California native Jared McIntosh joined the Winkler Flyers on the recommendation of a friend already with the team. (Photo cortesy Ray Peters, Winkler Flyers)
Feature
Unity through diversity
Players from non-traditional markets hit ice with Winkler's CanAm Flyers
Last Updated Mon., Feb. 4, 2008
By Chris Iorfida, CBC Sports
The Winkler Flyers are making a bid for Manitoba's Turnbull Cup this season with a diverse team, which is fitting given the community's history.
Winkler, the site for CBC's eighth annual Hockey Day in Canada, was forged in its first decades of existence by a mix of Mennonite, German, Jewish and Anglo Saxon settlers.
The city's Flyers compete in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, the oldest junior A hockey league in Canada, and currently have six American players on their roster. While it's not surprising two come from nearby Minnesota (Nate Breden, Alex North), there are also players from Texas and California.
In addition to geographically, the team is ethnically diverse, with players who are Afro-Canadian, Indo-Canadian and African-American.
Ernie Sutherland, the team's director of player personnel told CBCSports.ca that while the Winkler fans like to see their team populated with mostly local players, they're supportive and understanding of the need to ice the best lineup.
"Especially in the rural areas, where you have half the population of the province to pick from and you got nine teams fighting for players, it's a stretch to find top-end talent, so you do have to go looking elsewhere," Sutherland said.
Sutherland scouted and used personal contacts to find players from non-traditional hockey markets. Through friend Derek Eisler, a one-time San Jose Sharks assistant, he found David Kurbatsky of San Ramon, Calif., while he made a successful appeal for Dayn Belfour, the goaltender son of the most famous Flyer alumnus, NHL great Ed Belfour.
Kurbatsky put in a good word for fellow forward and California native Jared McIntosh, while Texan Nick Lazorko, also a forward, was spotted by Sutherland at a hockey camp in Vancouver.
The passion for hockey at the Winkler Arena and elsewhere in the community has been an eye-opener for the imports.
"They live around the sport," said Kurbatsky. "It's a small town, a lot of people they go to all the games they can: high school games, Triple A games, Junior A games.
"I never played in an area where hockey was so supported and so many people just want to come out and watch you play."
McIntosh, who followed his hockey dream to Alaska before coming to Manitoba, said his billet family and the people of the town have quelled any loneliness.
"At times it's really hard living away from home, but it's been a blast," said McIntosh. "I wouldn't change it for the world."
Getting the players to Winkler required approval from Hockey USA and Hockey Canada, as well as the ultimate authority.
"Most importantly you have to let the parents know you are a reputable club and that you do have the kid's best interests at heart," said Sutherland.
Dayn Belfour is trying to follow in the footsteps of his father, Ed Belfour. (Photo cortesy Ray Peters, Winkler Flyers)
Belfour, Kurbatsky and McIntosh told CBC Sports that the coaches and staff are indeed committed to helping them grow as hockey players and people. While sometimes overshadowed by the Western Hockey League, the MJHL helps late bloomers and others develop their game, with the goal for many being U.S. college hockey.
For Kurbatsky and the others, it's been a strange feeling to be recognized around town in the process, particularly by young kids.
"They come up to you and ask you [if you're on the team]," said Kurbatsky. "It's kind of a good feeling too, just to know that people know who you are and that you have fans out there."
There's another element to the interactions for Belfour, who was born in Saginaw, Mich., but has grown up in Chicago, Dallas, and Toronto.
"You run into old friends of my dad, or people that he played with and it's always neat to hear what they have to say," he said.
Belfour said that his famous father, who has provided equipment and support for the club, listens and provides advice during their weekly transatlantic phone calls. Ed Belfour is currently playing in the Swedish Elite League.
While the American-born players have settled into life in southern Manitoba, some old habits are hard to break for the kids from the warmer climes.
"I get yelled at by my billet mom every day for not wearing my jacket," said McIntosh. "Every day I take three steps outside and then I have to go back in and put on a jacket."
The Flyers are third in their division and fourth overall in the competitive MJHL. The end goal as always is the Turnbull Cup, but the players have been buzzing for weeks about CBC's visit to town on Feb 9.
Kurbatsky will begin the memorable day by writing the ACT, the U.S. college entrance exam.
The Winkler Flyers will then play rival Selkirk Steelers in the late afternoon, part of the backdrop for Hockey Day in Canada (CBC, 12 p.m. ET).
Hockey Day in Canada
- 12:00 p.m. - HDIC from Winkler, Man.
- 3:00 p.m. - Detroit at Toronto
- 6:30 p.m. - Scotiabank Hockey Tonight
- 7:00 p.m. - Montreal at Ottawa
- 7:00 p.m. - Edmonton at Calgary 10:00 p.m. - Colorado at Vancouver
When: Feb. 9, 2008
Host: Winkler, Man.
Theme: CBC's 8th annual Hockey Day in Canada will celebrate "The Journey," exploring how people's lives are shaped and changed by the game of hockey.
Other locations: New Glasgow, N.S., Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu,
Que., Ottawa, Cochrane, Ont., Black Diamond, Alta., Cowichan, B.C.
Broadcast schedule:
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