Cobras return to the ice for new season

By Cole Parkinson
Sunny South News

September is here which means minor hockey players are returning to the rink to compete in their next season. Coaldale Cobra players were back on the ice starting last week as teams prepare for the upcoming Central Alberta Hockey League season.

While seeding games are a little ways off yet, teams are back on the ice for practices. Looking at the age divisions within Coaldale Minor Hockey, the numbers project to be fairly similar to last season.

“They’re looking pretty much the same as last year. We’ll have three teams in our U7 and U9 divisions which is the same as last year, two U11 teams which is the same as last year, One U13 team same as last year, and the same in U15 and U18. Our U18 number is down a little bit, but we’ll still have a team there,” explained Darren Hurt, CMHA president.

Home tournaments have also been set across the age divisions. U11 goes first from Dec. 16-18, followed by U13 from Jan. 6-8, U15 and U18 is Jan. 13-15, U7 is on March 3-5, and U9 wraps things up from March 17-19. With plenty to look forward to this coming season, Hurt says players and their families are excited to be back in the rink.

“We started on the ice on Tuesday and so far, lots of excitement, especially with the younger kids,” he said. “We had a project with the Town of Coaldale over the summer where we actually improved one of the dressing rooms to be a Cobras dressing room. There’s lots of excitement coming back to see that and see the room. It’s kind of like an NHL vibe when you go into that dressing room. There’s also new paint on the ice with glow-in-the-dark pain. So, everybody’s pretty pumped to get back”

While the warmer weather is still here in southern Alberta, Hurt explains once the temperature drops, he expects people to be even more fired up for the season.

“It has been hard though since the temperature’s been over 30 degrees, but as the temperature drops, I expect the excitement to build,” he added.

To keep up-to-date with the Cobras this season, visit their website at http://www.coaldaleminorhockey.com/

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