MICHAEL BRIONES
michael.briones@pqbnews.com
The Regional District of Nanaimo is contemplating a coed 3-on-3 hockey league this coming September.
It will be open to players 18 years old and over. They must have a reasonable level of ability. It’s not suitable for beginners.
Craig Jenner, who is involved in minor and adult hockey in Parksville Qualicum Beach and in Nanaimo, is helping organize this for the RDN. He said 3-on-3 is becoming popular.
“It’s a very offensive, fast-paced, wide open kind of game,” said Jenner. “It’s a different kind of hockey. It’s intense.
The league is expected to start in September and run until March. The games will be played at Oceanside Place. There will be only one period, with running time for 42 minutes.
“That’s the key to making it more fun. There are no stoppages from the time the puck drops,” said Jenner. “There are no whistles. The only time you stop the game is if there’s a penalty. And instead of sending the players to the penalty box for two minutes, all penalties result in penalty shots.”
There will be four teams in each division. Each team will have nine skaters and a goalie.
“This will make it easier to field a team than having 14 or 15 players,” said Jenner.
The league is expected to be advertised in the RDN fall leisure guide.