The Strathmore Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) is set to host the 2023 Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships for the U18 Tier 1 division.
The tournament starts on Friday and goes all the way through Sunday where six teams will be participating, including the host team U18 Tier 1 Strathmore Storm and they will all be pushing for a spot in the gold medal final and a chance to win the provincial crown.
Director of communications for the SMHA Kendra Milne says it is an absolute honour to host provincials after the success that the U18 team had this year.
“We are absolutely ecstatic to be hosting all these athletes who have really put so much work into their U18 year. We are hoping to put on a good show and hoping that they leave with some memorable experiences and some good competition.”
SMHA President Brett Thurston explains this tournament represents the culmination of championship seasons that have involved an incredible amount of hard work, dedication, and determination for all the players that are involved.
“The Strathmore Minor Hockey Association is proud to host this high-level tournament that is featuring some of the best of the U18 players from across the province and more specifically to recognize our host team the U18A Strathmore Storm who won the Tier 1 red banner for their central Alberta division.”
Since winning the red banner the team has been very competitive and Milne says that provincials will be no different.
“This is going to be some highly competitive hockey at a very high level. For some of these kids it could be their last minor hockey experience.”
Being on home ice will definitely be an advantage for the team as they will be playing with the excitement of having their friends and family cheer them on and push them towards that provincial crown.
“The people of Strathmore will come out in droves to support them and that just really gives them the opportunity to show the community what they have got. We certainly welcome everybody.”
The SMHA has had some incredible sponsorship when it has come to hosting provincials with the title sponsor being ATB Financial.
“We are just so happy that the community has stepped up to support this event and this really makes us one of the best places to play minor hockey in Alberta.”
The full schedule of games and updated results throughout the weekend for the U18 Tier 1 provincial championships can be found here.
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Fri, May 3, 10:00 AM
