To the seasons of life
Re: Spanish in the “New World”
While it can be troubling to think about how widespread abuse and exploitation ococcurs across different times and places, there is no biological agent, environmental factor, or airborne pheromone that drives people to commit these acts.In both historical contexts—like the European colonization of the Americas—and modern criminal cases, these behaviors are driven by human dynamics rather than external environmental forces. Key factors include:
When individuals or groups operate in environments with little to no legal oversight, accountability, or threat of punishment, they are far more likely to abuse their position. * Isolating Environments: Remote regions, isolated colonies, or private, highly controlled locations make it difficult for victims to seek help or for external authorities to intervene.
Culturally or systematically viewing certain groups of people as inferior, disposable, or property enables severe mistreatment and abuse.Extremely disturbing cases of abuse—whether historical or contemporary—often leave us searching for explanations for how people can act this way. However, criminologists, historians, and psychologists attribute these actions to human choices, institutional failures, and the corrupting influence of power, rather than anything in the physical environment.If reading about or reflecting on these heavy topics feels overwhelming, it can sometimes be helpful to step back from these historical and criminal accounts. Is there another topic, book, or project you’d like to talk about today?
Gallery hours 10am to 5pm most days. Noon to four Sundays.
At the corner of Voght Street and Nicola Avenue, Merritt, BC, Canada.
and see how they brought this pile to order and beauty.
Comments welcome.
Kamloops at Merritt Saturday, 7:00 p.m. start.
Note: This not an add …
We welcome your comments.
Be Creative Be wise Be Patient and see BC
The Centennials are in Quesnel for the weekend. The team will be home next weekend to start three home games meeting Kimberly, then Kamloops and next the Grand Forks Border Bruins.
The Merritt Centennials have over a half century of tenure in Merritt, British Columbia, with junior hockey. The team has in recent time reorganized to the new league province-wide named The British Columbia Hockey Conference.
On the side and front of the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council building the corner of Nicola and Vought Street in Merritt BC Canada saw a charmed 🖋️ ing for Lens newest work.
In attendance at the ceremony were mayor-elect Mike Goetz and Arts Council principal Michelle Yurkowski. A former Arts Council coordinator Jano Horwath. And numbers of interested members of the council. And the general public.
Comments ranged from:
“Nice,”
“Stimulating”
“Energetic “
The group went inside after pictures. + Viewed the opening of this month’s show called “wooden”. Leonard pointed out the distinction of a bench made out of the twines of an oak barrel that at one point might have been for whiskey or beer. The adaptability of wood was very demonstrative in that meeting in the show. And its place in our history was emphasized by the time and tenure of the building that the display is in.
So, come and pay your respects to Chief Dan George ‘s. heritage through his grandson’s work. We particularly think of his movie star career where he played with a-listers like Clint Eastwood.
Art like physics needs to be “Observed” to exist. KDG
File Photo KDG
The BCHC,league.
Twenty year olds in the BCHC…
The paths taken by two 20-year-old veterans illustrate the contrast in outcomes at this level:
1. The Collegiate / Minor-Pro Bound Veteran * Player Profile: Brady Magarrell (Forward, Beaver Valley Nitehawks) *
The Trajectory: Highly productive 20-year-old top scorers and league MVPs routinely leveraged their dominant final season to secure spots at the next level. Players like Magarrell—who put up over 70 points in a 44-game regular season—showcase elite hockey IQ, leadership, and readiness for physical play. * Next Chapter: Players on this tier typically commit to U Sports programs (like Simon Fraser University or the University of Victoria) or high-level ACAC / ACHA Division 1 college teams. A select few use their momentum to land contracts or tryouts with lower-tier European professional clubs or North American minor-pro leagues (such as the SPHL).
2. The Career Transition / University Student * Player Profile: Logan McCabe (Defenseman, Grand Forks Border Bruins)
* The Trajectory: Solid, dependable 20-year-old core veterans—often blue-liners or depth leaders—play a crucial stabilizing role for their junior clubs while nearing the end of their competitive hockey arcs. After anchoring a defense and taking significant penalty minutes over a multi-year junior career, the 20-year-old season serves as a ideal closing chapter. * Next Chapter: Players in this group typically “hang up their competitive skates” after their final game. They transition directly into full-time post-secondary education (entering university or trade apprenticeships) using league education scholarship funds. While they step away from Junior A, many continue to play casually in competitive Senior A circuits or local adult leagues while building their post-hockey careers.
