The Richmond Jets Minor Hockey Association couldn’t have asked for a more experienced “pilot” to guide its inaugural Midget A1 rep team.
Derek Chichak began as player with the Richmond Minor Hockey Association back in 1974 and 20 years later launched his coaching career — becoming one of the most decorated mentors in the history of Seafair Minor Hockey. He even enjoyed a brief stint behind the bench with Richmond Minor then finally stepped away from the game.
It turned to be a short hiatus before he was approached again to take on the top Midget team in the newly merged association. His longtime assistant Bob Walker is back working with him too, along with their sons — Sam Chichak and Cameron Walker.
A spirited 2-1 home ice win over Ridge Meadows Saturday night gave the Jets a 4-2-4 record in Pacific Coast’s highly competitive top flight. The team has four more league games before turning its attention to hosting 38th annual Richmond Bantam Midget International, starting on Boxing Day— a tournament Chichak has twice won guiding Seafair.
“Just one more goal in four of those ties and we would be almost running away with the league,” he said. “But everybody in this division is so competitive and so even. “We have just six league games left so we are gearing up for the Christmas tournament and provincials. That’s our goal.”
Chichak was impressed with how the new executive handled the merger of the rep teams.
An initial tryout process was overseen by independent evaluators before about 28 players advanced to the second stage where the Jets coaching staff finalized the roster.
The association had made a cost-saving decision to phase in new uniforms with most of the older teams continuing to wear Seafair or Richmond Minor colours. Dealing with 15-to-17-year-olds who have played for one organization or the other for their entire careers, it wasn’t ideal.
Instead, team parent Ron Strik generously purchased uniforms. It won’t be the association’s official new look next season, however, it does use the same colour scheme and each shoulder has a crest of the former associations.
“It had become a bit of a divider in our room of what jersey to wear but fortunately (Ron) really stepped up for us. They look great and the boys love them,” said Chichak.
Jets’ home games are also quite an event — complete with longtime Richmond Sockeyes announcer Nolan Jackson generously donating his time, along with music for play stoppages. Having a 5:15 p.m. Saturday game slot in Minoru’s stadium rink doesn’t hurt either. Next up is Chilliwack.
“For most of these guys, this could be it for them, especially with school and other things. They may never play at a higher level so let’s make it special for them,” added Chichak.
