ASSINIBOIA — Its what every hockey community and arena season hopes for: deep playoff runs. Assiniboia’s Â鶹´«Ã½AVland Co-op Centre and hockey fans are enjoying the energy and excitement of local teams in playoff quests.
“The last official day for the arena will be April 6,” Community Wellness and Recreation Director Steph VanDeSype says.
“We leave the ice in until all teams are finished with playoffs, and the season caps off with a recreation hockey tournament March 28-30, and the Junior B camp April 5 and 6.
“We are rooting on our minor, junior and senior teams and hope they all win their playoffs and provincial quests.”
VanDeSype says the lengthened hockey season has benefited the area and the town overall.
“Our senior team has been very successful for many years in a row, and they play until late in March. This is great for our facility as the hockey is fantastic to watch and keeps the stands and community full. We are cheering hard for our junior team in hopes that they have a long playoff run and can bring the championship title back to Assiniboia. Our minor hockey teams are looking great on the ice, and we hope to see them bringing home more championship banners as well.”
Mayor Sharon Schauenberg is also cheering on local teams.
“The longer the teams pursue their playoff runs … the economic spin-off is for our community and arena is huge as folks utilize our restaurants and stores to facilitate their needs,” she says.
“It’s wonderful to see our facility utilized to its potential. Build it and they will come.
“The town of Assiniboia is thrilled to be able to entertain a vast array of hockey games, players and fans from all over who enjoy the facility as much as we do. The hockey rink in rural Sask is winter meeting place for all folks to gather for conversation as they cheer on their favourite team, we in Assiniboia love our Rebels and come out to support them each and every time they play, no matter the age. We love our hockey.”
VanDeSype acknowledges that balancing a full schedule for all teams and activities as part of this tail end of a busy rink season is one of the joys of her job.
““Juggle, juggle and more juggling. The minor hockey, junior and senior coaches and managers have all been fabulous this year in switching around their practice times to accommodate all of the games on the schedule. This is the beauty of our small town: everyone works with each other for the best possible outcomes, and we all show up to cheer for one another. There have been many times that one team will volunteer at another’s game so the wives and parents can enjoy the game their loved one is participating in. Volunteerism and camaraderie are strong amongst our hockey organizations.”
As of press time, Mayor Schauenberg notes that no challenges or wagers have been placed on playoff series with opposing team mayors, adding, “However, one never knows as the playoffs progress, I can say one thing it’s getting exciting. As Stomping Tom Connors says ‘the good ‘Ole hockey game is the best game you can play. It’s the best game in the land.’”
There have been no problems affecting the ice plant or ice in general as a result of the warm weather being experienced as of press time, VanDeSype says.
“We have a state-of-the-art system that keeps the ice at a consistent temperature, and we have an amazing ice maintenance crew that keeps the ice in perfect shape. If you look at our sheet of ice, it looks as beautiful as the first week it was installed.”
As a side note, VanDeSype voices her pride in parents and patrons at Â鶹´«Ã½AVland Co-op Centre for addressing the concerns that were brought forward. As a result, it was noted that the TOA has seen a big shift in attitude and pride in the facility. All rooms are fully open and ready for everyone to enjoy.
