Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

Hi again guys,

Which Province has the most months of summer? I'm pretty sure that it's B.C but maybe wrong.

This may seem funny to you guys but I have 2 sons who both play Ice Hockey, they eat, live and breathe ICE HOCKEY. Currenty the play-offs are on (as you know) and I can't peel my sons away from the set. My 8 year old son thinks his a Gretzky in the making and believes he'll be the first English man in the NHL, dedication is everything to him and he's at his local rink 6 x a week.

I'm trailing off course here, but anyways.................we are leaning towards and fancy B.C and as I think it maybe a lot warmer are there many ice rinks there? Ontario seems to be the place for budding players but you guys would be better judges than I.

I know it's probably a real daft question, but just had to ask! Be gentle with your replies and remember I am from the land of Dampness and with about 40 workable Ice rinks in the whole of the UK.

Thanks again :D

Garry

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

Four (Canadian) Teams Made the play-offs. 2 from Alberta, One from Quebec, One from the Quebec\Ontario Border (as near as damn it).
2 Teams made the Conference Semis 1 Alberta the other from the Quebec\Ontario Border.
1 Team made the Conference Finals-From Alberta.
My Point? Given that set of 'statistics' what makes you think Ontario is the place for budding Hockey Players (Its Hockey here not Ice Hockey)?

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

May of come across worse than was meant. I just thought that Ontario was the Province with the most rinks and teams etc. Do you know how many rinks there are B.C compared to Onatrio then? I didn't know if B.C was mainly forest etc and maybe long drives to the nearest rinks. I do know that my sons hero Steve Yzerman came from Cranbrook, B.C but then went to Peterborough Petes and I'm not saying that other Provinces do not produce good teams and players my query is purely rink and team orientated.

Garry

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

Looking at the number of rinks isnt necessarily the best way to assess where to head. Work backwards from which cities have the best Teams (a good team usually inspires youngsters to get involved in a sport). Look at which teams are more sucessful in the lower leagues, which universities offer the best hockey scholarships. Which provinces\cities have the coldest temps (outdoor rinks!!!!!) Is Street Hockey big? (all year round training?)

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

Thanks again for your reply, Butch! We have friends in Thunder Bay, Bellville and Unionville, Ontario and there all asking us to come to Ontario and they are always talikng about the Mapleleafs and Peterborough Petes, I believe infact there are 5 rinks in Bellville which is amazing and obviously a good Junior Structure but I really like the sound of B.C with the better and warmer months and know very little of Ice Hockey there, except for the Vancouver Canuks of course.

Garry

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

What if your sons start eating, living and breathing something like pro-wrestling or Scrabble? Then where will you be? ;)

I know of at least one NHL player who was English... though I suspect he probably grew up in Canada. There have probably been others.

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

Pro-Wrestling? Lethbridge? (The women must be that size for a reason!!)

Scrabble? Now theres a problem. Can Canadians (or those of us wot liv heer) acshuly spel? ;)

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

The Kelowna Rockets!
If you like hot summers then have you thought about Kelowna or the Okanagan area? Lurvely summers, Very little rain and nice dry winters which are very mild for BC. All this plus a beautiful lake and ski resort close by.
Afraid I don't know much about the ice rinks here, I think there are several, but the one I've been to is amazing. It's new and so clean, non of the ceiling mould we used to get in the rink at Bristol!! :) It's funny/freaky to see 4 year olds playing hockey!

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

Who would that be? :confused:

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

Its funny my 5 year old plays and everyone just gets out of his way, not because of his skating ability thats good, but his natural talent for being a 5 year old goon! :D

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

Steve Thomas. He played for a few teams; the Ducks and the Leaves and probably a couple others. I don't think he plays anymore. He had a good hockey face.

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

Did he have a hockey beard? And was it ginger?

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

Depends how you want to define summer.

If days above 15°C then probably BC

If days without rain, then look further east.

Summer in Ontario is too bloody long if you ask me. Id gladly give up a few weeks of Humidex in the high 30s and 40s for a bit more spring or fall. My Hydro bill would look a lot better too.

Ontario and Quebec have more rinks cos there are more people here, most of the population in fact. Simple as that.

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

just out of interest... who's their team in the UK?
as far as teams in Canada, I'm guessing Ontario would be the best. However, it's not always the team you play for, it's the level of skill they have, as I'm sure you know.

I would consider more about where YOU want to live. No offense to you boys but uk hockey standard is lower than kids rate of play over here. (not 100% of the time as there are exceptions I'm sure)

Get them into a team where you decide to settle, and maybe if they feel independent enough and is what they really want then perhaps then you could consider them leaving home and billeting elsewhere.

My other half was born up north in Thompson Manitoba, he headed south to portage and Winnipeg area at the tender age of 14 and lived with surrogate mother. (and he came out just fine lol )

Re: Dilemma...........Maybe!
 

Just out of interest, what are your reasons for moving to Canada Andrea and Joe? Have you visited before? It seems so far you just want to live somewhere without bears, with long summers and good hockey training?! ;)