Together, the Victoria Royals and VicPD are teaming up with the NHL to bring a street hockey league to Victoria which will allow youths to have a low-cost, accessible way to participate in the sport.
Beginning July 4th, Greater Victoria youths who are signed up for the NHL Street hockey league will be put on teams of seven in five age ranges from ages 6 to 16-years-old.
Each team will get to be a representative of a real NHL team and will get a jersey of their respective teams.
“Hockey isn’t just what the Victoria Royals organization does, it is part of how we build connections that in turn instill life-long skills of teamwork, perseverance and leadership,” said Dan Price, the Victoria Royals General Manager.
“We’re glad to connect our players in our home arena with young players to help mentor both hockey skills and life skills.”
The league will be hosted by the Victoria Royals and the games will take place in the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre’s parking lot every Tuesday evening for four weeks.
This is the first year Victoria has partnered with the NHL for the street league, so the season will be short running for just four weeks. Next year, the season will run a full eight weeks.
The league will cost parents only $50 per youth, but participation will likely be coveted with only so many spots on the teams being available to youth who are interested from across Greater Victoria.
The Victoria Royals and VicPD are covering some of the costs to make the league as accessible for parents as possible.
“As a hockey fan, I am extremely excited at the opportunity for VicPD to partner with the NHL, the Victoria Royals hockey club and our own athletic association,” said Chief Del Manak of VicPD.
“Our local youth will be able to play weekly street hockey games in a fun, non-competitive environment while wearing the logo and colours of their favorite NHL hockey team. I especially look forward to cheering on the team that chooses the New York Islanders.”
Parents can sign their kids up online, but participation is limited.
