New hockey gear may be a timely gift this Christmas.
The Whitehorse Minor Hockey Association is hoping to give atom and peewee players early opportunity to try their newest sticks and skates at a, possibly international, tournament this holiday season.
The Holiday Classic is set to take place December 27 to 30 in Whitehorse with teams invited from BC and Alaska, but so far no outside team has confirmed its intention to play.
“We’re going to give it until the end of October,” said John Grant, president of Whitehorse Minor Hockey Association. “We are hoping to get six teams. We’ve floated it out there, let a couple of our American neighbours know about it.
“Kiana, Alaska, has expressed an interest in coming to play, so even if we don’t have a tournament, we’re going to see if we can get a couple teams in.”
Because of the high level of hockey they are hoping for, organizers plan for Whitehorse to be represented by the rep team the Mustangs, but that may change in the future.
“It’s a Tier 3 tournament, so in the peewee it’s full contact,” said Grant. “We thought we’d just try it with (the Mustangs) first.
“We have enough ice booked to do it and I’ve been insured there’s enough referees,” he added.” (Tom Patrick)