CORNER BROOK, N.L. — FRANK GALE
THE WESTERN STAR
CORNER BROOK
The West Coast Senior Hockey League executive had been excited about the possibility of its championship team competing for the Herder Memorial Trophy this season.
However, those dreams were dashed during a meeting with Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador held Nov. 14.
Dave Bruce, the public relations director for the league, said the West Coast Senior Hockey League executive met with a couple of representatives from Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador’s senior council the day of the meeting
He said Gary Gale, senior chair with Hockey NL, told the executive of the west coast league if they wanted the chance to compete for the Herder Trophy, they’d have to agree to play interlocking games against the two central teams in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor.
Bruce said based on the fact the west coast league is made up of local players who are not paid, they were opposed to playing against teams made up of paid players brought in from all over the province.
“Our west coast league thinks it should be at a level playing field,” he said.
Bruce said it would really have been nice to play for the Herder, given the fact it’s the ultimate prize in senior hockey in the province and it has such a rich history.
In fact, as of deadline, no teams were going to be playing for the Herder this season as senior teams on the east coast have also rejected the idea of playing interlocking games against the central teams.
