So the NHL owners have locked out the players, and the threat of no professional hockey this season is a real possibility.
As a self-described sports nut and hockey fanatic, you might think these recent developments would have me tearing my hair out. Well, quite frankly, I could care less.
There are more than enough other things going on to get me my sports fix.
October is here, which means a month-long chase for the World Series title for Major League baseball. Go, Yankees!
NFL football is in high gear and in case you haven't been paying attention, our B.C. Lions are having a great CFL season and are poised to make a run for the Grey Cup.
Sorry, I got off track there for a minute. This is supposed to be a column about hockey, right?
Well here are a few tips so you too can get your hockey fix.
In the past few weeks, we've told you about several Sunshine Coast hockey stars who are getting set to light it up in the minor leagues.
Brad Wingfield, who was here in August for a week helping instruct at the inaugural Sunshine Coast Hockey School, is getting set to lace up his skates with Danbury of the United Hockey League.
Danbury is also affiliated with Bridgeport of the American Hockey League, so who knows - maybe Wingfield might lock horns with fellow Coaster Kyle Bruce.
Bruce is, of course, in Winnipeg this week starting training camp with the Manitoba Moose, the AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks.
With the NHL likely gone this year, the AHL is going to be thrown into the spotlight. There is talk that even AHL games might be broadcast on a major sports network in Canada. What a thrill that would be to see Brad and Kyle on television!
In the next few weeks, we'll also be introducing you to a number of other hockey players who are playing Junior B in this province and a couple of guys playing with Notre Dame in Saskatchewan.
A little closer to home, the Sunshine Coast Arena is a great place to huddle up with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate on a cold weekday night or weekend afternoon.
The men's A and B divisions are in full swing, and every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday there are loads of men's games to choose from. The women's league is also up and running again. They have games on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
And of course you can't forget about the young stars.
Tryouts for all the rep teams in the Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey Association are wrapping up, and by Thanksgiving, another season of minor hockey will be upon us.
Be sure to head down to the local rink and cheer on these youngsters. It's great entertainment, and none of it will put a dent in your wallet.
A quick trip on the ferry over to Vancouver gets you a couple of other hockey choices.
The Vancouver Giants are going to be a hot ticket all season long. I love the Western Hockey League. I grew up on it living in Saskatchewan. There is just something magical about heading to the old rink on Renfrew and seeing the Giants in action.
There is also the British Columbia Hockey League with teams in Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley, Chilliwack and all over Vancouver Island.
So don't despair, hockey fans - there are lots of choices at your disposal. Let the over-paid millionaire hockey players stay out for as long as they like - it's not a problem for me.
