Monetary encouragement is craved by the Kootenay Midget Wildcats. The well-performing team has what it needs in terms of shooting, checking and goaltending, that’s what has earned it the rare opportunity to attend one of the best hockey tournaments in the country next month. Hard cash is now needed to finance the return trip, so the squad has taken to fundraising in a big way.
The Wildcats have received an invitation to play in the Mandi Schwartz Memorial tournament at the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Sask. from Dec. 6-9. The tournament is reserved for the most elite female midget teams in Canada and it is the first such invite for a West Kootenay team.
The tournament is attended by numerous scouts from across North America looking to recruit players to NCAA and Canadian colleges.
“Participation at this tournament has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of these young women, by opening the possibility to further their hockey and education through scholarships.”
Organizers estimate expenses to be close to $20,000 and the team has partnered with the No Frills store to sell merchant cards to help raise money.
The Wildcats are made up of players from across the Kootenays, and compete in the Provincial Female Major Midget AAA League, where they are currently in third place. They play a pair of games against the Thompson-Okanagan Rockets in Nakusp this weekend.
To support the Wildcats contact manager Curtis Biggs at 357-9373.
