(File photo/paNOW News)

By Derek Craddock

NO MAC'S THIS YEAR

Mintos not heading to Calgary after Mac’s tournament cancelled

Dec 22, 2021 | 8:57 AM

Dozens of young players in Saskatchewan are heartbroken after learning an annual tournament has been cancelled once again due to COVID-19 concerns.

The Mac’s AAA World Invitational Tournament was scheduled to run Dec. 27 to New Year’s Day in Calgary.

However, on Tuesday night, the organizers of the event announced the tournament was cancelled.

In a statement on its website, Mac’s organizers said “with the rising cases and constantly changing environment of the COVID-19 pandemic, we feel it is not appropriate to execute the tournament as planned.”

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The statement goes on to say that a number of factors lead to this decision including the health and well-being of all teams, staff and volunteers, positive cases already found in teams planning to attend, recent capacity restrictions put on by the Alberta Government, and the possibility of some players not able to leave Canada if they test positive.

The Prince Albert Mintos were invited to the tournament this year as were the Warman Wildcats, the Saskatoon Blazers, and the Regina Pat Canadians. The Mintos were scheduled to open the tournament on Dec. 27 against the Calgary Buffaloes.

The decision has been met with much criticism on social media with many upset at the move given how hard the young players have worked and how excited they were to hit the ice.

Tournament organizers said they are looking at all options including the possibility of rescheduling the tournament to a later date.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock