Athabasca’s young hockey players had lots of fun (and success) this past winter.
The Athabasca and District Minor Hockey Association (AMHA) has wrapped up another season on the ice, and it won’t soon be forgotten by any of the players or their parents, not to mention coaches and volunteers.
“It was a very positive year,” said AMHA president Darcy Tangedal. “Hockey is growing in Athabasca. I’m really happy with where it’s going.”
Athabasca iced a number of teams in all age groups this season, and all of them had their moments in the spotlight throughout the winter. Some went farther in their leagues and playoffs than others, but all represented their hometown well both here and across the province.
The Midget A Hawks won their league championship, and the Midget B Hawks finished a strong season in mid-March. The Bantam A’s went all the way to the provincial championships and made it to their league finals.
The Bantam B Hawks also went to their league finals and came within striking distance of a trip to provincials themselves.
The Peewee A Hawks won their year-end tournament to finish on a high note. That team, and the two Bantam teams, had to work together to get through the year.
“They had some very small teams, and struggled with injuries. There was a lot of sharing of players to make it all work,” said Tangedal. “It benefited everybody, because everyone gets more ice time.”
The Peewee B team was comprised of kids who were having a great time playing the sport this year.
“They all seem to be progressing well.”
The Atom A’s won their league in a series over Boyle that went down to the final game. The Atom B’s enjoyed a fun season before being knocked out by Wabasca.
The novice players all progressed well, especially the goaltenders, according to the league president. And the pre-novice teams were huge, an encouraging sign for the future as more young kids are entering the sport.
“We’re hoping for there to be three novice teams next year,” said the AMHA president.
All of the kids, from pre-novice to midget, will gather at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex on April 24 at 7 p.m. for the yearly awards ceremony.
“We’ll run through the highlights and lowlights of hockey.”
Then on April 25 (also at the Multiplex at 7 p.m.) the AMHA will hold its Annual General Meeting, where a number of positions will need to be filled for the coming year.
By then winter should have passed, and spring and summer sports will have their time in the sun; but nobody will forget hockey season.
