A Sylvan Lake hockey player was named, Tuesday, to the Team Alberta roster that will compete at Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup, Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in Calgary.
Forward Tyler Steenbergen, who plays with the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs of the Alberta AAA Midget Hockey League (AMHL), was one of 20 players named to the team. He joins Chiefs teammate TJ Brown from Lacombe on the team of players selected from across Alberta.
Justin Fesyk of Sylvan Lake is the manager, development and one of the Hockey Alberta representatives on the coaching staff.
“Our coaching staff is extremely excited about this group of players,” said Team Alberta head coach Serge Lajoie in a news release. “There were many difficult decisions as the depth of talent in Alberta this year is exceptional. It will be an honour and privilege for our entire coaching staff to work with the final 20 players selected to represent Team Alberta.”
“The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup will showcase the top-rated 15-year-old players from all four of the Western provinces,” said Western Hockey League (WHL) Commissioner Ron Robison. “This is the first step in Hockey Canada’s program of excellence for these players, and this competition will provide an excellent opportunity to evaluate the top players in this age category.”
Team Alberta begins tournament action at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 when they take on Team Manitoba. They’ll face Team Saskatchewan on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. and wrap up against defending champions, Team British Columbia, at 11 a.m. Nov. 2. All games are in Father David Bauer Arena.
Team Alberta has won this event twice in its history, at the inaugural event in 2009 in Blackfalds and then again in 2011 in Moose Jaw. In 2012, Team Alberta placed second, losing the gold medal to Team B.C. The Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup only occurs in the off years of the Canada Winter Games.