This is my fourth season playing hockey with the Hornets, were part of HNA, Hockey North America.  In the past we have had a difficult time finding new players, as the captain of the team recruiting is my responsibility among other things.  I’ve gone to different ‘drop-in’ games at various arenas to get a little ice time and scout for new players willing to join our organization.  I have posted ads in print and on the Internet looking for new players.

Typically I ran into the same handful of scenarios over and over again.  One, because the league really tries very hard to keep teams in divisions with the same skill level so the seasons can be fair and competitive – I often find that players that are more then willing to play hockey on an organized level tend to be a little more skilled at the sport then would be a good fit for our team.  Most of the players that have been with the team for a couple of years are truly beginner players.  While some players are really good – it’s how the team plays together, that the league uses to judge what division the team should play in.  Two, it’ difficult to talk someone in investing money, especially when you consider how expensive it can be, into a sport they may not enjoy.  According to one of the administrators from the league office; “There tend to be two types of players.  The corporate executive that has their secretary call in and arrange everything and the guy who can’t make end meet but always scrounges enough together to pay the fee’s for the season.”  Plus there is always the cost of the equipment for players looking to even get into the sport.  Shin pads, skates, sticks, helmets, shoulder pads, hockey pants, hockey socks, ice time, it all adds up.

Prior to the start of this season, I found a guy who was interested.  He was fairly active in other sports and played roller hockey in the past (one of the Hornets better players came from the roller hockey world.)  The issue for him was one of health insurance.  While this is a recreational league and it’s a no check league – anything can happen.  You can’t play hockey without a little bumping here and there.  There are sticks swinging and some of the players can get a little zip on that hard plastic puck.  So the possibility of injury is always there.

Through heavy recruiting we have managed to get ourselves a full roster this season.  The new players to this team and league are good fit for the Hornets – but we’ve still started the season 0-3.  Our last loss was just last night to the Road Runners.

It’s still early in the season so I hope we can make the adjustment to begin winning some games.