Newsletter, April 2020

How is Powerplay Sports & Entertainment (PPSE) coping with the COVID-19 situation?
Like most companies, our business has been at a standstill since February, when the main outbreaks started to occur around the world. The fact that all sporting events were halted in addition to the multitude of travel restrictions made it impossible to move forward with certain events.  In addition to suspending the Greater Bay Hockey League, Empire Hockey League and the Hong Kong Inline League; we have also cancelled or postponed six tournaments leading up to August. We are now in the position of ‘weathering the storm’ as best as possible during these tough times, and hope to be back as soon as it is safe to do so.

What is the plan?
We are trying to keep our social media channels (Facebook Instagram, Twitter – PowerplaySE) active as best as possible by sharing interesting and informative news from the hockey world. Furthermore, we are preparing our leagues and tournaments as if we are starting up in the fall. The situation is fluid and we will adjust our start dates and plans as it happens. We know that the key is to be prepared to get things going once the circumstances allow. Once travel restrictions are eased and events can be organized, rest assured that PPSE will announce a full line up of tournaments.

What’s next?
We will be teaming up with the stickhandling wizard, Pavel Barber, on a series of virtual training classes starting in May. It will be open to everyone to join and details will follow soon.

Second, we are hopeful to restart the Empire Hockey League and the Hong Kong Inline Hockey League in mid-May, depending on when the Hong Kong Government will allow the rinks to open. For those that are interested in joining these leagues when they resume, get in contact with us by emailing admin@ryanb91.sg-host.com

Third, the Awards Party for the SCIHL, CIHL and HKIHL will be held following the completion of their regular season and playoffs. Fortunately, for the SCIHL, they completed their season on March 21 before the closure of the rinks.

Finally, we hope that everyone practices what is becoming the daily norm, including washing your hands frequently, social distancing, and wearing a mask in public. We are all in this together and look forward to getting back to the rinks soon. Stay safe!

– Keith Fong
CEO, Powerplay Sports and Entertainment

Pavel Barber has quickly emerged as one of the most sought-after stick handling and skill development instructors in the world (including by NHL players). He is an internet hockey legend for his dangles, creative shootout moves and skill development work; all centred around improving stickhandling and the multitude of situations it can be utilized.

His YouTube channel has over 23 million views and continues to grow daily. Barber’s renown in the stickhandling world lends itself to his obsession with it. He is a true student of the game, garnering and carefully analysing the latest in creative moves and stickhandling techniques from all across the world via the internet and social media. He is always looking to share his vast array of knowledge, and trains hockey players of all ages and skill levels in group sessions or individually.

In 2016, Barber was selected to the Team Canada National Floorball team that competed in Riga at the World Floorball Championships. Barber is a GoPro sponsored athlete and has played Indoor Hockey and Field Hockey for Team Canada between 2010 and 2015. Originally from Toronto, Barber currently resides in Vancouver (or anywhere he can have a stick and puck/ball in his hands).

PPSE will be working with Pavel to bring his training techniques right to your screen beginning in May. Full details will be announced shortly. If you are interested in getting the information right away before it goes public, send us an email to register – admin@ryanb91.sg-host.com

The Empire Hockey League has been on prolonged hiatus since the first week of the season due to the situation in Hong Kong forcing the closure of public event spaces at this time (including the Dragon Centre ice rink). We apologize for the continued postponement of the league and continue to monitor the government regulations regarding this situation.

The Empire Hockey League is currently targeting a restart date of May 14th subject to further announcements from the government. Your patience has been much appreciated and we hope to get back on the ice soon.

For anyone still interested in playing in this league upon its restart, we can still accommodate players on a part-time basis. Please email admin@ryanb91.sg-host.com to express your interest. League format is 3 on 3 and games are played at Dragon Centre in Sham Shui Po on Thursday evenings.