Michael Stadnyk hadn't heard of ringette until his daughter was invited by a friend to try it out when she was seven years old.
His daughter took to it right away and he also became a fan of the sport. That was 11 years ago, and Stadnyk is now coaching his youngest daughter, and is the vice president of North West Vancouver Ringette Association in North Vancouver.
"It's more exciting to watch than hockey, I think, because it takes more technical ability, in my opinion, to be able to stab that ring as it's ripping across the ice," he says. "It's very fast. When it's played correctly it's very fast."
Ringette looks similar to hockey but is played with a ring rather than a puck, and a specific ringette stick with a special tip. It's a very team oriented sport with some unique rules, especially in the offensive and defensive zones, explains Stadnyk.
Skating is key and great eye-hand co-ordination helps, but once the ring is on the stick, if the player has good stick control, she or he can look where they're going and the ring stays on their stick, he notes.
"Some of the players can rip the ring very well," says Stadnyk. "It's amazing how fast that ring can go."
Ringette can be physical, but body checking isn't allowed. Slashing and hooking are also not allowed; players have to get their stick under their opponent's stick to extract the ring.
Staying out of the goalie crease is strictly enforced, and a shot clock prevents any one team from winding down the clock, says Stadnyk, noting it's a game with a lot of play-making and strategy.
"You have 30 seconds to move the ring once you take possession of it," he explains. "You have to be quick, you have to get across that line to get the pass."
Ringette is a highly competitive sport but it doesn't have the same exposure as other ice sports because it's not in the Olympics, says Stadnyk.
The North West Vancouver Ringette Association currently has about 100 players ages five and up, and they are always recruiting.
"Once they try it they love it," says Stadnyk of new players.
The association does have players that play both hockey and ringette, and Stadnyk says the two sports are complementary, with some distinct differences.
"If you can skate ringette you can excel at hockey because you've got one of the basic skills already," he adds.
As well as the regular program for kids, the association also has a Power to Play group for adults who are interested in trying out the sport. Players don't have to know how to skate to join, and they have the opportunity to later graduate to a masters program and compete in a masters division with teams from across the Lower Mainland.
"It's never too late to join ringette," says Stadnyk.
The North West Vancouver Ringette Association is holding a free introduction to ringette event on March 9, 6: 15 p.m., at West Vancouver Arena, 786 - 22nd St., West Vancouver.
WHY I LIKE RINGETTE
I like ringette because it's fun and you can make lots of new friends. Through the years that I've played I've discovered lots of new skills.
Katy, age 11
Like everyone says, "There is no "i" in team." Ringette is definitely a sport that puts that saying into place.
Heather, age 11
I think ringette is fun because it has lots of action and lots of shifts. Ringette is perfect for all ages, even parents! It's easy to learn and easy to play.
Claire, age 11
The thing I like the best about ringette is scoring the first goal of the game. After that, it is all about fun on the ice. Ringette is great.
Maya, age 11
