Another hockey option in Sault Ste. Marie

Quite simply, it’s just another option for young hockey players.

A pair of new hockey teams will take to the ice locally this fall with hopes of improving the development of young hockey players across the city, regardless of league affiliation.

The teams, which includes players born in 2003 and 2004, will be rep teams and play in the Ontario Rep Hockey League, which is based in Burlington, Ont.

The teams will travel to events once per month with the intention of putting more emphasis on player training.

“Some of the kids that aren’t developed so early, we want to make sure that they don’t quit the game and give them those tools to become better players,” said former NHL player Ken Belanger, who is part of the staff that will be involved with the two new teams.. “There are so many kids that quit hockey because of the politics side of it and get discouraged and never develop.”

The teams, called the KBX Selects and affiliated with KBX Hockey School, will also be able to train at the KBX training facility, allowing players to train both on and off the ice.

The program is essentially designed to develop hockey players and provide a new competitive option for players locally.

“We’re not producing players like we used to (in Sault Ste. Marie),” Belanger said. “We have to try something new.”

Belanger likened the idea of an added hockey program to the addition of the new Lowe’s store in Sault Ste. Marie.

“What (the addition of Lowe’s) does is making everybody else be more accountable to their prices and customer services. There are benefits.”

“When people get into a really comfortable state, they don’t want to be challenged,” Belanger also said. “They don’t want competitors because that’s going to make them change.”

Belanger said he understands the so-called stigma attached to what some have termed “outlaw teams.”

“People get intimidated because they’re independent and (if they play in it) there will be repercussions,” Belanger said. “At the end of the day, we’re creating for the consumer, which is going to be keeping everybody more accountable in what products and services that they offer.”

“It sends a strong message to people in Sault Ste. Marie who are looking for secondary options,” Belanger said. “We’re just another option for people.”

Belanger noted that a second hockey program will not only pressure the old way to improve. At the end of the day, improving the old way will force the new product to keep up as well.

“This is not about trying to crush anybody or taking players away,” Belanger said. “This is about creating more hockey players, which is what this city needs.”

For further information on options for new age groups for the 2016 season, contact [email protected].