A few local hockey players are looking to earn a spot on the Team Alberta U16 roster this fall.
The Alberta Cup Hockey Tournament was held in Red Deer on April 24.
Team Alberta Red took gold with local players Hudson Pineda on defence, and Nolan Ilsley and Max Mullen as forwards.
Team Alberta Green, with forward MacLane Tetarenko, defenceman Jack Parsons, Carter Crawford in goal, and support from AAA Oilers head coach Daron Dumanski, finished fifth in the tournament.
“Everything went well except for the outcome. We picked the team we wanted, were the strongest defensive team there, we outshot everybody, we just couldn't put pucks in the net,” Dumanski said.
To prepare for the tournament, the teams participated in online meetings and a full training day session.
“It was a long day with a number of ice times, and team builders just trying to get the kids to know each other and the coaches," said Pineda’s mother, Allison Denby.
She added that making the team was a goal for Pineda that he was working towards.
“It was so fun and such a great experience for them,” Denby said. “They also really made sure to focus on being a good human, teammate, and person in general, which was really nice to see.”
From the tournament, players will be invited to a top 80 camp in the summer.
From the camp, players will be added to a shortlist who are scouted throughout the regular season with their club teams, before Team Alberta is announced in the fall.
The players who make the team will then compete for the WHL Cup.