The regular hockey season may be over, but hockey will continue in Castor for a few more weeks thanks to a parent-led initiative.
Spring Hockey at the Castor Beaverdome will run from the end of March until approximately mid-May.
“We got the idea a few months ago,” said hockey mom Shiana Younger, one of the program’s organizers.
Organizers held an ID skate at the end of January to gauge skaters’ interest and skill level if a program were to be hosted; 34 skaters attended with many more expressing interest but unable to make the date.
When town council approved the extension of the ice in the Beaverdome and the program opened for registration, 47 girls registered which was enough to fill out two teams, plus have a few development only players.
Younger says that while the program is just geared for girl’s hockey this spring, the way it is built it can be expanded in the future for more teams of both genders.
Registered skaters in the spring program come from all over; the Castor program has a catchment area from as far as Coaldale, Alta., in the south, Irma and Lloydminster in the north, and Davidson, Sask., in the east.
“It’s crazy,” said Younger.
Kids in the program get 2.5 hours-plus of skating per week, with two on-ice sessions on Sunday and an optional skate on Thursdays which 75 per cent of the group takes advantage according to Younger.
When the kids were registered, they were evaluated by the coaching staff and the strongest 15 players of each group, U13 and U15, were assigned to the spring teams, the East Central Eagles.
The remaining skaters participate in the program, however they are focusing on hockey development only.
During the approximately six-week run of the program, the youth will be involved in several tournaments at both the Beaverdome and away.
“This program is filling a huge gap needing to be filled,” said Younger, noting that there is little in the way of “higher calibre” spring hockey for youth outside of the Highway 2 corridor.
“The whole intention of the program is bringing in higher calibre hockey … there’s a huge development piece.”
As part of the program, there are going to also be associated coaching clinics and mini-camps with each of the teams hosted by Wayne Filipenko.