Heather Wright/The Independent

The sounds of senior hockey will be heard in Alvinston, likely on Friday nights.

Brooke-Alvinston Council has given the preliminary thumbs up for Shawn Dickey – formerly of the Thedford Dirty Dogs – to set up a new senior hockey team for the Western Ontario Super Hockey League.

“This would be a team primarily made of ex Junior C, B and A players mixed with some former professional hockey players. A good blend of local and players found outside the area to form a competitive team that would be very involved within the community,” Dickey told council in a letter.

“The team would be playing out of the newly formed Western Ontario Super Hockey League. Teams such as Paris, Stratford and Fergus would form the base of the league with interest from other towns as well,” he says. “There is currently an Eastern division playing out of the Cornwall area that hosts 10 teams. At the end of the year there will be a provincial title where the East and the West champions meet.”

Dickey says there are already 50 players interested in the tryouts coming in September. He’s also looking for members of the Alvinston community to be on the club’s board and staff.

“My aim when trying to start this team is to bring something exciting to a community that the people can get behind, support and be a part of.

“I picture a “buzz” in town when there’s a big game or young players in the area pretending to be the players while out playing street hockey. A social gathering in town on game nights and an economic boost to the community after game nights to local establishments.”

There is some work to be done. The Killer Bees want home games on Friday night – that ice time is already booked by East Lambton Minor Hockey. Town staff will have a meeting with the user groups to work out a schedule.

The club also wants the town to consider licensing the whole arena on game night. A plan for that still has to be worked out.