Team India players have ties to Team BC program
Eight Team BC Alumni players get ready to take on the world.
Most would agree the words 'hockey' and 'Canada' go together just as well as maple
syrup and pancakes. To live in Canada and have the opportunity to play for Canada, for
most, is a once in a lifetime dream. But to play for your nationality, your ancestry, your
roots is a feat that's felt in your heart.
The Team BC program has had many high level players go on to play in various world
level events. But for a group of BC alumni players - playing for Team India this week at
the Men's World Ball Hockey Championship, means playing for their brothers, family
and community close to their hearts.
I can remember the days I scouted each of these players for TeamBC, and the first time
they played for their home province. As the first year can be intimidating, it’s the years
growing with the program and developing their game that now have them playing on a
world stage.
I’ve always said to the players that I have coached in the Team BC program – you as a
player show respect towards coaches and coaches will show respect to you as a young
player. This has gone a long way with these players as I have been fortunate to see them
grow from young boys to young adults in this sport with great attitudes.
Players like Jagpal Sandhu and Manuveer Mahil, that played many years in the Team BC
minor ball hockey program went on to play for Canada (Junior Team Canada in 2008 and
2010). In 2007, along with Paul Chima, they took silver at the U17 Nationals with the BC
Thunder.
Jas Kahlon and Deep Toor, I had the pleasure of coaching them to BC’s first ever ball
hockey National gold in 2009 with the U15 West Coast Wolverines. Over the years they
have gotten stronger in their positions and have proven to many they are world class
players.
Others that have worn the BC uniform, now playing for Team India, are Ryan Kaila who
participated in the 2007/2008 Nationals for the U19 West Coast Express, Teenu Bassi
who has worn the province colours and most recently Shaydon Dosanjh who just
graduated from the minor program last year with a silver medal at the U19 Nationals in
Edmonton.
They are well respected in the ball hockey community, along with this and their
preparation in the past months, I can see the passion and drive they have playing for
Team India. With great respect, I wish them all the best in Pardubice, Czech Republic
along with their Team India brothers.
Regards,
Gary Slavin,
Team BC National Program Director
(Pictured left to right in photo at training camp in Plzen: Manuveer Mahil, Paul Chima, Jas
Kahlon, Shaydon Dosanjh, Deep Toor, Ryan Kaila and Jag Sandhu. Missing Teenu Bassi)