sports & recreat
Game on
Okotoks minor hockey a major part of the community
By Gerry Krochak
“Our arena is an
excellent building
to watch a game
and the fans have
supported us
extremely well through my three seasons
here. If we can get past the hurdle of the
second round and get into the third or
fourth round of the playoffs, I think the
entire town would really get behind us.
They’re been there for us and I want to
reward that loyalty this season.”
For season tickets, 10-game packages or
single game ticket information (the Oilers
are a non-profit organization, so prices
are reasonable), contact the Oilers ticket
office at 403-995-2255 or log onto www.
okotoksoilers.com. OL
OMHA Operations Co-ordinator Jamie
Steer says his biggest concern is being able
to accommodate the association’s seven
leagues and age divisions from five to 18 in
the Okotoks area.
“Due to the increased enrollment in
the OMHA and the limited access to ice,
unfortunately we have had to put a cap
on the number of players accepted into
each division,” he says. “Players who were
registered last year will be guaranteed a
spot provided their registration was received
by August 15. After that, we’re going to be
accepting registrations on a first-come, first-served basis. We’re hopeful that every boy or
girl who wants to play hockey in Okotoks will
have that opportunity.“
There are plans for more ice rinks in the
Foothills M.D., which should help alleviate the
pressures of growth in minor hockey for the
future. Right now, it’s a matter of doing the
best they can with what they have — even
using outdoor practice ice.
The OMHA facilitates league play at
the high-performance level (AAA, AA),
community level (A, B, C, D) and an after-school shinny program. The Novice, Atom and
Pee Wee divisions grow by leaps and bounds
every year, while the Bantam, Midget and
Female divisions continue to get more and
more competitive.
“Okotoks has been a long-time hockey
town,” Steer says. “And the growth of the
minor hockey mirrors the growth of the
community. When families are relocating
to Alberta, a strong minor hockey
association is something that parents are
cognizant of. We field calls all the time
from families who are in the process of
relocating.
“The league has really come on through
its volunteers and through all of the people
involved. It’s a very well respected league
throughout Alberta and we want to keep
growing for the future.”
With this kind of growth, it was inevitable
that Okotoks minor hockey has started
producing players with their eyes on the
biggest prizes in the sport.
“Jeremy Colliton plays for Bridgeport
Sound in the AHL and he was called up for
16 games with the New York Islanders last
season,” Steer says. “And Tyson Sexsmith
(currently of the Vancouver Giants) is
projected as a high draft pick next year.
Every youngster who ever straps on a pair
of skates dreams of playing in the NHL
and kids who play in the OMHA are no
different.”
For updated registration info, log onto
www.okotokshockey.com or call Steer at
403-710-2213. OL
Minor sports programs, their governing bodies and volunteers are the lifeblood of many a small town, and Okotoks is no different. In fact, the Okotoks Minor Hockey Association’s biggest challenge is finding
enough ice for the thousand-plus area boys and girls with a passion to play.
