Drumheller Minor Hockey is at the midpoint of their season and hockey players from Tykes to Midgets are performing well on the ice. More importantly, they are learning and having fun.
    The Canalta Novice B Raptors are playing well in a busy schedule, and have been in some high scoring games. They found success versus Oyen early in the season.
     Virtually every player on the team has earned points for the Raptors, Abram Sharpe is leading the team with 27 goals and 31 points.
    The McDonalds Novice A Raptors are also doing well, sporting a 5-1-1 record, finding victories versus Olds, Carstairs, Cochrane, and Didsbury. Maddux Pears is leading the team with 27 goals and six assists for 33 points.
    The Encana Atom B Raptors are playing well. So far this season they have a 6-3 record and have won their last four games. They earned wins versus Kneehill, Rockyford, Cremona, Olds, and Didsbury.
    Tyson Chambers is leading the team with 22 points and Kayden Bitz and Reid Macfarlane each have 16 points.         Every player on the roster has contributed points.
    The Yavis Atom A Raptors are also having a great season with a 6-0-1 record with outstanding goaltending from Brandon Williams with a 2.43 goals against average. Chase Mackey has 20 goals and 11 assists, Paxton Olson had 12 goals and seven assists and Ryan Schrock had seven goal and 11 assists. Every player has contributed points.
    The Hi-Way 9 Peewee B Raptors have a 5-2 record with wins over Sylvan Lake, Innisfail, and Stettler. Cody Hunt is leading the team with 12 goals and five assists. Terry Martin has nine goals and three assists and Seth Walker had seven goals and five assists.
    The NGC Peewee A Raptors are battling in a tough Division, but have notched a win over Hanna. Tanner Moulton is leading the team with four goals and four assists, and Kerric Chambers has six goals and one assist.
    The Boston Pizza Western Chev Bantam Raptors are sporting a winning 3-2-1 record and are getting a balanced attack with all players earning points. Tyler Boyko leads the way with six goals and four assists for 10 points, James Zuccatto and Kyle Gridley both have four goals and five assists.
    The Mastel Transport Midget Raptors are having a very successful season with a 5-2-1 record. They have wins over Oyen, Kneehill, Delburne, and 3Cs, (Consort, Castor Coronation).  Ryan Hems has nine goals and three assists and Tyler Cardomone has seven goals and five assists.

    There will be some great hockey action in the valley come March as the Boston Pizza Bantam Raptors will be hosting provincials.
    Lyle Caweizel, president of Drumheller Minor Hockey told The Mail the ATB Financial Bantam C Championship will be played at the Drumheller Memorial Arena on March 18 and 19.
    He says they are already working on planning the event.  He believes it has been a couple of years since Drumheller has hosted the provincials.
    He explains there are many options for the committee as to what kind of events they can plan during the tournament. Right now, they are looking at forming the committee and one of the first duties will be securing sponsors. One idea is a market.
“We are looking at having a market with some of the vendors in town over at the BCF. We haven’t formally planned anything yet, but we are batting some ideas around to make it a good weekend for Drumheller,” said Caweizel.
    There will be 10 teams competing in the tournament. And while the home team gets a by, the Raptors are planning to compete in provincial playdowns. If they are successful, the second place team will also qualify.
    The Bantams are having a strong season and so far are sporting a 3-2-1 record in league play.