Minor hockey in Drumheller has come to the halfway point in the season. The various Raptor teams are looking forward to January and getting back on the ice.
Two of the novice teams, Canalta and McDonald’s returned from a tournament in Okotoks on December 17 and 18. The McDonald’s Raptors came out on top in the tournament.
The DMHA Novice Raptors are proving to be a strong team this season.
“League wise we’re second place and we finished up a tournament in Chestemere over the holidays,” said Tony Pliva, head coach of the DMHA Raptors. “We won the main event, interestingly enough in a shootout.”
January will be a busy month for the Novice teams. Drumheller will be hosting a tournament from January 20 to 22 at the Drumheller Memorial Arena.
The Encana Atom Raptors have been having a strong season so far as well.
“We’re looking forward to getting back on the ice and facing some of the top teams,” said Jason Ewing, coach of the Encana Atom Raptors.
The Atom Raptors are currently tied for second place in the league.
“We’ve beat some of the top teams, hopefully we can keep going and get first place. We’re looking forward to the playoffs,” said Ewing.
The two Pee Wee teams, HiWay 9 and NGC, have a full schedule in January. The HiWay 9 Raptors will be participating in two tournaments in Strathmore and Brooks January 14 to 15 and from the 20 to 22.
The Boston Pizza/Western Chevrolet Bantam Raptors were busy in December prior to the holidays, playing five games, mostly on the road, and a tournament in Irvine.
The Bantam Raptors will be hitting the ice at home this weekend, January 7 to 8, hosting their own Bantam tournament at the Drumheller Memorial Arena.
The Bertram Drilling/Sports Room Midget Raptors had a busy schedule until the holidays. The team has had some struggles, but is close to getting a spot in the playoffs this season.
“We’re starting to gel as a team and trying to get the kids away from individual efforts and play as a team,” said head coach Darren Toffan. “We’re a fast team and if we keep moving we’re unstoppable.”
The coaches point out though, that despite how the teams are doing in the standings, minor hockey is about the kids learning and having fun.
“For a lot of these this is their first time playing on an organized team and they’re doing really well,” said Pliva.
“It’s my first season as a coach and it’s a lot of fun, I’m having a blast. It’s not about winning or losing,” said Curt Notland, coach of the Canalta Raptors. “The kids are having fun and that’s the important thing.”
