Hockey and family a strong bond for Ball siblings

The sport of hockey was one way the Ball family enjoyed time together, but it also bonded the siblings on the backyard rink.

“Our parents put us in hockey at the earliest age. We have hockey parents – they love hockey, love to watch and love everything about it,” said Justin. “My dad used to build a big backyard rink and we would be on that for countless hours. It’s been in our family.”

Playing on the backyard rink is where the love of the game started for both Justin and Kate.

Having two older brothers pushed Kate to get better and stronger. She grew up figure skating and playing hockey but was always pulled more to the game.

“My brothers definitely had a huge impact on my hockey career. I remember being out on the backyard rink that my dad built when I was two years old pushing around an upside-down garbage bin with my older brothers out there. I just wanted to be like them and do what they were doing,” said Kate. “On the backyard rink, they would pick on me a bit, but I’m grateful for it because it got me to where I am today. If I didn’t have that extra pushing and shoving and support, I don’t think I’d be where I am. I am grateful for them.”

Justin knew that he wanted hockey to be a big part of his life as he grew up. He played midget hockey in Saskatoon and then moved away to play junior hockey with the Melfort Mustangs of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) for three seasons before joining the Huskies.

“Right when I started, I loved the game. I always wanted to make it to the NHL, but that didn’t happen. Right from the earliest age, I wanted to play hockey and I want to keep playing hockey,” he said. “Playing midget, I wasn’t sure what level I’d get to … I struggled then, but I found my stride in junior and here at the UofS.”

Justin Ball has 16 points in 20 games for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s team this season. (Photo By Josh Schaefer/Huskie Athletics/GetMyPhoto.ca)

Kate also had to play away from home, which makes their bond so much stronger now. She played three seasons with the Prince Albert Bears of the Saskatchewan Female AAA Hockey League (SFAAAHL) before coming back home to play for the Huskies.

“My first year, I had to travel after school. There was a bunch of us that would carpool together to PA to practice. It was late nights, doing homework on the road,” said Kate. “The last two years, I lived there. It was a big adjustment with living away from home. I think throughout my midget career in Prince Albert, it was my goal to be a Huskie when I came back. I knew from Day One that I wanted to play university hockey in my hometown and I’m grateful I got the opportunity to do that.”

Despite the three-year age gap, Justin (23) and Kate (20) joined the Huskies in the 2019-20 season, which was special for both of them to come back home at the same time and play for the University of Saskatchewan.

“We came in the same year, so that was exciting too. We both got to experience the same things and new beginnings,” Kate said. “Both of us played away from home, so I think coming home together for university was special for both of us and our family as well.”

Like any sibling, the friendly rivalries that were built on the backyard rink helped Justin and Kate in their own respective games and skill-sets. There are no bets on goals or points during the season, but there is a strong desire for both to succeed and they are their biggest supporters.

“We’ve always been competitive with each other, mostly on the outdoor rink, but we always try to support each other and make each other better,” said Kate. “He has always pushed me to be better. We don’t have a points competition, but we try to make each other better.”

Kate Ball has nine points in 18 games this season for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s team. (Photo By Josh Schaefer/Huskie Athletics/GetMyPhoto.ca)

Having a sibling not only understand the game directly is helpful but having someone close by that gets the highs and lows that come with a season is a benefit as well.

“I try to watch as many games of hers as I can and I’m always cheering her on,” said Justin. “Whenever we are going through struggles, we help each other out.”

Family is obviously important to them and both Justin and Kate are grateful for the chance to not only play at home but also represent the Huskies together as siblings and separately on their teams. They even have the inverted jersey numbers to each other. Justin wears 12 and Kate wears 21 for the Huskies.

“Family is the most important thing in life,” said Justin. “It is special that I can experience this with my sister.”

Kate added: “My parents and my brothers have always pushed me to do better with school and hockey. Growing up, they always supported me. Living at home is nice to have that support from my family too.”

Justin and Kate will look to help keep their seasons going this weekend as the Huskies teams prepare for the start of the Canada West playoffs.

The Huskies women’s team will play the University of Winnipeg Bisons on the road in their quarter-final match-up. They finished with an 11-7-1-2 record with 24 points – good for fifth place in the standings. The Bisons finished in fourth place with 26 points and a 13-7-2-0 record. The Huskies have fallen to the Bisons in all four meetings this season, including two losses to wrap up the regular season.

“We have been working hard and pushing each other to do better. I think it’s been a good season so far and I’m looking forward to the playoffs,” said Kate. “We have some challenges ahead of us, but I think the team can do it.”

For the Huskies men’s team, they will host their sixth straight home playoff series. They finished the season with a 13-7-1-0 record with 26 points and in fourth place. They will face the fifth-seeded University of Calgary Dinos, who finished with a 12-7-1-1 record with 25 points.

The Huskies and Dinos split their regular season match-up and will look to gain the upper hand this weekend. Ball and the Huskies will host the Dinos on Friday (7 p.m.), Saturday (7 p.m.) and if necessary, on Sunday (7 p.m.) at Merlis Belsher Place.

“I think it has been a successful season so far. We’ve had our ups and downs this year, but I think we come out better for it in the end. I think we have a good shot at being a contender,” said Justin. “It is tough being down a few players, but that adversity we go through and that helps us be a better hockey team.”

All women’s and men’s games can be heard live on the HuskieFAN app or at huskiefan.ca.

by Katie Brickman-Young

Hockey and family a strong bond for Ball siblings

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