WHAT A WEEK!
Champions are cherishing their medals, finalists are getting over disappointment and everyone is celebrating the memories that came Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week. The 58th edition of the event saw more than 9,000 players compete in divisions ranging from U9 to U18. Players and their fans were thrilled to be back in the event in arenas across the capital region after missing out last year due to the pandemic.
The pandemic prompted another of measures over and above the health measures already put in place by the Province of Alberta and City of Edmonton. The vast majority of the 606 teams were able to compete and only a handful of the 804 games were lost due to clubs being unable to ice a team due to players sick with COVID-19. We were impressed with the way teams stickhandled around the Omicron variant.
Forget "cheese". Say "SOLID GOLD!"... View our Gold Medal Champs here! If you have a need to find a specific team or player picture now, please contact Dean at mvp@mvpteamphotos.com.
SAFETY FIRST
Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week took some unique twists this season with enhanced health measures to reduce the risk of potential transmission of the virus. Working closely with Alberta Health and the City of Edmonton, the QEMHW Committee added steps to mitigate exposure, include pre-selling tournament buttons, home teams taking over timekeeping duties, coaches handing out medals and the availability of sanitizer, masks, and gloves.
We thank everyone for following those guidelines as well as the ones previously put in place by the governments as well as adhering to Hockey Alberta's Return to Play plan as of January 7, 2022.
STICK TAPS FOR WAYNE GRETZKY AWARD WINNERS
Three recipients of the Wayne Gretzky Award were also announced, with Bo Adams, Paulo Borrelli, and Abigail Taylor being recognized for their outstanding sportsmanship and dedication to the game. In addition to the honour, these players will receive $750 from ATB Financial.
FIRST STAR AWARD
One of our long time partners, Rob Suggitt, who publishes the Hockey Edmonton magazine, won the 50-50 and could have pocketed a cool $2600. Instead, Rob turns around and donates it to Sport Central, Mustard Seed and the Stollery Children's Hospital. It was an incredibly generous gesture and speaks to the spirt of this magnificent event.
Congratulations also to our winners of the McDonald's coffee for a year! Stacy Kincaide and Charlene Mills posted a couple of great pics from the McDonald's photo zone at the Terwillegar Rec Centre so they get their caffeine fix for a year at the golden arches!
STANDING OVATION FOR OUR PARTNERS
It is that kind of character we find in all of our partners. The man behind Quikcard, Lyle Best, has been the lead sponsor for 22 years now. Before the event start this year, he spoke eloquently at our media launch about the resilience of the players and the people involved in this event - especially this year. Our deep gratitude goes to Lyle and our other sponsors at McDonald's, Elite Promotional Marketing, the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Oil Kings, Hockey Alberta Officials, the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association Alumni, Vimy Hockey, Donnan Hockey, St. Thomas More Hockey and Serdachny Power Skating.
There is no way we could stage Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week without our partners nor our volunteers, who form an incredible army on the front lines. The Arena Managers and their teams continue to amaze us with their dedication to the cause.
Thank you to everyone. We love everyone's dedication to the kids and it gave everyone so much joy seeing them back in this event after too long of a wait.