The Sundre tykes Huskies recently had a busy weekend when the local squad hosted numerous visiting teams.
"Our tournament was a huge success," said coach Shaun Bartholow.
"The kids had so much fun showing their friends and family how great they could play as a team."
There were seven teams that came to play at the Sundre Arena on Feb. 25-26 ó the Crossfield Ice Hawks, Airdrie Zombies, Okotoks Canucks, Olds Grizzlys Black as well as the Olds Grizzlys Red, Didsbury Ramblers and Carstairs Bruins.
At this stage of hockey, coaching staff want to keep the focus of the game on playing, sportsmanship, as well as teamwork as opposed to competition, he said.
"For the tykes level, we don't have our tournament set up where the teams place first, second or third. Each team is guaranteed three games and the only expectation is they have fun!"
The coach said he's observed throughout this season the tykes steadily improving their ability to work together as a team.
"We had a lot of new additions to our team this year, but it did not take long for them to find their groove. One of the best things to see as a coach is how the kids improve from one day to the next. Their learning curve is so steep but they never cease to amaze how fast they can learn."
The tykes Huskies squad is made up of 15 players, who are supported by four coaches and a manager.
The community has shown its support in a number of ways, including more than $1,500 raised from a skate-a-thon as well as the funds raised during the recent tournament, which included a raffle table, a 50/50 draw and a silent auction. Additionally, there were many items donated for the tournament, he said.
