Players trying out at the Jr. B. Tigers Selection Camp
Hockey season is fast approaching and although the association is uncertain at this time when it will begin the Jr. B Tigers still held a selection/training camp this past weekend from Friday, September 18 to Sunday, September 19 at the Vermilion Stadium with a inter squad game on Sunday from 2-4 p.m.
The camp held two skates with one on Friday evening from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. COVID 19 precautions were put in place including hand sanitizer and players were asked to bring their own labelled water bottle and towel.
The camp was a success with approximately 35 player ranging between the ages of 16 to 21. The purpose of the weekend event was to give coaches the opportunity to observe the players and select their team for the 2020 to 2021 season.
“It has been a successful camp as we have had kids from all over the County of Vermilion River turn out,” said Head coach Ryan Earl.
The association is also in its 50th year and according to their Facebook page the Tigers were born on September 7, 1970 for the 1970 to 71 season.
A steering committee consisting of Owen Clouston, Rod McPhee and Tom Lysons started it with Scott Morgan named as President, Bob Maughan as Vice President and Bill Garnett as the Secretary-Treasurer. Also involved in the first year was Clarence Goldsmith, Ken Fulton, Bud Staden, Charles Upshall, Frank Donald, George Johns, Aldous Kent, William Cross, Frank Molineux, Byron Moore, and Don Maggs.
The first person to coach the Jr. B. Tigers was Bob Maughan, however Larry Jackson and Don Willis replaced him in the midseason. The League consisted of teams from St. Paul, Barrhead, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Camrose, Red Deer, Stettler, Hanna and Olds.