Hockey season heats up
Men's and women's minor hockey schedule tourneys, training
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, November 5, 2015
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
With fees set and registrations underway, Fort Simpson's hockey enthusiasts are readying themselves for a season full of tournaments, practices and sport clinics.
Adrien Tremblay tries to score on goalie Sheldon McKay during a friendly floor hockey game on Oct. 29. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
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The community's recreation department held its annual general meeting for the men's hockey season on Oct. 26. Participants set fees for returning players and new players. The fees includes the cost of a black and a white jersey.
Fort Simpson recreation co-ordinator Nathan McPherson said the village will be hosting a regional men's hockey tournament from Jan. 22 to 24.
"We usually get teams in from Hay River, Fort Providence and sometimes Deline, as well as two to three teams in Fort Simpson," McPherson said.
Usually, men's hockey registers between 40 to 50 players. During practices, players are divided into white or black jerseys to play against each other.
When the time comes for tournaments, players create their own teams.
Minor hockey clinic approaches
The village's recreation department will be bringing in Greg Hopf from Nov. 27 to 29 to run a regional hockey clinic for minor players.
The clinic will mirror one held last year, which also featured Hopf.
"Last year, Hopf did a great job. Everyone loved the clinic and it was really well-received," McPherson said.
Usually, the clinic includes off-ice training and two different ice times per day. Players are divided into two age groups, from five to 10 and from 11 to 16.
Minor hockey has also been considering a tournament, although dates and details have yet to be nailed down.
"We want to get minor hockey kids out to a tournament and we want to have a tournament here in Fort Simpson as well," McPherson said.
Tournament-packed season for women's hockey
Members of the Moosehide Mommas women's hockey team met Oct. 29 for their annual general meeting.
During that meeting, team members agreed to increase fees for the season.
Four tournaments are on the season's schedule, including one in Fort Simpson from Jan. 29 to 31 and the possibility of a fifth tournament in Yellowknife.
Practices take place Monday and Wednesday at 8 p.m. and Saturdays starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Moosehide Mommas will be bulking up their fundraising initiatives this year, as well as holding team building events. They will be fundraising at the upcoming Christmas Bazaar at Thomas Simpson Secondary School on Nov. 21.
Executive members will remain unchanged, with Jennifer Thistle as president, Kristen Morrison as vice-president and Kelley Andrews-Klein as treasurer.
