NHL lockout saddens Bozeman's coach and players

Published on February 23, 2005 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bozeman Icedogs News Release


If the NHL lockout has left hockey fans angry and upset, consider what the loss of the 2004-05 NHL season it does to the Bozeman ICEDOGS.

"All of our players are still a few years away from having the lockout have any affect on their careers," said Bozeman head coach John LaFontaine. "They're still focused on making it to the collegiate level." Nevertheless, says LaFontaine, the NHL is the top ambassador for the sport of hockey and the work stoppage brings a tarnished image for the game at any level.

"It's disappointing, because it affects the casual fan's overall perception of the game." LaFontaine said.

And while the damage to the fan base is bad enough, the example that the players are setting could have worse repercussions.

"With the stage the (professional) players are on, they set an example for all hockey players, and if the example you're setting is one of poor character, then you're harming your own sport. I'm not saying the owners are blameless, but the players have an obligation to the game," says LaFontaine.

ICEDOGS forward Filip Macejka sees the effect going even deeper. "When you watch the game at its highest level, you learn as a player. As long as those players are playing, the game is progressing and you can watch and learn from what the pros are doing. Without them, there isn't much to learn," Macejka says.

"If anything, we miss watching the game."

Even with a cancelled season and no real hope that a deal can be reached soon, the ICEDOGS still aren't letting the situation affect their love for the game.

"Everyone has dreams of making it into the (NHL), and while it's still a speck on the horizon for most of us, college is our main focus right now," said backup goaltender Matt Cleveland. "We all love hockey - that's the reason we're here right now."

As the team tries to cope with the labor situation in the NHL, they still have major issues to deal with on their own ice. There are 11 games left in the season and the ICEDOGS are in last place. However, since the West Division race is so tight, no team has clinched a playoff spot and there is still an outside chance that the team could make a run.

"If we win all of the rest of our games, we could do it," Macejka says. "Right now that sounds a little ridiculous, but you have to always be positive. This is a good team and there are a lot of players in their last year here that don't want to go out on a losing note."

Six of the ICEDOGS will turn 21 this year, making them ineligible to play junior hockey in the 2005-06 season. Of those six, two (Bill Leahy and Zach McKelvie, pictured above) have scholarships to play college hockey. Unless the rest get recruited, it could be their last year of hockey - something that could give the team enough incentive to turn things around.

"It's never too late," said LaFontaine. "You don't ever quit. Learning how to win is one of the most important things a player develops."

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North American Hockey League Stories from February 23, 2005


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