â–º Listen Live

“It’s all about high calibre hockey”: Junior Steelers Bantam Elite host provincials

A Lloydminster female hockey team has won the bid to host the 2020 Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships this month.

The Lloydminster Junior Steelers Bantam Elite female hockey team is made up of players from the North-East such as Kitscoty, Irma and Wainwright. The Lloydminster Jr Steelers (14-11-1) is made up of 2005 and 2006 born females.

Director of hockey operations Ryan Sklapsky believes hosting provincials will have a different meaning for all the females. With the 2005 born females being able to carry momentum from this year’s tournament into next year and the 2006 born players having their last bantam hockey games.

“You never know when you are going to be able to qualify for provincial championships. To be able to host in your own centre with your friends, family and other guests is a cool opportunity.”

The bantam league is made up of six teams from the north and six teams from the south. During provincials on March 19 to 22nd, half of the north teams and two of the southern teams will be competing in Lloydminster.

Female hockey looks to shine in the Border City with the upcoming provincial games being hosted for the first time in Lloydminster for the bantam category. The best female athletes will also be showcased next year as Lloydminster Midget AAA Steelers hosts the Esso Cup for the first time.

“We’re hoping the bantam elite championship and the Esso Cup in 2021 will give a lot of girls that are in the younger age groups a good chance to see the calibre of hockey that needs to be played in Lloydminster and provide them with an opportunity to see what other teams are doing in Alberta.”

With Hockey Alberta rotating who hosts the tournament every year, Skylapsky says the organization knew it was coming to one of the six teams in the north.

He says Lindsay Hines and Cori Eaton, team managers, prepared all the information needed for the bid on November 4th, 2019 with Hockey Alberta accepting the big on December 2nd. The host organizing committee, featuring parents of the players, is preparing for when the guests arrive for the tournament.

“It has been a real collaborative effort between the parents on the Junior Steelers team in order to host this championship and have a quality event that Lloydminster minor hockey and the city could be proud of.”

The 2020 Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships will take place at the Civic Centre from March 19th to 22nd. The bantam elite playoffs begin this weekend with the Steelers hosting the St. Albert Chargers at 7:30 p.m. at the Servus Sports Centre.

Tre Lopushinsky
Tre Lopushinsky
It's Tre "the Giant Employee", doing that evenings/weekends on 106.1 The Goat. I am bringing my overall weirdness to the earholes of Lloydminster. I know this guy other guy named Tre Lopushinsky who does news. He's a real professional, informing Lloydminster on what's going on.
- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Town of Wainwright has lowest cost of living in Alberta

Overall for 2024, on all items, Wainwright comes in at 92.5 meaning its about eight per cent cheaper to buy something in Wainwright compared to Edmonton. Lloydminster comes in at 94.6, meaning prices on average are about two per cent more expensive than Wainwright.

Road expansion for Cenovus Energy Hub begins July 15

If your regular commute takes you along 40 Avenue, from July 15 you will have to adjust that as Lloydminster road crews will lead road upgrades near the soon to be completed Cenovus Energy Hub.

Grace United cancels Sunday service following small fire

In the aftermath of the minor fire at Grace United Church, Lloydminster on Thursday July 3, Sunday service has been cancelled as the church deals with cleanup.

Lloydminster fire crews put out minor fire at Grace United Church

A minor fire at Grace United Church in downtown Lloydminster engaged the efforts of Lloydminster fire crews on Thursday, July 3.

Parade Marshals announced for Lloyd Ex

With the Lloyd Ex Fair celebrating 120 years, the prestigious role of the Parade Marshals to herald the start of the summer festival are Terence Bexson of Marshall and Lyle & Alison Lee of Lloydminster.
- Advertisement -