No Ice Mania, No Problem

paNOW Staff

Next to the Mac in Calgary, Ice Mania used to be the biggest Midget AAA hockey tournament in Western Canada.

The Prince Albert hockey showcase for 2010 is cancelled due to a lack of teams.  

The annual event has gone from 32 teams a few years ago to five teams last year.  Minto General Manager Don Fauchoux says they decided to cancel when only four teams committed for this year.

Attendance has dropped over the past few seasons as Alberta teams are no longer coming because of their regular season committments.

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The Mintos have paid for their trips to the Mac with proceeds from Ice Mania, but Fauchoux says it won't stop them from going this year.

The progressive 50-50 draw which was a staple of Ice Mania has been preserved with the grand prize draw planned for late December.  Last year during Ice Mania the team raised about $4,500 from the 50-50 ticket sales.

The Mintos have qualified for the Mac with their second place standing in Saskatchewan Midget AAA hockey.  They are off to a solid 9-2-2 start with Veterans Eric Bollifer and Tyson Dallman expected to return to the lineup before the Mac.  They have been sidelined with separated shoulders.  

The Mintos plugged a gap in their schedule by hosting the Calgary Edge school in a weekend doubleheader at the Art Hauser Centre.  Prince Albert won 7-2 on Saturday and dropped a 7-3 decision on Sunday. 

dwilson@rawlco.com