

We promote upcoming events around the area, promote school functions and/or events without being asked or scripted.

Delta TV is heavily involved in the community and this is another way the Municipality of Delta get’s put on the map.

One has to ask where Delta Ice Hawks Alumni players (Chicago Black Hawks) Brent Seabrook, Milan Lucic (LA Kings) or St. Louis Blues Troy Brouwer would be at if not for junior hockey in Delta?

So here’s what we are hearing from Delta Councillor and Parks and Rec Commission Chair Robert Campbell.

“If we follow our policy fee and charges bylaw its youth comes first. Unfortunately, junior ‘B’ hockey is near the bottom of the barrel.”

Campbell added the three-year ice allocation is only in the recommendation stage and the entire process could take a while before a final report is drafted and presented to council.

Todd Stewardson who is Delta’s Deputy Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture explained “When it comes to ice allocation, there is always lot of integral moving parts. We still need all the staff reports. There is no definite conclusion to this.”

True it might take a while, but it better happen sooner than later as the PJHL has to set up the 2016-17 schedule.

Carolyn Scott writes “There are Delta youth playing on this team who are 16, 17 and 18. Last time I checked that was our youth. Some have played hockey on Delta rinks since they were 5 years old.”

Dave Hudson states “Very sorry to hear this attitude on the part of parks and recreation.

Ice time I understood was reducing as kids enrolment in minor hockey are down in both North and South Delta ???”

One of the better ones and not to say that they were not well received, but this one hits home.

Jerris writes:

Wow. So much to say about this.

I was 10 when the Ice Hawks came to town and for the first time as a minor hockey player I got to witness first hand what it was like to be a Jr. Hockey player.

Seeing these guys (Delta Ice Hawks players) around the community and the rink.

I was lucky enough to be their water boy when i was 11-13.

I then got the chance to play for them as a 15 year old in 2001 under then Coach Shane Kuss following the footsteps of Brent Seabrook with Troy Brouwer, both of whom ended up with a career in the NHL.

You cannot understate the value of having a team like this in a community this small.

If current Delta Ice Hawks owner (Wes Mussio) wants to make the team into a group of young professionals that make a huge difference in a community such as Delta.

Then, clearly it would be an absolute shame to lose them over a simple scheduling conflict?

Because of the Delta Ice Hawks I got a chance at living my childhood dream and there has been countless others in this community that have gotten that chance as well over the past 20 plus years because they play here, in South Delta.

There’s enough ice for all of us.