The fifth season of the Cranbrook women’s recreational hockey league is set to get underway in October, and organizers are putting out the call for any women over 18 to sign up, regardless of skill level.

Games are during weekend evenings in Cranbrook and the emphasis is on developing a love for the game while creating new friendships, as players come in from areas like Jaffray, Kimberley and Skookumchuck.

When the league started, there was a vision to provide the opportunity for women to get together and have a fun evening of hockey.

A lot of players are hockey moms of hockey-playing kids who’ve spent years watching the game, but have never had a chance to try out the sport.

Other players include women who went through minor hockey when they were teenagers, but are now in college, or returning from a post-secondary education from out of the region.

There are mother-daughter lines out on the ice, while teams also feature a couple grandmothers.

The skill level varies, but emphasis on sportsmanship means that beginners enjoy their first on-ice sessions. Referees are supplied by the league, but games are run in a low-key manner and any penalties called are dealt through penalty shots so that play resumes quickly.

Anyone interested in getting involved with the women’s-only hockey league can contact Jean Terpsma at gterpsma@gmail.com or at 250-427-3182.