Nicholas L. M. Allen
Oct 25, 2023
Excitement grows as the Pass is officially getting a NJHL team.
Well it seems as though it is official! The Crowsnest Pass will be getting a National Junior “A” Hockey League (NJHL) team.
There has been buzz about the potential for a team for some time now. I’ve been hearing about it since I moved here and it has finally been announced, to mine and many other’s excitement.
According to the league, they signed a multi-year lease with the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass. The lease begins in the 2024-25 season, but the team name has not yet been finalized. I really like the name of the Thunder for the younger teams, but who knows what the NJHL will work out. Maybe a potential contest is in the works?
What we do know is there will be three “showcase” games being held at the Crowsnest Pass Sports Complex.Theses games will feature teams from around the league, with the first of the three being on November 4 at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.
The first game is between the Edson Eagles and the High Prairie Red Wings, two of the six teams currently in the league.
The other four teams rounding out the league are the Northern Alberta Lightning, Gibbons Pioneers, Vulcan Rampage and Fox Creek Ice Kings.
The Edson Eagles are clearly on top of this budding league, leading the way with six wins and zero losses. They also have a goal differential of +43 which is just astounding. I might just have to visit the rink to watch the game myself!
Of course I will be getting photos, but the game should be fun to watch too. Tickets for an adult are $15, seniors and youth are $10, kids are $5 and children under six get in free. There is even a bundle for a family of four costing $40.
The league commended the Crowsnest Pass communities for the vibrance of the area and the quality of the facility. The league is continuing to “expand it’s footprint into the south,” which could mean even more teams moving forward.
I look forward to the opportunity for some local hockey to enjoy and it will give me a chance to cover sports with a little more frequency. I’ll be there on November 4 with my camera at the rink. I hope to see you all there.