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YOUR LOCAL PAPER
Wednesday, January 15, 2020 Vol. 43, No. 3
$1 includes GST
Successful Initiation tournament in Viking doubles participation Patricia Harcourt Editor
The Dee-Jay Plumbing and Heating Viking Gas Kings Initiation Tournament was a great success on Saturday, Jan. 11, with 16 teams taking part at the Viking Carena Complex. "It was awesome," said Laurel Weisgerber, who coordinated the event along with Brandi Bird. "I am getting emails and feedback saying they can't wait to come back to Viking." Visitors were very impressed with the Carena facility. "They enjoyed the rink and Viking, they really enjoyed the community and can't wait to come back," she said. A total of 235 players came out to play in the daylong tournament as the temperatures outside started to dip into a deep freeze. Hockey players took to the ice representing hosts Viking Gas Kings, as well as visitors including Camrose Vikings - Canucks, Camrose Vikings - Flyers, Sherwood Park 205 Wolves, Sherwood Park 203 Blades, Lloydminster Blazers 10, Mannville Hawks, Sherwood Park 105 H a m m e r h e a d s , Lloydminster Initiation 7 Blazers, St. Albert Electric, Holden Oilers, Battle River Knights Initiation #2, Camrose Vikings Canadiens, Wetaskiwin Tom Thumb Jets, Vegreville Wranglers, and Sherwood Park 2018 Golden Gophers. Weisgerber was ecstatic about the amazing number of teams that came out for the fun event, with numbers doubling over last year's tournament. A highlight for the crowds attending, as well as the players, was a visit from
Hunter, the Edmonton Oilers' mascot. Hunter was everywhere that day making friends in the lobby, in the stands, and on the ice as excited children crowded around. The day also featured onice puck toss, raffle draws, 50/50 tickets, and the Viking families' VF4F, an indoor activity centre. The Viking Gas Kings played Lloydminster Blazers in the morning, followed by the Sherwood Park 105 Hammerheads in the afternoon. Viking's first game with Lloydminster saw #2 Harper Amundson take the Hearts and Hustle award, with #11 Conley Docksteader taking the MVP. For the second game against Sherwood Park, #13 Jaxon Parr took the Hearts and Hustle, and #5 Miles Weisgerber garnered the MVP. The Holden Oilers played afternoon games with St. Albert Electric and Lloydminster Blazers. In the first game with St. Albert, #12 Dayne Jober earned the Hearts and Hustle award, and #8 Adessa Hofer took the MVP. In game two against Lloyd, #10 Brielle Cameron took the Heart and Hustle award, and #21 Zackary Hellekson was given the MVP. All the participants were given medals to recognize their participation in the tournament. All day the lobby was abuzz with spectators out to enjoy food and drink from the Carena concession. Plus, they got to see their favourite team and/or players in action with good sportsmanship and love of the game all that was needed to make it a day full of fun for everyone.
A highlight of the Viking Gas Kings Initiation Tournament last Saturday was a visit by Hunter the Lynx, the official mascot of the Edmonton Oilers. Players crowded around the mascot following the end of two PATRICIA HARCOURT PHOTOS games at the Viking Carena Complex.
Members of the Holden Oilers Initiation (orange/navy) scramble to keep the puck away from St. Albert Saturday during an Initiation tournament.