U18AA Taber Golden Suns shine with recent tournament win 

Times Photo by Meg Noguchi. TEAM EFFORT: The U18 Taber Golden Suns played against CBHA Rangers at the Taber Ice Arena in October.

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s a team effort; and, under the direction of head coach Lynn Degenstein, the U18AA Taber Golden Suns are celebrating a major tournament win.

“I started coaching after I finished playing hockey in 1999 or 2000. After I quit playing, I was approached by quite a few parents asking if I would get involved in coaching their kids’ hockey team,” says Degenstein. “I thought it was a good way to stay involved in the game as well as give back to the community for all the help and opportunities given to me when I was a player.”

Degenstein continues, “Coaching, in my opinion, is an opportunity to teach athletes life lessons through the successes and failures of sport, guiding athletes through the ups and downs they face. Helping them become better athletes and individuals is very rewarding; coaching has become my favourite hobby!”

How has the season been so far? Degenstein explains, “Our season has been up and down as the team grows and develops. U18 can be a challenging level as the team is composed of 15, 16, and 17 year old players, all at different stages of strength and development. The players on our team are easy to coach and eager to learn. They are very respectful, so it has been extremely fun to guide them throughout the season.

“I have coached these players for a couple years in a row now. The previous couple seasons we didn’t have the successes in the win column we are having now. The other teams in the league are usually comprised of 17 year old players, so there was a considerable difference in size and ability. The players have really worked hard at practice and games, stuck with the program, and grown as individuals and as a team. They have put in the work required and as a result, are winning more hockey games. The players deserve any success they have this season!”

This hard work led Degenstein to consider the U18AA Taber Golden Suns for a major tournament.

“The Revelstoke tournament is very competitive and challenging,” Degenstein says. Teams from all over Alberta and BC attend. I chose to enter our team into that tournament because I knew they were ready for that level of competition, as well as to take advantage of the team bonding and team building aspect. The tournament is early in the season so it also gives the coaching staff the opportunity to take the team on the road and spend 3-4 days together. We get to work on player and team development away from regular league play.”

The Golden Suns were indeed ready, and they won the tournament.

“Winning the tournament was extremely meaningful for the team,” shares Degenstein. “It was a much deserved reward for all the work the players had done this season, as well as the previous years.”

 With gratitude, Degenstein concludes, “The support this team receives from its parent group and local fans is phenomenal! Home games in Taber are the players’ and coaches’ favourite. The energy the fans bring to the game can be felt on the ice and bench. Players want to bring their best effort to those games. The excitement to score a goal or win a game is so much extra when it is a home game. The team really wants to do its best in front of the home crowd.”

Don’t miss out on the action! Catch a home game and cheer on your local team.