Entering its second year, the Grand Forks Boundary Adult Hockey League (GFBAHL) is already looking at expansion.
The league is currently accepting registration from any local hockey players aged 18 and above.
“We’re hoping this year that we can increase the number of teams from four to five,” said David Evdokimoff, president of the league. “We’re still looking for about 20-25 guys. A lot of those guys played last year and just haven’t signed up yet. We need them to sign up soon—within the next two weeks—so we can make a decision on whether to go with four or five teams.”
Evdokimoff said the league went very well last year and each team was full with players.
“The feedback was extremely positive,” he said. “The previous years there was no league, there was just drop-in from different groups. (Having a league) made it relatively organized.”
Evdokimoff said the league has a draft and that makes each team relatively equal. He expects the league will start up mid-September and go until March. Each team plays about one game a week (usually Sundays) but occasionally other days. All games are at Jack Goddard Memorial Arena in Grand Forks.
“The focus of the league is to be a competitive league with even teams,” he said. “We have some players that are ex-junior players and ex-college players. We also have some players that have never played before or played only a few years. We welcome everyone.”
Evdokimoff said the best way to register is by going to the league’s website at www.gfbahl.com and filling out the form there.
The league is also looking for anyone wanting to referee or scorekeep, both of which are paid positions.
Evdokimoff said the league will wrap up with a year-end playoff tournament. “Last year, we had a best-of-three series. This year there will be something similar.”
Evdomikoff said that playing in the GFBAHL is a great way to meet people.
“It’s a great social time,” he said. “What are you going to be doing in the dead of winter anyways? This way you get some exercise and you get to hang out with some buddies.”