Local Sports

Gilly the Great was really great this year. Kyle Gilmour’s triumphant return to the pitch from injuries was capped off as this year’s recipient of the Rugby Alberta Senior Men’s Player of the Year Award.

CJHL Merchants The St. Albert Merchants start a three-game homestand this weekend at Akinsdale Arena. The Blue Guys play the Edmonton Royals (11-11-1) Friday and the Edmonton Mustangs (7-12-3) Sunday at 8 p.m.

Raiders rocking The St. Albert Tire Warehouse Raiders are undefeated in eight games while maintaining their first-place ranking in the north division of the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League.

Beating the Jasper Place Rebels is still a work in progress for the Paul Kane Blues.

The St. Albert Skyhawks are ushering in a new era for the high school women’s basketball team with six newcomers replacing four graduates from the 4A provincial consolation champions.

Roar of the Rings Marc Kennedy of St. