Mario Prusina

Times Editor

 

With just two more games left in the regular season, the UFA Bisons are searching for answers heading into the post-season.

After a tremendous run to the finals of the Mac’s Midget Hockey Tournament, the Bisons returned to league play and have not garnered the results they expected.

When the team broke for the Christmastime tournament, they were battling for one of the top spots in the South Division.

However, by going 1-6-2 in the New Year, they are entrenched in the fifth spot, with no chance of moving up or down in the standings.

“I think one of the reasons is that, obviously coming into the season everybody looks at the Mac’s as a time to peak, not only as a team, but individually it’s a great time to get noticed and recognized,” described head coach Jeremy Friesen. “For most of the guys, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. So we come out of the Mac’s, we don’t have the greatest results that we wanted to – there are a lot of different factors that go into that … (now) we have no ability to move up or down in the standings.

“It’s tough – and I hate to say this, but I think it plays a factor – but when there is nothing really on the line for us. It’s tough to get that second and third effort.”

According to Friesen, despite the team’s struggles, including a 5-0 road loss to the Red Deer Rebels on Feb. 11, they have not developed any bad habits that will affect their playoff fortunes.

He believes that once the games mean something again, the results wll swing in their favour.

However, with a pair of games against the top two teams in the North Division, the time to make adjustments heading into the post season is now.

“I’m pretty confident that when the game becomes a playoff game – when it’s basically win or go home – that we’re going to have that ability to step up our game immensely and get back to work. As soon as there is that sense of desperation and urgency that is attached back to those games.

“As a coaching staff, that’s what we need to do these last two games, is create that sense of urgency.” 

The Bisons will play those two games this weekend when they travel to the Edmonton area to face the St. Albert Sports Raiders and the Leduc Oil Kings on Feb. 18 & 19. Game times are 8 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. respectively.

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

She may be new to competing but gymnast Montana Fairbairn, a Westmount Elementary student, is already showing she shouldn’t be taken for granted. 

The somewhat shy gymnast began training when she was four years old, and now at nine, has had a chance to participate in two competitions. 

The first competition took place Jan. 21 in Edmonton and the second was in Red Deer on Feb. 4. 

At the Edmonton competition she placed first place on floor, second on beam, third on vault, seventh on the uneven bars and first place all around champion. 

In Red Deer’s competition was a similar story: first on floor, second on beam, fifth on the uneven bars and first place all around champion. 

“I just wanted to go out there and show them my moves, and have fun and do my best,” said Fairbairn when asked if she thought she would do so well her first few times out. 

Fairbairn trains out of the Stampede City Gymnastics Club in Calgary, and has since the beginning. Practicing her floor routine is one of her favourite events, “because I like to dance and tumble.”

The only thing she can say she doesn’t like about her chosen sport is the flexibility training. 

“Somebody can be flexible and they’re powerful, but they are not like really, really powerful, and I am powerful but not very flexible,” said Fairbairn.

“When we went to Calgary I expected her to get up to this level,” said mom Jaime Fairbairn.    

“Gymnastics they move fast, but it’s a lot. Now the amount of scholarships that they have in the States, like a couple of our gymnasts got full-ride scholarships to the States so it’s kind of nice in that sense.”

She said the organizers make the meet (competition) fun and everyone gets to walk away with something, even if it was a goodie bag. 

Montana will also have a chance to show off her skills when she participates in the Kyle Shewfelt Gym Fest in March, and she will be heading to Montreal later this year to compete in the International Gymnix competition. Fairbairn is the only pre-novice from her club who will be going, and she is excited. Her goal is to one day make it into the Olympics. 

Times Editor

 

The Wheatland Kings concluded their most successful campaign in team history by winning four straight games to close out the regular season, including two victories this past weekend.

The local junior-b team defeated the second-place Cochrane Generals 3-2 on the road Feb. 4, before posting a 2-1 over the Blackfalds Ford Wranglers the following day at the Strathmore Family Centre.

With the pair of wins, the Kings closed out the season with a franchise best 18-17-1-2 record, good enough for third place in the South Division. 

“It was an outstanding weekend – not for the faint of heart,” laughed Kings head coach Doug Murphy. “We’re really happy – the guys are playing really well. The last two games were against real high-quality teams and we found a way to get the win in both games. It’s exactly the way you want to be playing going into the playoffs.”

The Kings entered the weekend in must-win mode, trying to avoid falling into fourth place and facing the fifth place team in a best-of-five series.

By finishing in third, the Kings earned a first-round bye and almost two weeks off before facing the Cochrane Generals in a best-of-seven series, starting Feb. 17.

“There was certainly pressure – once we stumbled (and lost) in Stettler, we knew that most likely we would have to win (the remaining games to finish third),” explained Murphy. “There was definitely a relief when the game ended Saturday night. You pretty much knew that Coaldale was going to get three wins (against the lowly Banff Bears), so if we wanted third place, we would have to win all of our games. 

“At the beginning of the year, we had two main goals; one was to finish above .500 and we wanted to finish in second or third place, so we’re happy with the way the (regular) season ended up.”

While Coaldale and High River battle in the first round, the Kings will have 11 full days of rest before their playoff series begins.

“It’s huge to get the extra week of rest,” said Murphy. “We just finished playing five games in a week’s time and they were tough games. We have guys with aches and pains … it gives us a chance to heal and get rested up.” 

If the regular season is any indication, the best-of-seven series between these two teams will be a close battle.

The Kings went 1-2-1 versus the Generals, with all but one game being separated by a single goal.

“We’re definitely going to be in a battle,” said Murphy. “Like I said before, they are a well coached team, they have a winning tradition and they know what it takes to win.

“Defensively, they control their own zone very well … and offensively, they constantly pressure you. They have three guys forechecking low and the defence aren’t afraid to pinch. We need to adapt our game like we did Friday night.

“We need to be much better in our end and we need to be moving the puck much quicker when we get it. We need to be finishing around the net.”

The Kings open the best-of-seven series on Feb. 17 when they travel to Cochrane. Game 2 is in Strathmore on Feb. 18 at the Family Centre, while Game 3 is Feb. 21 in Cochrane.

Game 4 shifts back to Strathmore on Feb. 22. Games 5-7 (if necessary) will keep alternating locations on Feb. 24, 25 and 28. All games begin at 8 p.m.

Shannon LeClair  

Times Reporter

 

The school volleyball season may be over for the year, but for one Strathmore teen club volleyball is in full swing. Power hitter Rhiece Cordes played on her Holy Cross Collegiate (HCC) team, and has begun her second season with the 403 Selects out of Calgary.

Many of Cordes’ family plays, or have played, volleyball, and mom Nicole Cordes is the coach of the Jr A HCC girls team. Darren Perizzolo, Cordes’ gym teacher, was the one who suggested she try out for the 403 Selects and she has been happy to be a part of it since.

“I love it, it’s great,” said Cordes. 

“Club volleyball is a more intense version of volleyball. I would say I’m learning at a faster pace just because it’s more committed. There are a lot of other clubs out there but 403 is really based on having a family sort of experience with the girls, and just really having an experience that will sort of affect your life, and not just volleyball.”

This month Cordes will be heading to San Jose with her 15U team to compete in a 16U tournament. Gaining experience, and focusing on further developing skills is just one more thing Nicole Cordes likes about having Rhiece play with the 403.

“The club really focuses on the younger ages and developing their skills, really focusing on developing the skills very well so when they get to the higher levels they have that totally down,” said Nicole. 

“The reason they go to the States is the club believes that it’s really good exposure for the girls, because that’s where the colleges and universities in the US scout for players for scholarships.

“All the girls on the 18U team that played last year, I think all of them got a scholarship somewhere. That’s the club’s goal is to have you leave after 18U and with a scholarship to somewhere.”

Last year the club had a chance to go to Stanford University and look around.  Rhiece said it was a good experience because it helps give a heads up on what the players may be looking for as far as universities. 

“I always talk about Stanford a lot because it would be really cool to go there, but I’m not totally sure. I think I want to go somewhere kind of further away from home…just because it would be a really good experience and just to travel and see different parts of the world,” said Rhiece.

Provincials will be held in Calgary this year, and nationals are in Toronto in May. Rhiece said every year the girls also do a training session in Canmore. The team spends the weekend together in a house and they fill their days in the gym training. 

Rhiece has also been playing ringette since she was in Grade 3, and said next year she may have to give it up if the 403 Selects ask her back. Practice takes place three days a week. The team will have a chance to play in three Alberta Volleyball Association tournaments, provincials, and nationals. 

Times Editor

 

It was a bad weekend on the scoreboard, but a great weekend in the standings for the UFA Bisons.

The local triple-A midget team failed to win either of their home weekend games, but managed to clinch a berth in the playoffs by gaining one point in the standings.

The Bisons opened the weekend with a 6-3 loss to Calgary Northstars on Jan. 27 at the Strathmore Family Centre, before earning a 4-4 draw versus the K of C Pats on Jan. 29, clinching fifth place in the South Division.

“That’s the positive I guess,” said Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen of the weekend. “No moving up and no moving down, I think we’re pretty entrenched in fifth. At the end of the day, anywhere from sixth to third is where we wanted to be – you don’t have home ice advantage in that first game, but you’re going to have to win on the road eventually and we’ve been just as successful on the road as we have at home.

“It is what it is and we’ll have to make the best of it – we’ve king of dug ourselves our own spot as far as where we’re at (by) giving away points. We’ve let teams stick around and this is the result and the state we’ve created for ourselves.

“No sense looking back at what was, we just have to make sure we’ve learnt our lesson and get prepared for what’s ahead.”

In the first game, the Bisons’ struggling power play cost them the win, as they went a disastrous 0-9 with the man advantage. After giving up the tying goal late in the second period to make it 2-2, the Bisons had a five-on-three for a full two minutes early in the third frame that went fruitless. 

Shortly after, the Northstars scored four goals in the final 7:55 of the game to clinch the win.

“It’s almost like when we get a power play, we slow the entire game down,” said Friesen. “We don’t pay attention, we don’t execute plays, we miss guys on the tape (with passes) … we think we have all this extra time and space to get added creativity and ‘be the guy to make the play.’

“Well, it doesn’t work … we’re not getting the results. Honestly, I think it’s time to give other players an opportunity and not settle for guys who are not going to do what we want them to do.

“We can’t keep giving the same guys an opportunity for not performing.”

The Bisons then played their final regular season home game against the Pats, settling for the one point that clinched their playoff spot. 

Despite going up 1-0, the Bisons gave up three unanswered goals before scoring three of their own.

With the 4-3 lead, the Bisons gave up the tying goal with just 2:12 remaining in the game.

“It ended up in a tie, and to be honest with you, I like the way we played,” said the coach. “Our power play was better – we didn’t get the results we wanted to, but our puck movement, attention to detail and our willingness to attack the net was much better. We made four defensive mistakes where our d-men were trying to make plays that weren’t there and those four mistakes ended up in the back of our net.”

The Bisons, who have gone 1-5-2 since returning from the Mac’s Tournament, will finally take a weekend off as the league hosts its annual all-star game.

According to Friesen, the break will help the Bisons get rejuvenated for the final three games of the regular season – all on the road – before the playoffs start.

“The break is absolutely huge – we’ve been challenging these guys a lot and putting pressure on them,” said the coach. “It will give them a chance to get away from the rink, focus, recharge and realize how much fun they have when they come to the rink and play this game.

“I think it will help them out down the stretch here and hopefully we can benefit from it.”

 

Manny Everett  

Times Contributor

 

The Gleichen Arena was filled with many figure skaters of all age groups from Strathmore, Bassano and Gleichen, and their families as they performed their various routines for the packed arena.

Before these performances happen there are many hours of hard work, practicing, make-up, costume buying and bundles of nerves from the skaters, parents and, of course, their respective coaches. There is a lot of hard work and a culmination of time and effort put into the performances that happen in matter of a few short minutes.

Coach Carrie Lassiter encourages her girls a few seconds before they go out on the ice with smiles and a “go do your best, you can do this.” She, along with parents waiting in the stands to see the performances of their children, holds her breath while she waits for her students perform their routines well. 

When the skaters come off the ice, she is just as encouraging to the skaters as she was when they were going out on the ice. A great coach who loves the sport, her excitement spills over into her teaching of the young ladies who dream of being figure skaters. 

Lassiter says, “All the girls skated extremely well, and seemed to all have fun. I am very proud of their hard work preparing for this event. The highlight for me was seeing the smiles on the skaters’ faces when they received their medals. The organizers all worked very hard to make this day successful. Glitter on Ice grew to 38 skaters this year and we hope to increase again next year.  Great job girls.”

Coaches Leanne Woodcock and daughter Lindsey Woodcock from the Strathmore Figure Skating Club take the sport seriously as well. Lindsey is a figure skater herself, and for many years has enjoyed the challenge of instilling the love of skating in the youngest of girls. Both ladies were proud of their girls’ accomplishments of the day and look forward to more competitions in the spring.

Times Reporter

 

Over 200 RCMP members laced up their hockey skates Jan. 25 to 27 to participate in the Red Coats for Kids charity hockey tournament. Though Strathmore didn’t have enough players to fill it’s own team, members did play on the Calgary and area team to show their support.

“The organizing committee gets to choose the charity, so this year we choose the schools in. (In) years past it has been Victim Services, or Boys and Girls Clubs stuff like that,” said Vince Olson, with the Strathmore RCMP. 

“It’s Red Coats for Kids and what better place to give money to the kids than schools, that was our thoughts anyway.”

Over $15,000 was raised for Strathmore schools, which will be disbursed between them to be used in athletic departments. Members came from all over Alberta to play in the tournament.

“It’s good for the community in terms of fundraising, you just kind of say yes we could put it on, and they say yes you can have it. No bid or anything like that, it’s just a matter of requesting the opportunity to host it,” said Olson. 

It may be a number of years before Strathmore sees the tournament return. Olson said the committee for the Alberta Tournament tries to spread it out so that every community may get a chance to host it if they choose to do so. Next year Whitecourt, Alberta will be hosting the annual tournament. 

Times Editor

 

After winning two out of three weekend games, the Wheatland Kings ultimately won the right to control their playoff destiny.

After losing a tight battle to Stettler to open the weekend, the local junior-b team defeated Mountainview and Ponoka, improving their record to 16-17-1-2 on the season.

The Kings sit in third in the South Division and need to sweep their final two games in order to remain in that position.

“We’re in complete control of our own destiny right now,” said Kings head coach Doug Murphy. “If we win our next two, we’ve got third place wrapped up. Given the run we had with injuries and the losses, that’s right where we wanted to be.

“There is a lot to be determined and it will come down to the last game of the weekend”

According to Murphy, the first three teams earn an automatic first-round bye, while the fourth and fifth place teams battle in a best-of-three series. The winner of that series would play the first place team, while the second and third place teams would meet.

However, with the fourth place Coaldale Copperheads facing the lowly Banff Bears, the Kings need to win both to solidify third place.

“We feel really good about where we are,” described the coach. “We had a tough game Saturday night (against Mountainview) that have given us difficulties before and we managed to work our way through that and come out with the result we wanted (3-2 win).”

According to Murphy, the Kings lost a tough 4-2 battle on Friday night, won at home against Mountainview, then defeated Ponoka 10-2 on Sunday afternoon.

The team is now gearing up for a tough road game against their potential first-round opponent, the Cochrane Generals on Feb. 3 (7:30 p.m.).

“They’re very well coached,” said Murphy of his next opponent. “They are very consistent in the way they play, they have a lot of very experienced players and they have a very winning tradition.

“They know what it takes to win and they do it.”

The Kings will close out the regular season on Feb. 4 (8 p.m.) when they host the Blackfalds Wranglers at the Strathmore Family Centre.

Times Editor

 

With the added motivation of playing a pair of divisional rivals, the UFA Bisons snapped a four-game losing streak by playing some of their best hockey of the New Year.

The local triple-A midget team defeated the Calgary Northstars 6-5 on Jan. 19 at the Max Bell Centre, before earning a hard-fought 2-2 draw against the Calgary Buffaloes on Jan. 22 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

“We’ve come a long way in the last two to three weeks,” said Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen. “That’s probably our most complete game (against the Buffs) since the Mac’s. It’s finally looking like our team is back, so there is definitely a lot more positives to take out of that than negatives.”

The Bisons started the pair of games with a solid win over the Northstars. In a back-and-forth battle, the Bisons pulled through with three goals in the third period to secure the win.

Josh Betinol scored once and added two assists, while Mitch McAllister chipped in with a goal and an assist. Parker Evans-Campbell, Kevin O’Rourke, Conner Bleackley and Owen Ferguson also tallied for the herd, while Tyler Wong recorded two assists.

“It was a strange game – we got up early and let them back into it,” said the coach. “We got a little undisciplined and started making soft plays. It was back and forth.

“What I liked about (that game) is every time we got scored on, we kind of bounced back and got one the next shift. We started doing some good things.”

The Bisons had revenge on their mind when they returned home to face the third-placed Calgary Buffaloes.

Tyler Wong opened the scoring with 3:51 left in the first period, when he converted a feed from Betinol and Bleackley on the power play.

Aaron Macklin extended the lead to 2-0 when he took a pass from Wong with 6:41 left in the second period.

The Bisons looked to ice the game in the third period when they had an extended four-on-three power play. However, instead of scoring the third goal, the hockey gods had other ideas.

The Bisons gave up a shorthanded breakaway, which led to a Buffaloes penalty shot, which they converted with 12:29 left. The crazy turn of events got even crazier when the Bisons covered the puck in the crease with 21 seconds left, which resulted in another successful penalty shot goal.

Despite giving up the pair of penalty shot goals, the Bisons controlled most of the game and avenged a 11-3 loss earlier in the season to the Buffs.

“It’s not like we lost to a team or tied to a team – it’s two individual plays where skilled guys made a play to help their team,” said Friesen. “The biggest lesson is you spot yourself a two-goal lead – got a couple of chances to get a few more goals and you don’t and you leave the game to chance.

“Two plays make the difference in the game.”

The Bisons will look to extend their new-found success this weekend when they host the Calgary Northstars Jan. 27 (8 p.m.) and the K of C Pats on Jan. 29 (2 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre.

 

Times Editor

 

The Wheatland Chiefs got back to their winning ways by sweeping a home-and-home series versus the Innisfail Flyers this past weekend.

The local double-A midget team defeated the Flyers 5-1 on Jan. 20 at the Strathmore Family Centre, before posting a 7-1 win on the road Jan. 22.

According to Chiefs assistant coach Len Desmet, because of the team’s success, they have to be ready to play every game right from the start.

“We’re defending champs, plus we’re fighting for first place, so every team coming in here is going to be gunning for us,” said Desmet. “We can’t afford to take a night off.

“From here on in, we have to be prepared for every game because we have provincials and playoffs not that far around the corner. You can’t take a night off because all the teams are pretty even.

“If we keep things simple, we’re a pretty good hockey team.”

The Chiefs then ignited their offence in Innisfail by scoring three goals in a span of 2:43 midway through the first period.

After the Flyers pulled closer with a goal of their own, the Chiefs responded with another four goals in the victory. 

Despite the offence firing on all cylinders, Desmet would like to see the Chiefs improve with the man advantage.

“I think we have to work on our power play a little bit,” explained Desmet. “We’re trying to be too fancy – sometimes you don’t need to be fancy … if you keep it simple good things happen.

“Too many cross-ice passes (when you need to) get it to the point and get some traffic in front.

“We’re capable of lighting it up when we need to.”

The Chiefs are now preparing for a pair of road games this weekend before returning home to host the Brooks Storm on Jan. 29 (7 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre.

Meanwhile, the Wheatland Braves extended their winning streak to three games by defeating the Foothills Bisons 6-2 on Jan. 21 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

The local double-A peewee team has out-scored their opposition 18-5 during their streak, as they head to Red Deer to battle with the TBS on Jan. 28 (12:45 p.m.).

However, lucky was not on the side of the Wheatland Warriors this past weekend. The double-A bantam team was defeated 4-2 in Hussar to Bow Valley on Jan. 20, before losing 6-0 to Cranbrook the following day.

The Warriors will look to get back in the win column when they host the Lacombe Rockets Jan. 28 (5 p.m.) and the Cranbrook Ice Jan. 29 (4:15 p.m.).

Times Editor

 

Two players averaging over a point-per-game will represent the UFA Bisons at the 23rd Annual AMHL All-Star Game in Edmonton early next month.

Captain Mitch McAllister and rookie Tyler Wong were named to the South Division roster and will take part in the all-star game festivities Feb. 5.

“It’s an honour just to be able to go to the all-star game, “ said McAllister, who was named a first team all-star. “It’s one of those things that is in the back of your mind, but you never really pay too much attention to it until maybe the weekend it gets there. You really don’t focus on it.

“That’s not really a goal coming into the year, but for sure it’s nice, it is just an honour and I’ll be happy to be there.”

McAllister, who lead the Bisons in scoring with 10 goal and 20 assists for 30 points in 27 games, was also named captain of the South Division team.

“It’s more laid-back, it’s not do-or-die like the season is and two points aren’t on the line,” said McAllister. “You go out there and do your best … I’m looking forward to going out there and having fun with the guys.”

With 12 goal and 10 assists in 20 games, Wong was also thrilled to be named to the South Division squad.

“It’s a huge honour that the Red Deer coach chose me and thinks that highly of me,” said Wong. “I’m really honoured to play with the best players in the league – that’s going to be a huge experience. I’m really excited.

“It was definitely a goal at the start of the year, but once the season started it was all about the team – I didn’t care if I made it or not, I just wanted to help the team out. 

“Since they noticed me, I’m glad that I did (get selected).”

According to Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen, both players deserved to be named to the all-star game.

“He has been Mr. Steady for us all season long,” said Friesen of his captain. “I’m glad to see that hard work pay off for a guy like Mitch. Tyler is the only 15 year old in the entire south named to his team, so it’s a huge honour and accomplishment for them.

“We know they are going to represent the program well.”

 

Manny Everett

Times Contributor

 

The Rockyford Roughnecks Tier 3 and Tier 5 novice teams hosted a home tournament with teams from Duchess, Airdrie, Indus, Didsbury and Strathmore attending on the weekend.

The stands at the arena were full as parents and grandparents alike cheered on their kids. All the teams played very well, and while the two novice teams from Rockyford didn’t win the tournament, they did manage a win or two in their respective pools. 

The finals for Tier 3 had Didsbury and Duchess playing off, with Duchess taking the win 4-3. The Tier 5 final involved the two Airdrie teams with the Airdrie Vipers taking the win. Tournament organizer Glenda Wheeler said “I am pleased with the support of everyone involved from the kids to the parents and especially the coaches who have dedicated their time and expertise to the kids and the game.”

All the kids who participated received a trophy and welcome bag and the winning teams took home the tournament banners. The tournament was deemed a success by players, coaches, and parents alike!

Times Reporter

 

Minor Hockey Week is taking place all over Canada this week. The week is a way to recognize the sport for its positive influence and benefits to the community

 

Strathmore Minor Hockey 

Strathmore Minor Hockey (SMH) has been able to remain steady with their enrollment numbers since last year. Concerns about the cost of hockey prohibiting some players from lacing up and hitting the ice are something SMH President Wayne Hansen is keeping an eye on. 

“The biggest thing for me is we want the kids involved in hockey because hockey teaches you more than just about the game of hockey. It teaches you a lot of life skills, I have a lot of friends that I still have that I grew up playing hockey with,” said Hansen.

“You make life long friendships because of that, and I think that’s why it’s very important for us to have a very strong minor hockey program in Strathmore and in every community, We’re teaching our kids how to be part of a team. 

“It’s not just about being part of a sports team, it’s about being part of a team at work as well. When they go into the work force they need to be part of a team and they need to know what it takes to be part of a team and make that team successful.”

In January SMH kids had a chance to participate in a UFA Bisons clinic and a Stabler Goal Tending Inc. goalie clinic, both of which Hansen said were successful. 

One way SMH is trying to raise funds to help supplement the costs of hockey is with a raffle. Pure Country Meats have donated the wrapping and selling of a cow. First prize and second prize is half of a beef cut and wrapped valued at $1,000, and the third prize is a hockey registration for the 2012/2013 season equal to $750.  Tickets are $2 each and the draw will be Feb. 22 and anyone interested in tickets can contact Strathmore Minor Hockey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

 

Wheatland AA

The Wheatland AA teams have been having a good year with the bantam, midget and peewee teams being in first, second and third respectively in their divisions. 

“I think we’re pretty excited about all of our teams this year, I think they are all either first or second in their divisions. We’re all real happy with the level of play, the coaching that we’re getting and the commitment that we’re getting from the parents to make it the best it can be,” said Wheatland AA President Sandy Henry.

“It’s been excellent this year I think we might have lost probably 10 or 12 or 14 games between all three teams and probably they’ve played in the neighbourhood of 60 or 70 games now. That’s been real successful for us.” 

The cost of playing hockey is something he thinks they have to struggle with every day, due to increased fuel prices other factors. Another problem for the AA is they rely on casino money, they have a casino account that they are involved with that helps them supplement ice for their teams. 

“The casino now instead of one every two years, it’s one every three years. We have to stretch that dollar another third further basically just because we don’t get the frequency of the casinos anymore. That puts pressure on the other side as well,” said Henry. 

Despite having to stretch the money further from the casinos, the annual silent auction once again went extremely well. Finding ice time can be another challenge, but Henry said they do use outside ice to supplement their Strathmore use.

 

Hussar Minor Hockey 

While one of the major challenges Hussar Minor Hockey still faces is the draw to the bigger centres, President CoreyAnn Sandum said this year they have been able to fill a novice team. 

Last year Hussar and Bassano had split the team, and while there are a few players from Bassano on the team Sandum was happy to see her community is able to completely host the team.

“Our program is just steadily improving, we have great coaches and parents, the kids are enjoying it,” said Sandum. 

Ice time may be an issue for teams playing out of Strathmore, but in Hussar and smaller communities they have it in abundance. 

Another challenge coming forward is the travel time, and that the Central Alberta Hockey league seems to keep expanding their borders. Sandum agreed there are some challenges with it, but her teams are used to having to travel. 

Hockey can teach a lot to the kids who play it, and Sandum is hoping to draw in more kids next season.

“Hope for next year is… have three teams out of Hussar with the possibility of a peewee team coming home,” said Sandum.

Sandum said team spirit is one of the biggest things she sees the kids learn from playing hockey. 

“They have to work together to set up the plays and be able to look around for their buddies to pass to and I think it teaches them respect of each other and coaches.”     

 

Rockyford Minor Hockey 

Brad Munchrath, Vice President of Rockyford Minor Hockey, wants to see minor hockey continue in his community for years to come.  

“I just want to be involved in my community and do what I can to ensure that it sticks around here for my kids,” said Munchrath. 

There are currently two novice teams and a midget team playing out of Rockyford. The two novice teams each consist of ten players a team. Munchrath said they were forced to make two really lean teams because a team can only have 17 skaters and two goalies per team. 

Like every coach and parent involved with minor hockey, Munchrath also can see the benefit kids get from playing the game. 

“The main thing is teamwork, hockey itself is just good physical activity, but it teaches you teamwork, it teaches you to lose and also how to win,” said Munchrath.

Having the opportunity to watch the kids grow and improve their skills every year is another thing Munchrath enjoys about being involved with hockey.

“It’s neat to watch from the grandstands and it’s probably even a better experience for the coaches. Some of the coaches will even follow the kids up from novice right up to midget league, and who knows from there.”

Munchrath said there are a lot of benefits to playing out of Rockyford, such as the amazing ice times, long ice times, the lower fees and the lower arena rentals.  Though he knows a lot of players go to Strathmore because of the AA and AAA teams, he said he wanted people to know there are other options even if they don’t make the team in Strathmore.   

Times Contributor

 

The Community of Gleichen will be hosting their third Annual Hockey Day in their community on Feb. 11. It is an opportunity to go out and play one of Canada’s well known sports in a non-competitive environment.

Pond hockey is just like indoor hockey but is generally played outdoors and most of the time on a lake or pond. It has over the years become synonymous with “non-competitive” or fun hockey. Pond hockey in tournaments are played four on four but when playing casually there are no set number of players on a team. There are no goalies in pond hockey, the goals can range anywhere from being regular hockey nets to people’s tennis shoes. 

Since pond hockey started the popularity has soared and official pond hockey tournaments are found across the globe. Pond hockey tournaments have raised the concept of youth pick-up hockey into a serious art form. The rink can range from any size or shape, and typically resemble a regular indoor ice hockey rink. Some pond hockey rinks use boards, however in most the surrounding snow makes a good substitute.

Registration is for individual children between the ages of 4 to 17 years old. Both male and female may register and will be on co-ed teams. Registration fees include lunch. Each child registered will be playing a total of three shinny-style hockey games, and some voluntary skills sessions will be offered during the lunch break for those who are interested.

The Gleichen Ag Society has built three outdoor rinks and will use the indoor ice surface as well to maximize fun for all the participants. Many volunteer hours have gone into this project and they hope to have another fabulous turnout this year.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m. with the games following at 9 a.m. 

For more information please contact Cara Sheppard at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call her at 403-734-3515.

Times Editor

 

The UFA Bisons remained without a win to start 2012 after losing a pair of home games this past weekend at the Strathmore Family Centre.

The local triple-A midget team was defeated 4-2 by the Calgary NW Flames on Jan. 13, before losing 3-2 to the St. Albert Raiders the following day, extending their losing streak to five games (including the Mac’s Midget championship game).

“We’re just taking shortcuts  - our intensity and attention to detail were a little bit better, but we’re still not where we need it to be,” said Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen. “Both games we had a lead, both games we had it tied 2-2 going into the third period … and we didn’t have a push back like we needed to.

“When you cheat a little bit … that is the end result.”

By starting the New Year with four straight regular season losses, the Bisons dropped to 12-9-6 on the season, essentially eliminating a chance at a first round playoff bye.

“I think we can cancel one of those (two spots) out,” said Friesen. “To be honest with you, I’m not sure we wanted one of those (byes). We’re a team that likes to play and like to get some momentum built up. You’re going to have to give your best eventually, so may as well start in the first round.”

The Bisons look to get back on track this weekend, when they play a couple of division opponents. The Herd will travel to Calgary to take on the Northstars on Jan. 19, before returning home to host the Calgary Buffaloes on Jan. 22 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

“It’s another big test. We’ve talked about this stretch run for a long time,” said the coach. “It doesn’t get any easier – we’ve got the Northstars twice, the Buffs, Red Deer, St. Albert, Leduc – those are top, top teams in this league and teams that are ahead of us in the standings. It’s a great test to see where we’re at – it is a great challenge for the guys.”