The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Goalie Travis Crickard loves to know everything when it comes to Jr. 'A' hockey in Canada. Question is, is it a hobby for him? "I guess you could say that," Crickard says. "Almost everyday I look at different Jr. 'A' hockey websites on the Internet." And yes, he does have a favourite website. Any guesses? If you guessed the Bombers website, give yourself a pat on the back. "Next best is the Nanaimo Clippers in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL)," he says. "They always have up-to-date game photos, videos of great goals and nice saves from games." Crickard also likes the fact the organization includes their fans. "I know one part of their website they have smile of the game and they have a picture of a fan from every home game and they win a prize," he says. "I think that's a really nice part of the website." Becoming a master on the Canadian Junior 'A' Hockey League started for the St. John's, Nfld. native when he received letters from teams ranging from the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL, Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), to the Weyburn Red Wings and Estevan Bruins of the SJHL. As Crickards' eyes gaze different websites, he pays attention to goaltending stats because he wants to see who are the top goaltenders in the league and who's making commitments to National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) colleges. "I've got quite a number of friends from St. John's that are playing Junior 'A' hockey in Canada or the U.S.," says Crickard. "I like to see how they're doing." So what does he think is the most interesting thing about Jr. 'A' hockey? "I think it's the tradition and I just find it amazing how some guys have played Jr. 'A' hockey until they're 20 and then they go on to a scholarship, but were never drafted to the NHL, like some guys were," he explains. "Then they do finally make it to the NHL, sign as free agents, become big stars when they weren't recognized as one when they were younger because they were such late bloomers." The Bombers goalie likes the league because players have more time to develop. "Oh I love it, you know, it's a great stepping stone to move on to bigger and better things like National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) scholarships or major junior,"says Crickard, who grew up liking Patrick Roy and now likes Jean-Sebastien Giguere of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. "I love how a lot of Jr. 'A' teams are based out of small towns, so you're known a lot better throughout the town and that's great for players to be known well in the community."
