Hockey ready for another season

Taber Minor Hockey looks to be getting the upcoming 2013-2014 hockey season off on the right skate with a flurry of activity in upcoming weeks.

That includes the high-octane WHL action of the Lethbridge Hurricanes versus the Calgary Hitmen for some pre-season play at the Taber arena on Thursday.

Going on for three years now, with the net proceeds going towards Taber minor hockey, it has been a huge fundraiser.

“I think it’s been fantastic,” said Diane Sparks, president of the Taber Minor Hockey Association. “We didn’t do as well last year as we did the year before, but we still fill the arena pretty good. It’s close to 1,000 (fans), 800-plus. It’s always a good 50/50 pot. It’s a good way to kick off the hockey season.”

Tickets for the event are $10 with kids six-and-under admitted free and can be picked up at the door, Joe Orban’s skate sharpening booth at the arena or at Health Connection. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Taber arena.

Also in its third year is the Taber 3-on-3 hockey tournament which runs on Saturday, which includes three games with games starting at 9 a.m. for teams in novice, atom and peewee divisions.

“Last I heard they were in need of goalies and they were willing to accept some bantams to put in the peewee division to accommodate a few more skaters. But they definitely need goalies,” said Sparks. “Kids have enjoyed doing it. And it’s not putting a team together. It’s show up and we split you up and you have fun for the day and it’s worked well.”

Visit http://www.taberminorhockey.com or contact Alan at a.makarchuk@telus.net or 403-223-8198 to register.

For those wearing the zebra striped, Taber Minor Hockey is also hosting a referee certification clinic on Sept. 15. For all Level I and new Level II officials, there is a new online component to the clinics. Hockey University will be mandatory for all officials that are under the age of 16 and any new Level II officials that have not previously registered at that level. Each official will need to complete the online course before they are allowed to take the one-day officiating clinic in Taber that will be an one-hour on ice session.

“Everyone needs to have it every year. There’s a new format with an online pre-task they have to do before the clinic so it’s cut the clinic down to one day instead of two,” said Sparks, adding it’s a nice alternative that referees can do at their own leisure before the on-ice one day portion.

Sept. 18 features Taber Minor Hockey holding its AGM at 7 p.m. in the Green Room of the Taber Community Centre where parents with kids in hockey are encouraged to attend. Matters will be discussed relevant to the association and its players, where general positions on the board will be available.

Taber Minor Hockey warm-up camps go the weeks of Sept. 9 and Sept. 16 where tryouts for tiered teams for those wanting to tryout for ‘A’ teams commence the week of Sept. 23.

Evaluations for all initiation and novice players go Sept. 28.

Schedules and further information can be found on the Taber Minor Hockey web site at http://www.taberminorhockey.com.

“We’re hoping to have a really good year this year,” said Sparks.