This weekend, St. Paul peewee and midget, and Mallaig midget hockey teams will head to provincials in Hanna, Drumheller, and Caroline. The teams’ voyages are a testament to hard work over the year and the dedication of coaches, managers, and parents. The upcoming provincial bouts to occur this weekend are a sign of the strength and athleticism of the community and the youths travelling to compete and represent the region at the provincial level.
The Journal congratulates the efforts of the region's young athletes. Being a hockey player is no easy task. It requires many hours spent driving to host communities for tournaments and regular season games. It requires dedication to fitness and a healthy lifestyle - including multiple practices every week and games nearly every weekend. On the ice, the demands grow even greater - with parents and coaches hoping and depending on the skaters on the ice to deliver a great performance. Of course strong competition from other communities doesn’t make their jobs any easier.
That three local hockey teams are headed to provincials shows that St. Paul and Mallaig have something great to offer in sport, and that the people behind the scenes are doing something right.
While we do not know the results of hockey provincials this weekend, we are sure competing teams have made the community proud.
Other local athletes competed this year in junior B teams from Saddle Lake, St. Paul, Cold Lake, and Lloyminster. With the Cold Lake Ice and the Lloydminster Bobcats duking it out in the finals this year, having athletes from the local area on those teams is something to be proud of. The accomplishment speaks to the talent of the athletes and the support of the community for sport. With the Cold Lake Ice taking the series in five games against the Bobcats, we congratulate the efforts of St. Paul area players who made it to the finals on both teams.
Strong athleticism is not unique to hockey locally, as local teams have also faired well in basketball. With Glendon junior girls and boys taking league finals on home turf and Ashmont senior boys and Glendon senior girls taking league finals, school sports are helping athletes develop their athletic potential to the fullest.
Two other local athletes came home with gold from the North East Alberta Track provincials recently, while others placed well in competitions – more proof that this region is exploding with athletic talent.
We salute the efforts of all local athletes and their supporters who help them achieve their goals in sport.
