BC HOCKEY AWARDS: FRANK SPRING MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR AWARD - TRI-CITIES FEMALE ICE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

By MARIO ANNICCHIARICO

It’s been an incredible run of success for Tri-Cities Female Ice Hockey Association, named by BC Hockey as the winner of the Frank Spring Award Minor Hockey Association of the Year.

Nothing could make him more proud, says president Peter Aragon, who has witnessed the growth of his association from 374 players to 439 after the 2024-25 season – a 17.4 per cent growth. It was the biggest leap since coming out of the COVID-19 battle in 2021.

In fact, in the past five years the association has seen a growth from 258 players to 439 – an increased rate of 70 per cent.

“We’re excited. It looks like we’re only the fifth female association to win that award so that’s pretty cool. We’re very proud, it’s a great recognition,” said Aragon.

“It feels like it’s a validation that we’re on the right path. We made a lot of changes, we wanted to re-look at what programs we were offering and what more we could be doing for these girls.”

The association - two-thirds of its Board is new - offered more Try Hockey events than they have in the past and offered the U9 and U11 subsidized power skating lessons, which was also well received.

“The fact that the girls didn’t have to go third-party to get some power skating training seemed to be a positive for our members,” added Aragon, again noting validation for what the group is achieving. “We’re hoping to take a lot of what we learned this year to make next year even better.”

Goaltending clinics were also held - free bi-weekly development, which helped increase their goaltending numbers from 16 full-time netminders to 24 and 12 part-time goalies to 34. The association hopes to make the free development a weekly event next season.

Aragon expects the association’s participation numbers to increase even further next season.

“I don’t know if we’re doing anything more than just providing a positive experience for our girls, where they are going out and telling their friends how much they’re enjoying playing hockey. Not to pat ourselves on the back, but we run our association very efficiently,” he offered.

“I think we have one of the lowest minor hockey registration fees out of any minor hockey association in the lower mainland and we didn’t even raise them for next year. We will continue to be the lowest when it comes to registration fees, which helps a ton.

“It makes it a very low barrier entry and the Try Hockey events are a big success, people are always asking when those are happening. I think all that stuff works in our favour – it helps get word out there. We get brand new girls at U18, which is crazy to me. For girls to try a new sport at 16 and 17-years-old; I’m impressed with that,” Aragon added.

He even expects the interest in girl’s hockey to grow now that the Professional Women’s Hockey League is coming to the Vancouver area.

“As long as we can keep things affordable – especially at the younger age groups. We can get them early, make it cost effective and provide them with as much ice time as possible,” he said.

It all falls under the umbrella of an unwavering commitment demonstrated by the Board of Directors to foster a thriving, inclusive and supportive environment for their athletes.

Mario Annicchiarico is a freelance writer based in Victoria who has previously covered the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers, as well as the Western Hockey League.

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