The popularity of girls’ hockey has been rising across Canada in the past few years and the Fort Frances area is no exception.
In six years, the annual girls’ hockey tournament here has grown steadily, according to organizers. This year, 23 teams took part in the first half of the tourney, which now has been divided over two weekends.
The Novice and Atom teams will play their half this coming weekend.
“It’s been getting bigger and bigger every year,” said Dori Barker,
one of the tournament organizers. “It gets quite intense.”
Teams hailed from Fort Frances, Emo, Dryden, Kenora, Thunder Bay, and International Falls.
Action last weekend also included a skills competition, which is one of the reasons why some of the visiting teams make the trip, said Dennis Calder, the coach of the Pinewood Blades who won the Bantam crown.
“It’s supposed to be fun, but it’s very competitive,” said Calder. “It [the final] was a real good game, two good teams.
“This is the third tournament we’ve won this year. It lets us know where we are in Northwestern Ontario,” he added.
The Blades next will take part in the regional playdowns in March.
The Dryden Coyotes captured the Midget final while Emo Esso took home the PeeWee title.
“There was a lot of good hockey,” said Calder. “Girls’ hockey has come so far in the past three or four years.”
The skills competition Saturday afternoon gave the players a chance to really meet those they had been playing against. “It’s just to give the girl’s a chance to mix-and-mingle a bit,” noted Barker.
The 23 teams were divided up into four squads, who faced-off two at a time in different events, including a relay race and an obstacle course.
The weekend also included a Valentine-themed penny table, with prizes donated by local businesses to raise money for girls’ hockey.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