Across the 22 teams in the British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC) Junior A league, roster limits strictly regulate the number of 20-year-olds (referred to as “age-outs”) to ensure opportunities remain open for younger developmental players.Below is the approximate breakdown of how many 20-year-olds complete their junior eligibility each year and where they transition afterward:1. How Many 20-Year-Olds Complete Their Junior Careers? * Roster Caps: BCHC rules generally limit each team to carrying a maximum of 6 to 8 twenty-year-olds on an active roster. * Total Players: Across 22 member teams, that means roughly 130 to 175 twenty-year-olds complete their final season of junior eligibility each spring across the league.
2. How Many Move On to Play Higher-Level Hockey?
Out of those ~150 aging-out players, approximately 25% to 35% (about 35 to 55 players) continue playing competitive organized hockey: * U Sports & Canadian Colleges (~15–25 players): The primary pathway for top BCHC age-outs is Canadian post-secondary hockey—such as USports programs (e.g., SFU, UBC, or Prairie schools), ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference), or BCIHL (BC Intercollegiate Hockey League). * NCAA Division III & ACHA (~10–20 players): Some players secure commitments to American college programs in NCAA D-III or high-level ACHA Division 1 club programs. * Minor Pro & Overseas (~5–10 players): A small handful of standout veterans earn professional tryouts or contracts in North American minor-pro leagues (SPHL, FPHL) or lower-tier European leagues (Germany, Sweden, UK).
3. How Many “Hang Up Their Skates”?Roughly 65% to 75% (about 90 to 120 players) transition away from competitive, full-time hockey after their 20-year-old season. * Transition to University/Trades: Most leverage their junior hockey background, discipline, and league education funds to pursue full-time degrees or skilled trade apprenticeships. * Senior A & Recreational Leagues: Many do not stop playing hockey entirely—they transition into high-caliber Senior A leagues (like the CIHL in BC) or competitive local adult leagues while starting their post-hockey careers.
* Leagues Involved: The BCHC itself operates as 1 unified Junior A league. It was formed through the restructuring of former Tier 2/Junior B circuits (the KIJHL and PJHL) into a consolidated BC Hockey-sanctioned Junior A circuit. * Number of Teams: There are 22 member teams competing in the inaugural 2026–27 BCHC season, split across four geographical divisions (Interior, Kootenay, Mainland, and Valley). * Number of Players: Junior hockey rosters typically carry between 20 to 25 players per team at any given time. Across the 22 teams in the league, that accounts for approximately 440 to 550 active rostered players total. * Games per Team: Each team will play a 50-game regular season schedule (25 home games and 25 away games), resulting in 550 total regular season games across the league. * The Championship Cup: BCHC teams compete for the historic Mowat Cup, awarded to the Junior A champion of British Columbia.Best Outcome for a 20-Year-Old “Ager-Out” PlayerFor a 20-year-old playing his final year of junior eligibility, the pathway depends heavily on his long-term goals, both on and off the ice: * U Sports (Canadian University Hockey): * The Goal: Earn a spot on a Canadian university roster (e.g., USports programs like UBC, SFU, or schools across Canada) or ACHA Division 1 / ACAC college teams. * Why it’s top tier: A strong final season allows 20-year-olds to showcase their leadership, maturity, and physical completeness, opening doors to post-secondary education backed by athletic performance. * Pro Opportunities (Minor Professional / European Leagues): * The Goal: Transition directly into professional contracts in leagues like the ECHL, SPHL, or lower-tier European professional divisions (e.g., in Sweden, Germany, or the UK). * Why it’s top tier: Pro scouts look for age-outs who dominate physically and consistently deliver at the Junior A level to fill depth roles on minor-pro rosters. * Championship Hardware & Personal Legacy: * The Goal: Capping off a junior career by winning the Mowat Cup. * Why it’s top tier: Winning a championship as a 20-year-old leader provides an undeniable high point to close out a competitive youth career, establishing personal legacy and local prestige within the community.
Princeton is visiting Merritt tonight. That is their hockey team. From the British Columbia Hockey Conference, Junior A.
7:00 start to the game, with Princeton becoming familiar with us,they are a very close community and being the first to be played this season. Games generally sportsmanship orientated with a friendly pace fast and formal.
Next week, October 10th 2026 will be the last farmers market in Merritt for this season. Starting at 9:30 a.m. And ending at 1:00 p.m.. come by and say goodbye or so long till next time.
Hey Merit what do you say?
Kevin Griffiths
percypaschal
