The Lac la Hache Tomahawks have just become one of two new teams to be accepted to the senior "AA" Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL).
Following a five-hour meeting in Smithers on May 28, league representatives voted to accept the Tomahawks and the Quesnel Kangaroos into the league. They also accepted the withdrawal of the Burns Lake Braves.
At the meeting, it was also decided to split the 10-team league into three divisions, which would group the Tomahawks with Quesnel Kangaroos, Williams Lake Stampeders and Omineca Ice in the South Division.
The three-team West Division will now comprise the Prince Rupert Rampage, the Terrace River Kings and the Kitimat Ice Demons. The East Division will include the Smithers Steelheads, Houston Luckies and Hazelton Wolverines.
Tomahawks secretary/treasurer Eva Navrot says the small, localized division is a positive move that will greatly cut down on travel time and expenses for the teams.
"This is a huge bonus."
The old configuration would have had the Tomahawks travelling as far away as Smithers to play league games, she explains.
During the season, the team will play 18 games, with 13 games within its own division and the remainder will be crossover games against teams from other divisions.
Navrot says she feels the team was well received by the league.
"We were well prepared and they supported us. It was a really intense meeting, and right now, we're really excited."
She adds the biggest challenge for the team will be to find corporate sponsorship and to raise enough money for start-up. That includes a $2,000 performance bond that must be paid to the league.
The Lac la Hache Tomahawks Hockey Society has already held several fundraisers in anticipation of its acceptance to the league.
Noting she expects team tryouts to begin in mid-September, Navrot says they have interest from 60 prospective hockey players.
She adds the team will be primarily, but not exclusively, First Nations and that there are 16 local bands in the area to draw from.
"One of the team goals is to be role models for aboriginal youths. The bands are really excited and I think we will get a lot of support from them."
Willie Sellars will serve as the Tomahawks Society president and Al Navrot, previous Williams Lake Stampeders' coach, will take on the position of head coach. Wally Arcand joins the team as assistant coach and Sean Sullivan is the trainer.
"This team will provide some competitive hockey for this area. It's really important that the athletes have a place to play some really good hockey," Navrot concludes.
Tomahawks home games will be played at rolf Zeis Memorial Arena in Lac la Hache.