The Oil Barons 3-on-3 Hockey Challenge is Back!
Another perennial favourite event is returning on December 28, 2021 for three days after a year of hiatus due to COVID. The annual Oil Barons 3-on-3 Hockey Challenge will be held at MacDonald Island Park. Registration is now closed for the tournament, which is largely aimed at participants and their parents/guardians. It features a range of Divisions from U7 to U15 and 16. Kicking off at 9 a.m., it will also include The Skill Challenge, which will engage participants in Speed Skating, an Obstacle Race and a competition to determine the Hardest Shot. December 30th will see the presentation of medals and ribbons at 6 p.m.
“The first official 3-on-3 hockey Challenge at MacDonald Island Park was in 2012; the event has been held annually since then over the Christmas holiday break. In 2020 the event was cancelled due to COVID-19, so we are particularly excited to bring it back this year,” shares Theresa Wells, Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations for the Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood Buffalo (RRC).
“The Oil Barons 3-on-3 Hockey Challenge is a chance for local youth hockey enthusiasts to have some fun on the ice, make some new friends, as well as enjoy the sport during the Christmas holiday break. It’s good old-fashioned hockey fun with a skill challenge component, too. It’s really a celebration of the sport,” she adds.
Jamie Hewat’s son and daughter will be playing in the tournament. She agrees, and is delighted for the event.
“I’m looking forward to cheering the kids on during their games. This tournament gives them an opportunity to play with and against kids they may not normally get to in their house league. It’s always very well organized, and no matter if they win or lose, all participants have so much fun always. It is also a great way to spend a few days over the holidays. This is my son Cole’s second year participating in this event. He is seven years old and plays for the U9 Mustangs. He will be a goalie. My daughter, Samantha, 9 has also decided to play this year, her first year of hockey actually. She will play in the U11 Huskies.”
Terry Connors is the Director of Operations for the Oil Barons, NAAA, and Centerfire Place. He shares on the team’s involvement with the event.
“It’s all about the kids, and a great fit with our organization. We are happy to support, and knew it had been going on for a while before we decided to sponsor it six years ago. It is good to see it return after a break due to COVID.”
“MacIsland does most of the work for the event, and they have always done a great job organizing it. Anytime our players interact with younger players they have a great time. They just love giving back. And, this is one of the many ways how they give back to the community. The 3-on-3 Challenge is some good fun, as well as competitive hockey. They put some good teams together. It’s all about fun, but the participants want to win too. It’s great to see when they get the gold ring around their neck,” says Connors, who has been with the Oil Barons for 30 years.
Wells thanked the Oil Barons for their ongoing support.
“We are so grateful to the Oil Barons for their partnership in the Oil Barons 3-on-3 Hockey Challenge. We are delighted by the strong interest of participants in the event this year, and are looking forward to three great days on the ice as we close out 2021 and prepare to welcome a new year!”
The COVID Restriction Exemption Program is in place at the facility. MacIsland is looking for volunteers for the tournament: referees, coaches and score keepers are needed. Email clayton.altares@rrcwb.ca for more information.
Best of luck to all the participants.
