Mustangs hope to ride in NPHL fold

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

A bid from the Hythe Mustangs to enter the North Peace Hockey League will be considered at the North Peace Hockey League’s spring meeting April 24 in Fairview. Officials from the High Prairie Regals and Lakeland Eagles have concerns about the possibility of Hythe’s re-entry in the league, however. “It depends,” says Regals’ president Lee Hunt. “We do need another team if the league stays in three divisions. If we go back to the two-division format, I see a problem.” Under any scheduling format the league decides with a full interlock, travel becomes a bigger problem given time commitment from players and increased travel costs. Hunt stresses the thoughts are his and he hasn’t spoken to the rest of the executive. It’s something he will do in the next few days before the meeting. Eagles’ coach Jim McLean sees the league splitting into two divisions with no interlock if Hythe is accepted. “I can’t speak for the executive but it would cost a lot of money,” says McLean. McLean would like separate divisions with no interlocking play with the division winners meeting in the NPHL final. He adds there was concern from teams this season making long trips with only 9-10 players, which cheats the home team and the fans. Bob Balderston is a player interested in reviving the Mustangs, which last played in the NPHL during the 1988-99 and 1999-2000 seasons. “I’ve talked with most of the general managers except for Peace River,” he says. “I’m optimistic we’ll get in.” In an earlier interview, Balderston said he had a list of about 25 players and several others willing to sit on an executive. Balderston said April 20 they do not have a formal executive in place but if accepted into the NPHL they will meet soon after and formalize their management team. Balderston says the revival of the Mustangs is based simply on players who want to play competitive hockey. He adds the players are mostly from local recreation leagues who want to play better hockey. NPHL president Jack McAvoy says the Mustangs will have to go through the application process like any other team. A list of the team executive and at least 30 players is necessary. Money must be paid up front. Balderston says finances are not an issue. He adds the club will use the traditional Hythe uniforms, similar to the Detroit Red Wings with Mustangs lettering diagonally across the chest. Balderson realizes the NPHL is a competitive league with some very strong teams and skilled players. “We won’t be a powerhouse but I think we’ll be competitive,” he says. “With the list of players we have, some of them have played some pretty good hockey.” Balderston says response to the bid has been accepted with open arms in Hythe. “People say it’d be nice to have the Mustangs back in the community,” says Balderston. “We have a rink that is under-utilized. We’ve had great support from Hythe and support from Beaverlodge as well.” The Dawson Creek Canucks may throw a monkey wrench into the league’s plans. Although there has been some talk about reviving the Canucks, they had not contacted the league as of April 20 to apply for re-entry. League governors have other business at the meeting to end the season. Of note is the probationary period of the Falher Pirates. League teams will vote to accept the Pirates with voting rights as a full-time member of the league. The vote is expected to pass unanimously.

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