Hockey players in the valley are on their Christmas break after completing the first half of the season, playing hockey and learning the game.
The U11 T3 Drumheller Wiart Dirtworks Raptors are playing strong hockey and have a 5-1-1 record. They have claimed victories over Airdrie, Didsbury, Crossfield and Cochrane. They have split with Cremona and tied Crossfield. They have seen some great individual performances, including Isabelle Gross who is leading the team with 12 points. Liam Wiart has racked up 11 points.
The U11 T5 Ramada Raptors are also having a great season and are undefeated with an 8-0 record. Lewis Leavitt leads all players with 35 goals and six assists. McCoy Mulgrew has racked up 36 points with 25 goals and 11 assists and Stryker Phillips has 17 goals and eight assists.
The U13 2 Home-Town Realty Raptors are playing strong hockey in a competitive league, picking up wins over Brooks and Indus. Jasper O’Dwyer leads the team with seven goals and one assist for eight points. Spencer Holeman has seven points with three goals and four assists.
The U13 T4 Canalta Raptors are another undefeated Raptor team with a 7-0 record. Levi Merrill leads all scorers with 22 goals and four assists. Nikolas Hewitt has 18 points coming off 15 goals and three assists.
The U15 T3 Western Chevrolet Raptors are playing strong hockey and have a 5-4 record, with wins over Cochrane, Camrose and the Thunderstars. Adrian Candelaria has 16 points from 12 goals and four assists and Kayden Bitz has 13 points with a balanced six goals and seven assists.
The U18 T3 React/ DT Fire Raptors are playing .500 hockey with a 3-3-1 record, with wins over Red Deer and Stettler. Their one tie came at the hands of Hanna. Tanner Moulton has nine points off two goals and seven assists, and Gavin Olsen has eight points. The top scorer is Kerric Chambers with 5 goals.
There’s still lots of hockey left for the local teams as the schedule ramps back up in January.

Nine members of Drumheller’s local swim club, CBAC, made a splash at the Cascade Sandy Ferris Age Group Challenger, December 9 - 11.
Grady McGougan, 16, competed in seven events and the finales in all events. The highlight for Grady, and the club, was a gold medal he received in the 50 m Breaststroke.
“As a coach, seeing your swimmers get new best times is very fulfilling. Seeing them make finals is a thrill. And seeing them win gold is just plain mind-blowing. We experienced it all at this meet. The whole town should be proud of our team. I sure am,” said Grady’s coach, Morgan Syversten.
Grady also competed in 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, and 200m Individual Medley (IM).
Both Cooper O’Dwyer, 10, and Hayden Peever, 12, competed in 100m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, and 50m Breaststroke.
Andi Calon, 15, and Marlee McGougan, 13, swam 7 events - 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke, 50m Butterfly, and the 200m IM. Andi finalled in 50m Breaststroke.
Rowan Geissberger, 11, Lalina Ram, 12, Suvera Ram, 10, and Xyza Yap, 11, competed in 4 events - 100m Freestyle, 50m Breaststroke, 100m Backstroke, and 100m Butterfly.
Suvera finaled in the 50m Breaststroke events and finished in 16th place.
“I love to see the look of accomplishment and confidence on my swimmers’ faces after they swim an event. Some of them swam the 50m Butterfly for the first time at this meet. I like to challenge them to get out of their comfort zones and try new events,” commented head coach, Brenda Davies.
CBAC will next be competing in the Puglsey’s Plunge meet in Calgary on January 21, 22.