Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

INUVIK - Students at Samuel Hearne high school are back in the gym at lunch hour for floor hockey.

The floor hockey league started their season in late September and teams are preparing for playoffs later this month. Teacher Gene Jenks is one of the six staff members who volunteers his time during the lunch hour to referee the games.

Aaron Storr, front right, leads a pack of players as they chase the ball down the gym floor at Samuel Hearne high school. The floor hockey league is back in session during lunch hours. The school is planning their playoffs later this month before Christmas break. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Two games take place every day, lasting 25 minutes each.

Jenks said the teachers have it worked out so they only give one or two lunch hours to the sport.

Playoff finals for the 2008 season will be held on the final day of school before the Christmas holiday.

As of press time, Jenks did not have a schedule made for the playoffs, but expects them to start next week.

A draft was held in September to decide who played on which team.

There are currently eight teams playing for the right to be called the best in the school.

Jenks said the draft was held to ensure the teams were evenly matched.

"If you look at the standings, the teams are placed pretty evenly," he said.

Jenks said the whole school is involved in the sport. "We have participants ranging from Grade 7 through Grade 12," he said.

Last year, the organizers surprised the school with a replica of the Stanley Cup, which was awarded to the team who won the playoff tournament.

This year, Jenks said there are other awards to be given out, but would not specify what they would be given for.

To help support the program, Jenks said each participating student paid $10 to play in the league.

"That money is being used for equipment and other things, like the trophies," he said.

One of the most obvious additions to the season is the blue hockey nets, which replaced the aged nets used last year.

"We picked up the nets about a month ago," he said.

No prize money will be awarded for winning the playoffs later this month, but Jenks said something much more valuable is up for grabs.

"It's all about bragging rights," he said with a smile.

Aaron Storr, 14, of the Generals team, is in his first season with the floor hockey league.

"It's been a pretty good season so far," said Storr, who is exited to play against the rest of the school and hopeful his team makes the finals.

Playing during lunch hour can be tricky, but Storr said he always comes prepared.

"I always pack a lunch for the days I play."