ST. PAUL – Teaching discipline and promoting sportsmanship was what the U9 hockey jamboree was all about.
Held over the weekend at the Clancy Richard Arena on Jan. 25 and 26, St. Paul Minor Hockey hosted 16 teams from across Alberta, including teams from Cold Lake, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Lac La Biche, Saddle Lake, St. Albert, and Sherwood Park.
Mallory Cardinal, the manager for one of the three St. Paul U9 teams, said the tournament was about more than competition. It was meant as a way to build camaraderie among the youth.
"It's not just about the sport, but also about building friendships," she said.
Carla Jefferey, coordinator of the event, agreed. "I call it the hockey family," she said, explaining how kids spend a lot of time together both in and outside the rink during the hockey season. The event was one way to see bonds form.
"We spend a lot of years together."
Cardinal and Jeffery thanked everyone involved with the jamboree, including sponsors, the teams, and the parents - especially given the weather was not particularly good over the weekend.
"We wouldn't be able to make [the jamboree] happen if it wasn't for the teams that travelled [and] braved the roads," said Jeffery.
St. Paul Minor Hockey is will be hosting a U7 tournament on Feb. 1.
