AMHA MEM RIES
A weekend
to remember
E
“
very year teams enter into tournaments early as they are a hot commodity and we had our eye on a mountain getaway. We entered the Kimberley tournament before Tiering Round, it being a tier 5 tournament, where we’d started our Tiering Round. In the end we slotted in T3. After much deliberation with the coaching staff and the tournament co-ordinator, we decided to continue on with our plans to head west and take part in the tournament. The parents and kids alike took this weekend with a grain of salt. We didn’t know what we were heading into competition wise, but we did know one thing, we were going to make the most out of this time together and grow as a team. From skiing, mini sticks, sledding and pool time, there was plenty fun to be had for all! Like human nature, you always try and do your best, and although winning is always fun, winning isn’t everything. As it turned out, we ended up moving through the round robin with players trying out new positions and working on the elements of hockey that makes a team successful; communication, support, respecting the game and its participants, and so on. As we reached the final on that Sunday morning, we as a team decided it would be best if we would forgo the gold medal final and allow two teams of equal calibre to compete for the medals. Our players and parents took the news very well. We explained to our team that they have just brightened the day of 17 kids and allowed them to play for the gold. Once we returned to Airdrie each player received a token of appreciation and a letter of recognition for their hard work, dedication and sportsmanship. It’s hard not to get wrapped up in all the excitement of winning; however, we all felt we won that weekend; cruising the slopes, wiping out on the sled hill, a few frosty pints in the hot tub, hanging with friends and even sneaking in a few hockey games! That’s what it’s all about.” – Kristin Senft, parent, Atom Tier 3 Lightning
22
AIRDRIE MINOR HOCKEY 2019-2020
