It all started in the parking lot of the Avondale Gardens as an idea out of the brains of Cam Green and Ryan Langford. “Dude, what if we started our own league…”
If you’re lucky enough to have met Cam you’ll agree with these two things about him.
He really, really, really loves hockey and any idea he has, no matter how “blue sky” it is, the next time you hear from Cam that idea is a reality.
When he and Langer had the idea of starting their own league, it wasn’t long after the can was empty and the dart was out that the BHL was born.
The name of the league sums it up perfectly; BHL – Backyard Hockey League – Buddies Hockey Life.
Four summers after the first parking lot chat, the BHL has expanded from four to six teams, held a draft at Eden Park, added FHL (Frontyard Hockey League) affiliate teams for each BHL team, which allowed more than another 70 players join the league and create a community that is the envy of all hockey associations in New Zealand.
Cups have been lifted, highlights have been featured on TSN, teeth have been lost, beers have been crushed and friendships have been made.
So what did the brain trust of the BHL have in store for the fifth season?
The Reset.
Teams would only be left with a “Core Four” of players from their previous season rosters and everyone else went back into the Free Agent pool to be picked in the draft.
29 rounds and over 150 picks.
The draft results will be announced this Friday at a prestigious black-tie event where everyone will learn their fate, which sweater they will be pulling on this summer and which teammates they will be chirping with before the game.
Spoiler alert: The first overall pick has already been announced…