By Trevor Kenney /
The success of hockey at the minor levels in Lethbridge is best reflected in the success of their representative-level programs. The city has seen its AA and AAA teams increase their expectations and results over the last few years and much of that success can be pinned down to efforts at the minor hockey programs. Victories at the Midget Prince Albert Mintos tournament, provincial and league titles at AA and AAA Midget and Bantam levels all are testaments to the efforts of minor hockey coaches, volunteers and executives.
Novice
The Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association’s director of competition Geoff Oster, whose son Josh plays Novice hockey in the city, knows it all starts here and he credits not just his coaches but also the community-minded individuals who lend their hockey expertise to the youngest of players.
“We’ve got guys like [University of Lethbridge Pronghorns’ coach] Greg Gatto, [former WHLers] Dino Caputo, Jason Ruff, Corey Lyons, a guy like Bruce Bell and these guys offer clinics and have come out to practice at various times and that really helps these young kids,” said Oster.
It helped the Brian Moser Sutton Sharks take gold at the internation Canada/U.S. Challenge Cup tournament in Whitefish in February.
Atom
Numbers are up and so is the competitive level, but the association’s focus is promoting skill development and enjoyment.
Led by a yeoman’s effort from LMHA coaching director Toby Boulet, the Atom squads have been instrumental in maintaining players’ interest. Atom, said Oster, is the last step before representative teams and the next level.
The Atom A Ramada Flames championship in Kimberley and a title in Stettler by the Lethbridge Police Service Blues point to the health of this age group.
Peewee
The AA Val Matteotti Eagles won the provincial SCAHL crown, and Oster said winning teams there pays off throughout the association.
“We need teams to be playing well and winning, not because that’s the bottom line or anything like that,” he said. “But because it means we’re keeping kids interested and passionate about the game and that pays off for them in ways beyond hockey.”
Bantam
The Stubbs Pharmacy Oilers took the Spud League title and each year, AAA and AA coaches have tough decisions to make when sending kids back to house leagues.
The Lethbridge Blackhawks, who lost the league to the Oilers, are in Vermilion this weekend to try for the A provincial title.
Midget
The Lethbridge Hockey Hounds Flames had a rough ride at provincials, but were 29-9 during the year.
The LMHA didn’t tier its Midget teams this year, and Oster said the decision paid off in increased registration numbers and more players staying with the game.
“Typically, you lose players at that age but we managed to hold on to those kids, and we were right there when it came to provincials.”
Female
Lethbridge’s biggest splash has come in the female category, where the association has seen the Bantam B Hurricanes claim provincial gold in Irma, the Midget A Blaze representing Zone 5 in Olds and the Midget B Predatorsin Vauxhall.
The Peewees are heading to Olds as well. Numbers were so high, some players were returned to their home associations. |
