Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “.
Thursdays have a vastly different feel to them in these days of COVID-19.
Frequently on Thursdays over the last half decade, I’ve found myself in Meaford, home of the Knights of the Greater Metro Junior Hockey League.
I miss those Thursdays; I miss the quick drive on Highway 26, I miss the buzz in the lobby at the Meaford & St Vincent Community Centre as the Knights staff prepare for the game ahead, and I miss watching the level of hockey the Greater Metro Junior League presents.
Recently, my heart skipped a beat when I glanced at the GMHL web site and saw the Knights Season Opener was scheduled for Thursday November 19th when they were scheduled to host the South Muskoka Shield.
A quick call to the Knights quashed my level of excitement.
The Knights relate the posting on the web page is simply a procedure of league operations in the event health officials okay a return to play. The Knights say if I checked the web page earlier, I would have seen the scheduled season opener was set for November 3rd.
So, while there’s no indication of a formal start to the season, the Knights are taking progressive steps.
First, there will be a series of team skates for Canadian based players only beginning November 3rd.
And, as part of the preparation process, the club is looking for billet families for 5 members of the Knights who will be at the team skates & hopefully staying with the Knights if ( or when ) the GMHL season commences.
Anyone who can assist with the Knights of Meaford billet program can contact Kathy Adams at 226-668-6359.
I’m Fred Wallace