Marco Di Meo
SPORTS REPORTER

Though Ontario may be hockey-obsessed, Humber students aren’t having much luck recreating the now defunct college provincial hockey circuit.

More than 80 students took to the ice to compete for a spot on the men’s hockey team in October, but the extra-mural team can only play tournaments outside the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association.

“We had more players than we expected at tryouts which made our job as coaches a little difficult,” said first-year coach Mark Wright. “Cutting down our roster took a lot of thought but the group of guys we have are very competitive.”

Wright said this team could be a finalist in each tournament and it’s disappointing Humber has to wait for other colleges to get back into the OCAA.

“We already earned a birth in the final tournament of the year,” he said. “If we can continue to build on what we have accomplished, there is no reason we shouldn’t make the semi-finals or finals of every tournament.”

In light of high tryout numbers, Humber has enough interest from students to put a varsity team on the ice. However, Doug Fox, director of athletics, said the entire OCAA hockey league disbanded years ago.

“After we won the championships in 2004 two teams folded and said they couldn’t afford it anymore so that ended the league,” he said. “It’s a very expensive sport.”

Fox said two years ago, four other schools were willing to reform the league with Humber as fifth – the minimum number of teams needed to have a league.

“I wasn’t willing to join a league when five are committed,” he said. “It takes just one dropping out and you’re cancelling hockey again.”

Fox said he would like at least six or seven teams to commit before Humber joins.

Michael Chemello, 19, is a second-year fitness and health promotion student and a forward on the tournament team.

“Going varsity would be a great experience but for now we have to focus on our tournament team and try to win as many as we can.”