The National Ball Hockey Championships Are Coming To
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Paul Kastes, who made Team Canada while playing in the Nationals for Team Manitoba BY SCOTT TAYLOR From April 6-11, 2018, great opportunity for the open to anyone,” said Team Photos courtesy Ball Bell MTS Iceplex and Keith province’s best ice hockey Canada general manager Jeff Hockey Manitoba Bodley Arena will be the players to take a shot at Dzikowicz. “But the player home to the very best Canada’s great summer game. must play a minimum of competition in the country However, there is one three games in a Manitoba as the Canadian Adult Ball small catch, but it’s certainly Ball Hockey Association The National Ball Hockey Hockey Championships not a problematic catch. league in order to be eligible Championships are coming will crown champions at In order to be eligible for for Nationals. So, for to Winnipeg and Team all four levels of play – Team Manitoba – if you’re instance, if an ice hockey Adult Men’s and Women’s good enough, that is – you player tries out and makes Manitoba has pledged to and Masters’ Men’s. need to play at least three it, we’ll find him or her a take a run at the national title And anyone in Manitoba games in a Manitoba Ball team to play on and they no matter the level of play with the skill and desire can Hockey Association league. must play three games.” represent our province in And really? What could And Team Manitoba is and no matter how tough men’s, women’s and masters’ be More fun than that? very serious about finding the opposition. competition. In fact, it’s a “The tryouts are absolutely this province’s best players. 146 | GAME ON | FINALS EDITION 2018 FINALS EDITION 2018 | GAME ON | 147 Talk to Manitoba’s Masters floor that gets us back to that coaches for 2018, Pino Pisano level and hopefully on the and Paul Sobie, and there is other side of ledger. Having a commitment to excellence worked at this program for like no other in the country. several lean years we are really “One thing that will always thinking that our chance hold true is the pride we have to host is going to allow us THE NATIONALS in our hearts for our province,” to field a top level team.” the coaches said. “If we build a For Ray Cook, the head team around this pride, there’s coach of Team Manitoba, THE CANADIAN BALL no telling how far we can go. there is nothing more fun “We’re not looking for than playing a national HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS the best ball hockey players, championship tournament we’re trying to build a at home. It is also a great team around the best opportunity to play in front WINNIPEG, MANITOBA characters and athletes, and of family, friends and fans above all individuals who who can push a great team AUGUST 6-11, 2018 share this Toba pride.” to the top of the podium. If you’ve got it, if you’re “We’ve been one of the top Team Manitoba older than 18 (Men’s and teams in the country over the BELL MTS ICEPLEX AND KEITH BODLEY ARENA Women’s) or 37 (Men’s past five years,” Cook said. Masters), if you love “We’ve won a silver and a TRYOUT DATES representing your province couple of bronze medals and and you love hockey – no had some really tough luck in matter its form – there is a the past two years, but we are TH SUNDAY MAY 6 - TERRY SAWCHUK place for you on Team ‘Toba. one of the teams on everyone’s 6 P.M. TO 8 P.M. - WOMEN’S “That’s our emphasis,” radar. Hosting the tournament said Dzikowicz. “We want this year gives us a chance to 4 P.M. TO 6 P.M. - MASTERS to find the very best players get our best players on the 2 P.M. TO 4 P.M. - U17 at every level and win the floor, and our fans behind national championship. We us. We expect a pretty good NOON TO 2 P.M. - U15 can’t emphasize enough that turnout to the games like we everyone is eligible to try out.” had in 2009, and we expect Al Mendes, the Winnipegger to compete for our first TH SUNDAY MAY 27 - TERRY SAWCHUK who is also Canada’s national national championship in 8 P.M. TO 9:30 P.M. - MEN’S women’s coach, is excited more than 30 years. We are about the prospect of Team excited, focused and cannot 6 P.M. TO 8 P.M. - WOMEN’S Manitoba’s women competing wait for the open tryouts.” 4 P.M. TO 6 P.M. - MASTERS for national gold once again. Remember, the age “We’ve been rebuilding requirement for the provincial 2 P.M. TO 4 P.M. - U17 this program for a few years Men’s and Women’s teams NOON TO 2 P.M. - U15 now with some young players is 18-plus and for Masters’ with potential and now Men it is 37-plus. with some returning top So if you love hockey SUNDAY JUNE 10TH - TERRY SAWCHUK end veterans,” Mendes said. and you’ve dreamed of “With these players, having representing your province SEE THIS ISSUE OF GAME ON MAGAZINE 7 P.M. TO 9 P.M. - MEN’S now developed, we are really at a National Championship expecting a competitive open event, come on out to the FOR DATES AND TIMES FOR TEAM MANITOBA TRYOUTS tryout and in the end to open tryouts in May and June. compete for a championship. You could be wearing a Team www.manitobaballhockey.com NOTE: $30 PER PLAYER TO TRY OUT. TRYOUTS BASED “In 2009 when we last Manitoba jersey in August ON THESE DATES AND LEAGUE SCOUTING. hosted, we lost in the gold when the Canadian Adult medal game. We are really Ball Hockey Championships aiming to put a team on the return to Winnipeg. ❍ 148 | GAME ON | FINALS EDITION 2018 BallHockey.indd 1 2018-04-16 4:11 PM WINNIPEG August 7-11, 2018 at Seven Oaks Sportsplex REGISTER TODAY! eliwilsongoaltending.com ELI WILSON.indd 1 2018-04-06 4:10 PM .