The Boissevain Border Kings are ready for another season in the Tiger Hills Hockey League, and with a strong roster, combined with great community support, they are primed for a special season.
Lots on the go
As the season quickly approaches, there's a lot going on to be ready, and Jay Pringle details what's going on behind the scenes. "Obviously, it's an exciting time," Pringle says as he makes the transition from baseball to hockey. "It's starting to cool down this week, so it's time to get things figured out. We have a week or so to kind of figure out when it comes to guys coming back, and what not. So, it's exciting."
Building off last season
A year ago, the Border Kings went 10-5-0-1, and Pringle believes the group can build off that strong campaign. "The last couple of years, we've had a tough series in Hartney, they've beat us the last couple years, but you learn things, you learn things the hard way when you lose. Most of the guys will be back, and we feel the need to want to win that second playoff series to go a little further, then we can go from there."
All for one, one for all
Being a group that is really bought in, hard working, and pulling for one another, is a characteristic that Pringle believes will also carry over into 2025-26. "I sure hope so," he says with a smile. "A lot of teams have that high end guy, or a couple, that really get them over the top, where we have a lot of really good players, but we don't have one guy that leads us every night. We're a community of guys here, so we need everyone to step up at different times. We're lucky we get that a lot. Everyone needs to pitch in, or we end up not doing very well. It's a group effort every night to have those games you win."
Re-connecting around the league
The Tiger Hills Hockey League overall is starting to come alive, and Pringle enjoys reconnecting with players, gearing up for the new season. "It's always exciting when you get to this time of year to see where you're at. At the end of last year, we ask guys what they thought of it, and where we think they'll be. We sent out the text asking what their plans were, with a few guys on the fence of coming back, and a few new faces as well, it's exciting. We don't get our ice in Boissevain as quickly as some other places do, so we'll be going elsewhere for the first couple of weeks to get on the ice, but it's great to be back in the room with the guys."
Representing Boissevain
Playing for the community team is special, and Pringle appreciates the support from the people who really care about the team. "It's really special. We lost the team for a year, and when we lost the team, it really hit the community to not have a team out there playing. When we got it back going a year later, we for sure don't take it for granted, because when you lose it, you feel that burden of it. We're lucky to have the support we have in the community that allows us to do this, to make it all work financially over the year."
Goalie prep
As a goalie, Pringle says he's starting to get ready, and as the years go on, it takes a little longer to ramp up. "Age is a great equalizer," he says with a laugh. "I'm just trying to go and do what I can, thankfully, the guys help me out."