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Your top Bonnyville Nouvelle sports stories for 2019

YIR SPORTS

There was plenty to choose from when it came to local sports coverage.

Here are the stories that made this year's list.  

1. Boser steps into UFC octagon

Robynne Henry

Bonnyville Nouvelle

Last year saw Bonnyville-native Tanner Boser lacing up his gloves for his debut in the UFC.

In June, it was announced that the local heavyweight fighter had signed a contract with the UFC and would be stepping into the octagon for the first time against Giacomo Lemos in July.

Boser told the Nouvelle in June he believed his 16 victories out of his 22 professional fights would give him an edge over his opponent.

“I’ve fought a lot of the best guys in the world in Russia, and he hasn’t fought anybody at the caliber of people I’ve been fighting for the last three years,” he said. “I’m not discounting him at all... He’s a good all-around fighter, and I expect it to be a good fight. But, I think the fact that I’ve been in deep water before, and I don’t think he has, that’s going to play to my advantage.”

Unfortunately for Boser, Lemos tested positive for an illegal substance the night before the match and the fight was cancelled.

The six-foot-two, 249-pound fighter was disappointed with the news. 

“My coaches were like, ‘you put in a lot of work, but it didn’t go anywhere. You got better, you’re still going to retain those skills,’ which is true. But, when you just kill yourself doing cardio and crazy workouts to peak at a certain time and then it all goes down the drain because you’ve got to redo it, that sucks,” he exclaimed in September.

It wasn’t until the fall when Boser got his second chance in the UFC octagon against Daniel Spitz, where he walked away with the victory. 

 


2. Fighter jets hit the field for inaugurak season

Robynne Henry

Bonnyville Nouvelle

The first year the Cold Lake Fighter Jets took to the field was a success, regardless of the outcome. 

It was Damen Schaub, Cold Lake-native and Fighter Jets president, who wanted to bring an Alberta Football League (AFL) team to the area after the Lloydminster Vandals folded following 15 seasons. 

“Our league will run during the summertime, and I know fields don’t generally get used very much in the summertime... I kind of think there’s not enough men’s recreational sports around the area,” he said in March.

Their first training camp in May saw players coming from across the region to see if they had what it takes to don the Fighter Jets jersey.

Head coach Chris McKenna was blown away by the talent he saw on the field.

”I’m very happy with the numbers. Apparently there’s other guys that couldn’t come and there’s a lot of talent out here. This football is good football. The people that are going to come out and watch it are really going to enjoy it,” he exclaimed during the spring camp. 

The team hit the field for the first time on May 25 for their home opener at the Thomas Varughese Memorial Field, defeating the Airdrie Irish 27-6.

Linebacker Jayden Keichinger said it was amazing to see the stands full of fans during the May 25 game. 

”I like the Cold Lake community behind all of us, building the field, and seeing all the fans out. It’s awesome to see all the support behind us.” 

After a successful season with seven wins and one loss, Cold Lake’s dream of winning the league championship was cut short in August after the AFL announced on the team wouldn’t be competing in playoffs, stating they had found the Fighter Jets had “contravened the Alberta Football League Compensation Act.”

It was alleged that two players were paid by another member of the team for their flights to Alberta, which goes against the AFL rules and regulations.

Although the Cold Lake team fought the decision, the Fighter Jets didn’t get their spot in playoffs and the two players were suspended for the 2020 season.

When speaking to the Nouvelle about the events in August, Schaub thanked their fans for their sympathy and for the support from the community. 

 


 

3. Panthers having record-breaking season

Robynne Henry

Bonnyville Nouvelle

Nobody can catch up with the the Lakeland Panthers Bantam AA.

 The team, which consists of players from throughout the area, remains undefeated with a standing of 20-0. They’re currently sitting at the top of the Northern Alberta Hockey League (NAHL) with 40 points, five more than the second-ranked team.  

Head coach Darcy Skarsen told the Nouvelle in November he believes the team gets their edge from how deep their roster goes.

“We’ve got 10 forwards, six defencemen, and two goalies that I feel 100 per cent confident playing at any given time. I can pair any line against any team, and I don’t think a lot of teams can say that. I really think we have three top lines, where most teams only have one top line.”

