Alberta Cup returns

Times Reporter  

 

A tradition since 1986 for second-year bantam hockey players, the Alberta Cup will be coming back to Strathmore for a second time from April 24-27, and tournament co-chair Wayne Hansen is encouraging local businesses to advertise their stores and restaurants as sponsors.

“The Alberta Cup is going to bring probably a couple thousand people to town, and they’re going to need places to eat, and they’re going to want to do some shopping,” he said.  “We want to get as many as the local businessew in there as we can.”

One of the main sponsors of the tournament is the Western Hockey League, which has its draft the following week of the Alberta Cup.

“This is the last chance for all these scouts to get to these draft eligible players,” Hansen said. “It was a huge event last year. The building was absolutely packed from morning to night. It was hard to find a seat. You’ve got to remember, there’s between five and seven scouts from every Western Hockey League team. On top of that, you’ve got the parents and the spectators.”

Though no Strathmore boys were involved last year, there are a few hopefuls this year to make the South Zone team. Tryouts will be from March 28-30.

“It’s some of the best hockey you’ll see,” Hansen said. “It’s the top second-year bantam players from all of Alberta. The games are usually very competitive.”

Eight teams – and a total of 160 participants – will compete for their zone during a round robin, and will each play at least one playoff game.

The tradition may continue in Strathmore for 2015 as well.

“Between us and Hockey Alberta, we may have an option to take it for a third year,” Hansen said. “Strathmore is one of the smallest communities that it was ever given to.” 

If interested in volunteering with the Alberta Cup, contact Wayne Hansen at volunteers@smhockey.com