Tethered into an overhead harness, Jessica Williamson glides back and forth, tentatively at first and then with confidence B次元官网网址� on plastic ice.

The 13-year-old Juan de Fuca bantam hockey player makes skating on Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 first synthetic ice treadmill look easy.

B次元官网网址淭his is awesome,B次元官网网址� Jessica says while standing in line for her next round on the polyethylene sheet. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 like gliding. ItB次元官网网址檚 a little chopper and harder than ice, but itB次元官网网址檚 like ice.B次元官网网址�

Welcome to hockey practice in a world with more players than ice time. Three Victoria hockey enthusiasts have opened a Puckmasters franchise in Colwood, a training facility that boasts the first privately-owned ice rink in the region.

B次元官网网址淭here are a few thousand minor hockey players in the region that want to do extra training,B次元官网网址� said Kevin De Jong, Puckmasters president. B次元官网网址淭here are always players looking for extra ice.B次元官网网址�

The treadmill spins up to 45 kilometres per hour to give fast adult skaters a workout. Players old and young can glide, practice stick-handling and take shots on net.

B次元官网网址淓verybody from little guys to Jr. A Grizzlies and guys in physical rehab can use the treadmill,B次元官网网址� De Jong says. B次元官网网址淚t has less glide but the same feel, the same stride. It takes a while to get the hang of it.B次元官网网址�

De Jong said the business makes sense in Greater Victoria, where minor hockey leagues such as Juan de Fuca and Saanich have more youth than they can handle and players are highly motivated to improve.

LangfordB次元官网网址檚 Sportsplex ice sheet is the only upcoming new ice in the region, and isnB次元官网网址檛 expected to relieve the demand from various youth and adult hockey leagues and figure skating. JDF minor hockey alone has 650 youth players and has a waiting list.

B次元官网网址淏etween Sooke and Peninsula and Kerry Park (Mill Bay) there are 4,000 minor hockey players,B次元官网网址� De Jong says. B次元官网网址淚t starts adding up.B次元官网网址�

In late January, Puckmasters laid down its first ice on a sheet about half the size as a regulation hockey rink. De Jong admits its sharp learning curve mastering the Zamboni and keeping the ice level. The facility expects to start adult and youth three-on-three leagues in February.

JDF minor hockey president Ken Carson said next season the league plans to use the smaller rink at Puckmasters for five and six year old players, which will help free up time on larger ice sheets.

B次元官网网址淥n smaller ice, younger kids touch the puck a lot more. There is huge benefits there,B次元官网网址� Carson said. B次元官网网址淐ondensed ice size is great to develop younger players, and in certain situations for older players.B次元官网网址�

Carson said the facility has already helped keep the minor hockey program running when the Pacific Cup tournament took over much of the ice in the region.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a few differences with ice,B次元官网网址� Carson said. B次元官网网址淏ut (the treadmill) is a great tool because ice time is at a premium in Victoria.B次元官网网址�

Check out www.puckmasters.com/victoria. Three-on-three adult and youth leagues start Feb. 1.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com