By Peter Watts /
Christmas means too much food, presents under the tree, and holidays on ice.
And there’ll be no shortage of the latter this holiday season.
Let’s start with the 30th edition of the Mac’s Tournament which begins on Boxing Day and rumbles through to the final at the Saddledome on New Year’s Day.
“In this, the 30th year of the Mac’s, we’ve decided to go back to basics,” said tournament chairman Neil Robertson.
“Remember that this tournament started out as an opportunity for the Calgary teams to stay home and play quality opposition. And I think they’ll find a lot of quality in the teams that are visiting this year.”
Selection committee chairman Wayne Sinclair said there were plenty of teams to choose from.
“We had 66 applications for spots and we’ve tried to pick the most competitive lineup of teams,” Sinclair said.
“I think the higher dollar has chased away the US and Europeon teams this year. Only the Russian team, that was here last year, is returning.
“We don’t have any teams from Ontario east and I think the cost is a major factor. What we do have are five teams from British Columbia. That’ll be great for the Western Hockey League scouts.
“I think it’s an indication that Hockey Canada’s development model, which calls for younger players to play with their peers rather than be promoted too quickly, is working. Certainly, in the last three years, B.C.’s midget hockey program has gotten much stronger.”
There will be 25 boys teams and 15 girls teams at this year’s Mac’s.
The girls division has been expanded by three teams and the girls will play their whole competition at Max Bell II.
“It’s going to make it a lot easier logistically,” notes Robertson. “And since the starting times of games will be staggered, people who come to watch a boys game at Max Bell can check out what’s happening next door.”
While that’s going on, the World Junior Hockey Tournament will be dominating television screens, especially during the early morning hours.
Canada’s first game will be on Boxing Day against the host Czech Republic team. It’ll start at a reasonable hour (noon Mountain Time).
Between Dec. 29 and Jan. 8, the World U-17 tournament is to be staged in London, Ont.
Defencemen Steve Chaffin and Dylan Olsen and forward Justin Maylan are the Calgary players on Team Pacific, which draws its roster from B.C. and Alberta.
Chaffin plays for Seattle and Maylan plays for Moose Jaw in the WHL.
Olsen is playing for the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Chase Schaber and Matt McKenzie of the Calgary Hitmen are also part of Team Pacific.
And as December gives way to January, the inaugural women’s World U-18 championship takes over Father Bauer and Norma Bush arenas Jan. 7-12.
“It’s the first time for this one, and I’m not really sure what to expect,” reports Mel Davidson, who’ll be head coach of the Canadian team. “We’ve had a good look at players from across the country and picked 20 that I expect will be a really competitive team.
“I do know one thing. These girls are wonderful role models for all the younger girls who might be thinking about taking up the game. So I hope we’ll see lots of them at our games.”
Cremona’s Samantha Watt, who plays defence for the Calgary Oval X-treme in the Western Women’s Hockey League, made the Canadian squad.
Canada’s first game will be Monday, Jan. 7 at 7:45 p.m. at Father Bauer, against the Czech Republic.
So, if you’re thinking about stocking stuffers for Christmas morning, a tournament pass for either one of the Calgary events might be just the present from Santa that anyone can enjoy. |
