After four-and-a-half months of practicing, the West Kelowna Warriors are set for 20-game sprint

Photo: Wayne Moore/file

It's been a frustrating time to say the least for the West Kelowna Warriors and the rest of the BC Hockey League.

Since a series of exhibition games and tournament were halted in the fall, players have for the most part, spent the last four-and-a-half months practicing with their clubs in the hope a season could somehow be salvaged.

The provincial health office, seemingly at the 11th hour, approved the league's return-to-play plan three weeks ago.

The abbreviated 20-game, five-week schedule, with teams playing only within their assigned hubs, began Friday.

The Warriors, slotted into the Vernon hub with the Vipers and Salmon Arm, kick off their season against the Silverbacks Saturday night.

The schedule will include 10 games against both the Vipers and Silverbacks, not ideal, but better than going home with little to show for several months of practice.

The league could have folded its tent and shut down for the season, but elected to forge ahead, despite not having fans in the seats.

"We're just glad our guys will get a chance to prove themselves, especially our 20 years who will get one last chance to make an impression to try and get a scholarship," said Warriors head coach Simon Ferguson.

It's also about getting a look at younger players in game situations with an eye toward what everyone hopes is a more normal 2021-2022 season.

"It's not just about scholarships, but continued development of all our players, and a chance to evaluate who can step into bigger roles maybe next year as well.

"We're not just coming out and saying this is only exhibition and we'll roll four lines. We still want to come out and do our best."

The Warriors will ice a different, and younger team that people saw during the Okanagan Cup back in the fall.

Players recruited from the U.S. are not back, and neither are top recruits Wyllum Deveaux, Matthew Stienburg or John Evans.

They've been replaced by some local players and others with Junior A or Western Hockey League experience.

In nine games against the Vipers and Silverbacks during the fall Okanagan Cup tournament, the Warriors had a combined 7-2 record.