Picture Butte Blades capture provincial silver medal on home ice

Sunny South News Photo Submitted. SILVER: The U13 D Picture Butte Blades captured a silver medal on home ice at the U13 D Provincial Championships from March 19-22. Picture Butte Minor Hockey hosted the four-day event that featured 127 players from across Alberta and over a 100 coaches and volunteers.

By Kristy Ruaben

The U13 Blades, made up of 12 skaters and a goalie, will remember the 2025–26 season forever. They posted an impressive 12-1-3 record in the regular season, earned gold in Banff, and took silver at their home tournament.

The Blades carried that momentum into the postseason, capturing the Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL) Tier 4 Red Banner. They then advanced to a round robin against the other Tier 4 division winners to determine the CAHL champion. The playoff ended with the Blades finishing just one point behind Stettler and placing second out of 34 teams.

From March 19–22, Picture Butte Minor Hockey hosted the U13 D Provincial Championship. Over the four days, 127 players, 47 coaches, 56 volunteers, 11 officials, and hundreds of fans filled the North County Recreation Centre to watch the top eight teams representing the five minor hockey leagues across Alberta compete.

The tournament featured the host Picture Butte Blades alongside league champions from across the province: the Stettler Storm (CAHL), Southwest Cougars (Hockey Calgary), Sturgeon Mustangs (EFHL), Viking Gas Kings (NEAHL), and Grovedale Grizzlies (APHL). They were joined by runner-ups Strathcona Warriors (EFHL) and Wainwright Bisons (NEAHL).

Facing adversity, the Blades were short a defenceman for the entire tournament after an injury the week prior. With just three blueliners, and the smallest roster in the tournament, they showed incredible determination, going undefeated in pool play before meeting the Sturgeon Mustangs in the semifinal Sunday morning. Tied 2-2 heading into the third period, the Blades came out on fire, scoring five goals to secure their spot in the gold medal game with a 7-4 win.

Hundreds of friends, family, and fans packed the arena Sunday afternoon for the championship final. The building was buzzing after the first period with the score tied at two. Early in the second, however, the momentum shifted. A series of unfortunate deflections left the Blades trailing by six heading into the third.

Despite the deficit, the Blades refused to quit. Playing with heart, determination, and at times tear-filled eyes, they continued to battle until the final buzzer. They were able to add two to the scoreboard in the third period, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback. While the result wasn’t what they had hoped for; their effort, composure, resilience, and pride in representing their community earned them a well-deserved provincial silver medal on home ice.