Leafs host Hawks, Rockets; KI monitors Cannabis legalization
By The Nelson Daily Sports
It’s hockey time in Nelson as the Leafs play host to Murdoch rival Nitehawks of Beaver Valley as the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League resumes play on nine fronts Friday.
Nelson, sporting an impressive 11-1-0-1 record for top spot in the Murdoch Division, has had the Nitehawks number this season, winning both games in the season series.
Nelson opened with a 3-2 victory during Week two of the season at the NDCC Arena. The Leafs made it two straight against the Hawks earlier this month in Fruitvale, scoring a 3-0 victory thanks to a shutout performance by netminder Caiden Kreitz.
Beaver Valley trails the Leafs in the standings by six points. Nelson has won its past five games.
Saturday, at the NDCC Arena, Nelson concludes its two-game weekend homestand when Golden Rockets travel to the Heritage City. Golden is fourth in the Eddie Mountain Division with a 6-5-0-0-1 record.
Business as usual for KIJHL teams following legalization of Cannabis
While KIJHL is aware of the fact that cannabis became legal in Canada Wednesday, the league isn’t expecting any major changes on how teams, players or executives conduct themselves going forward.
When asked what the league’s position was on cannabis, KIJHL president Larry Martel directed The Nelson Daily to BC Hockey’s Policy regarding alcohol, drugs tobacco and illegal activity.
“Hockey is a healthy sport where we have a responsibility to the players, participants and the community to demonstrate and encourage healthy choices,” section 4.06 of the BC Hockey Policy said. “BC Hockey is opposed to the use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs and banned / restricted substances for the purpose of performance enhancement during BC Hockey sanctioned events as outlined in this section.”
Martel said although cannabis is now legal in Canada for anyone 19 years and over, it is not permitted for use by any player or team member according to the Bylaws of BC Hockey or KIJHL.
“There are also many teams, if not all, that have hadrules in place should a player or team official be found to have used or be using non-medicinal drugs,” he said.
Martel said he has not heard anything from USA College Hockey at this time. However, the KIJHL president foresees in the not too distant future the possibility of drug testing for Canadian players wanting to continue playing hockey south of the border.
“If a Canadian player has a goal to move on in hockey and take the College route in the USA, the use of any kind of non-medicinal drug should not be used at all or he will be jeopardizing any opportunities that could be offered to them,” he said.
The Nelson Daily reached out to the Leafs hockey club for comment on this issue. A team official replied that the club will be looking for guidance from the Leafs’ board, the KIJHL and other teams before being in a better position to respond.
In the National Hockey League, cannabis is a substance that the league tests its player for but does not discipline them for using. And while cannabis is legal in several states south of the border, it remains illegal under federal law to carry cannabis into the United States.
American border agents can also refuse entry to a person who admits they have consumed cannabis, even for medicinal use.
