Back (l-r) Randi Gill, Jeff Paarup (Head Coach), Nate Faubion, Shaun Pliva, Phil McCluskey (Asst. Coach), Paul Richard (Asst. Coach), Karie Drouin (Manager), Rowan McCluskey, Hudson Tucker, Jay Mulgrew (Asst. Coach), Tony Pliva (Asst. Coach). Front (l-r) Owen Frizzell, Daxton Mulgrew, Hunter Dayton, Brandon Mastel, Nathan Dobell, Holden Tucker (goalie), Meah Richmond, Ethan Robertson (goalie), Jesse Paarup, Chantelle Richard. Missing is Charli Calon
Drumheller’s Encana Atom Raptors have won their division title this year.
The Atom Raptors played Crossfield on Saturday, March 22, winning 4-2 to take the best of three series and win the Atom Tier 6 banner at Drumheller’s Memorial Arena.
“It was pretty special for the kids,” said coach Jeff Paarup.
“The banner was special because we truly played as a team. The kids improved so much this year. They really played for each other and supported each other.”
Paarup said he believes his team was the best team in their division.
The Atoms aren’t resting yet. They’re still practicing, busy with more games to wrap up their hockey season.
The team heads to the Tournament of Champions Friday, March 28, playing their first game in Innisfail.
The Atom/Novice tournament is played in various arenas over the weekend in the Red Deer Area.
Next week, the Atom Raptors have an exhibition game scheduled. The Atoms are playing a visiting Czechoslovakian team, who were in Calgary at a tournament, wanting to visit up here to see the dinosaurs, and contacted coach Paarup.
The exhibition game with Czechoslovakia is Wednesday, April 2, 6:15 p.m. at Drumheller Memorial Arena.
Coach Paarup said his team is excited to meet and play the visitors, especially after the Olympics.
