Ringette season underway

By Brad Everett Times Contributor

Ringette is up and running for another season with Strathmore and Rockyford offering programs for players of all ages.
“Strathmore Minor Ringette has 11 registered teams this year from Active Start up to U19,” said Pam Betke, registrar with the Strathmore Minor Ringette Association.
A total of 163 players are registered which is an increase over last year’s number by approximately 20 players.
“While most of our players come from the Strathmore area, we also have players from Hussar, Standard, Rockyford and Chestermere this year,” Betke said.
Travel for the teams varies. The Active Start and U10 play their games within Zone 2, comprised of the associations in Airdrie, Indus, Cochrane, Rockyford and Strathmore.
“For our U12 and older teams we become part of the 1-2-3 league based out of Ringette Calgary, which adds Calgary teams along with Medicine Hat and Lethbridge to the other Zone 2 teams,” said Betke.
While it is too early in the season to predict how teams will be looking come zone playoffs and provincials in February/March, the U19B team’s season is off to a strong start with a gold medal finish at the Lonnie Krahn Classic in Calgary over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Strathmore Minor Ringette’s annual home tournament, the Laurie Ruppe Memorial, is set for Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2020, drawing teams from across Alberta and sometimes out of province.
As well this season, Strathmore will be hosting the U14 C provincial championships March 20-22, 2020 which will include the Strathmore U14C Ice Storm as the host team.
The Rockyford Minor Hockey and Ringette Association has three teams this year: U10, U12 and U14.