A Diamond in the Rough

A Diamond in the Rough

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Vegreville Bears U13-1 baseball team played against the Vegreville Bears U13-2 at Riverside Ball Diamonds on May 16.

The coaches for these teams are Scott Langkow for U13-1 and Robert Stemberger for U-13-2.

Langkow said, “We have 11 players on our roster. I believe the score was 14-9 for the other Veg team.

I think the kids are coming along, the ones that have played haven’t played for two years and then you have some that haven’t played at all. It was also tough because of the weather we started late. I think we had one practice before our league started so not having that practice time and trying to teach during games is tough. There has been a lot of improvement in the small amount of time we’ve been playing.”

Vegreville Bears U13-1 team play hardball against Vegreville Bears U13-2 team.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photos)

Vegreville Bears U13-1 team play hardball against Vegreville Bears U13-2 team.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photos)

Vegreville Jr. B Rangers Preparing for Upcoming Hockey Season

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Big news out of the Vegreville Jr. B Rangers camp.

The club has just signed its new head coach for the 2022-’23 season. Club President Joe Budinski made that announcement official on May 19 as he shook hands with Trevor Carter and officially welcomed him to his new digs at the Wally Fedun Arena.

Carter hails from Whitecourt, Alberta where he has spent the past 12 years coaching youth hockey from U7-U18 in various roles, including U13AA and U15AA. He also served as the Director of the TRAC AA Wolverines Club where his role was to re-establish the AA Program in the Whitecourt area.

Vegreville Rangers President Joe Budinski, left, shakes the hand of new head coach Trevor Carter.

(Vegreville Rangers/Submitted Photo)

His passion and ability to lead the club effectively has helped the club earn 2 Division titles & Won the KIBIHT Tournament at the U15AA level & 2 Division titles at the U18AA in the past 4 years. Trevor played most of his minor hockey in Drayton Valley as a goaltender, finishing his minor hockey with the Spruce Grove Timberwolves Midget AAA.

Trevor brings a fresh perspective and voice to the Rangers since their two year leave of absence from the North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League, (NEAJBHL) due to COVID-19 health restrictions.

The Rangers are currently recruiting players for the upcoming season and are hoping to hold try outs in September. Players must be between 18 and 21 years of age. Brandy Stefan, a Director with the Club, said there will be a league meeting on June 8 with more details forthcoming after that.

Other directors include: Colin Klassen, Ryan Warawa, Jim Nichol, Zenith Komarniski and Shauna Micklich. Members of the executive are: President Joe Budinski, Vice President Laine Stefan, Secretary Sandra Ling, and Manager Pete Ling. The Club is looking to fill the secretary position in the near future.

The Rangers are Non-Profit Junior B Hockey Club that was founded in 1974 and have been a fixture in the town of Vegreville and surrounding area for all these years. They have been a place for our minor hockey players to continue their post minor hockey careers right here in their hometown. As well players from the surrounding areas Two Hills, Mundare, Smoky Lake, Lamont, Viking and more.

When I decided to expand my coaching role this off season, I left nothing off the table which included Junior Hockey. After a short search, the Vegreville Rangers position was suddenly on my radar when I saw they were looking for someone to fill the role of Head Coach. Before long I was in front of the Executive Members for the Rangers for my interview. Fortunately for me, I was given an opportunity to head coach for this historic team.

Obviously, the expectation is that we get some wins, but the plan will be more focused on the journey. With the Rangers being away from the league the past two seasons, we have a lot of work ahead of us to build a team for this season and the future. I am truly excited and cannot wait to start putting this team together this coming fall.