He added, “Our motto this year for these guys is a good offence is the best defence. We’re spending a lot of time in the offensive zone, which doesn’t allow a lot of time for the defence side.”

The success the Panthers have seen on the ice this season has made other teams take notice.

“I think we’ve got a big target on our back because we’re winning so much,” noted defenceman Zachary Lapointe after the team beat the Parkland Athletic Club (PAC) Saints 23-3 at the R.J. Lalonde Arena on Nov. 24. “I think we’re up for the challenge though.”

A number of the members of the team are leading when it comes to points, including Lapointe and centre Ben Skarsen. 

Right now, Skarsen said the Panthers are just focusing on the season and heading to the league championship game.

Skarsen stressed that without their experienced players, the team never could have accomplished what they have so far. 

“It’s a group of boys I’ve had the pleasure to work with for the last eight seasons, and now it’s just watching them put it all together in this second year bantam. Everything’s going well. We have a solid team from one to 16, both of our goalies, our parents’ group, everyone is just putting in a complete effort. There’s lots to be excited for, and lots to look forward to.”


 

4. Roping a spot at the Clgary Stampede

Meagan MacEachern

Bonnyville Nouvelle

Three local cowboys hit the dirt for the Calgary Stampede in July. 

The Solid Earth Geotechnical Team, made-up of 11-year-old Griffin Purdy, 11-year-old Mason Tetreau, and 12-year-old Carter Shideler, wrestled into third place with a best time of 7.5-seconds in the wild pony race 14 and under category during the Calgary event July 10 to 13. 

While Shideler and Purdy had participated at the Stampede previously, it was a whole new experience for Tetreau. 

“It was really fun participating in front of a big crowd,” Tetreau, the team’s anchor, told the Nouvelle following the event.

“It’s one of the biggest rodeos in the world,” added team mugger, Purdy. “It gives you a little bit of confidence.”

The local boys were up against some of Alberta’s best, facing seven other teams over the course of three days, including their Edmonton-area rivals: the Black Top Paving Team. 

After a busy summer training and taking part in rodeos across the province, the trio felt ready for their shot at the Stampede. 

“You have to practice a lot, and do the best you can all of the time. If you make one little mistake, you probably won’t get a time,” noted Tetreau.


 

5. Winter Games hosted in the Lakeland

Meagan MacEachern

Bonnyville Nouvelle

In March, hundreds of seniors from across the province descended on Cold Lake for the Alberta 55-plus Winter Games. 

Over 900 athletes took part in either hockey, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, bowling, or curling from       Feb. 28 to March 3. 

Events were held at Kinosoo Ridge, the City of Cold Lake, and Bonnyville. 

City Mayor Craig Copeland, who was chair for the Cold Lake Alberta 55-plus Winter Games organizing committee, said in March the games were a chance to showcase the area. 

“Who knows, maybe some of the seniors will come back and pay a second visit because of where we are in the Lakeland area,” he expressed. 

Cold Lake jumped at the opportunity to host the games after being approached about the possibility. 

Activities director for the local organizing committee Bob Lamoureux explained how due to the facilities being right in their own backyard, Cold Lake was the perfect fit. 

In fact, aside from the alpine skiing at Kinosoo Ridge, and the utilization of the Bonnyville Curling Club, all of the events were hosted either in Cold Lake or at        4 Wing.

“Everything is here and meets the needs of Alberta 55. It was really an easy fit,” Lamoureux added.

There were 12 events that were held, but it was Canada’s classic winter sport that was the most popular. 

In total, 25 hockey teams consisting of over 350 seniors faced off at the Cold Lake Energy Centre.

Curling was the second most popular choice, followed by bowling, and pickle ball. 

Scrabble, Euchre, Snooker, creative writing, and arts and crafts were among the other options for athletes throughout the multi-day games. 

Lamoureux said, “You can tell from any age group, they’re very serious about this and we have to believe it’s as important to them as if they were young adults... They’re doing it for them.”

Allan Elliot, an 85-year-old alpine ski participant agreed age is just a number. 

He encouraged more seniors to sign-up. 

“We need more participants. Just because people get a little older doesn’t mean they should quit.”

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