‘People have been incredibly engaged and supportive,’ president says of senior team’s inaugural season in Ontario Elite Hockey League and current playoff run
Long before the Elmvale Harvesters took to the ice for their first game in the Ontario Elite Hockey League (OEHL) this season, the club’s president was setting realistic expectations.
Scott Thomson understood that their first season would come with its share of challenges, so he approached it with a sensible mindset, something that helped him brace for any less-than-ideal outcomes.
“We weren’t expected to win and we weren’t expected to make the playoffs,” Thomson told Barrie Today during an interview at the Elmvale Arena an hour before the team’s first home playoff match against the Georgian Bay Applekings last Saturday night.
“We were expected to be competitive, but then Jared Robertson, our general manager, put together a team that has really come together as a unit and here we are,” he added.
The Harvesters wrapped up the regular season in third place in the North Conference, behind the Ripley Wolves and second-place finishers the Minto 81s.
The local team finished ahead of six established squads and netted the third-most goals in their conference.
They also managed to sell out most of their home games while delivering an unforgettable season opener.
“Our first home game was on the same night as Game 7 of the World Series,” Thomson pointed out. “We sold out – everyone showed up.”
Thomson felt confident about how well they’d do – the launch of the Harvesters created quite a buzz in town. The team quickly sold out its sponsorship opportunities, and Harvesters merchandise flew off store shelves.
“People have been incredibly engaged and supportive,” he said. “We thought it might take just two or three games before interest started to wane, but that never happened.”
This season, it wasn’t uncommon to see around 600 fans at Harvesters games.
“Since this was new for everyone in town and many didn’t know much about this level of hockey, there were doubts about whether it would draw a crowd,” Thomson said. “But everyone from kids to seniors is rallying behind it.”
“It really does give the community something to cheer for.”
The Harvesters play an exciting style of hockey that’s fast-paced, skilled, and fun to watch; most players have experience from elite-level junior or college hockey.
According to Thomson, these guys are serious about playing, which has captured local fans’ hearts.
“Some senior double-A teams don’t care much about practicing,” he said. “These guys show up for practice. They’re present for warm-ups before games. They participate in community events. They’re committed.”
The players are only hockey heroes for a few hours each week since they all have full-time jobs outside of sports.
They work alongside their fans – in fields like construction, sales, marketing, policing – sometimes right next door.
This might explain why they’ve developed such devoted supporters.
“I think folks here have caught Harvester fever because there are lots of local players on this team,” Elmvale’s Tyler Tkachyk shared with Barrie Today while enjoying a drink in the upstairs lounge overlooking ice action during the first period.
<p“There are players from Elmvale, Barrie, Midhurst. All local guys who feel close-knit.”
Tkachyk’s friend at the game, Sean Hollett from Elmvale too believes success was inevitable for them.
“Hockey is part of Canadian culture; much of that spirit comes from small communities like this where we grew up playing together,” he remarked with his drink in hand. “We play hard against each other then shake hands afterward before heading back to school.”
This mentality – play hard yet fair – shines through at every game; it’s one reason many fans keep returning with their kids along too.
“One thing people love about this type of hockey is it’s not just goon-style,” Hollett stated. “There’s mutual respect among players-the guy who knocks you down will often be quick to help you back up.”
“Everybody knows they need to go back to work tomorrow.”
The Elmvale Harvesters will compete in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series this afternoon (Feb. 14) at 4:30 p. m.
Source link
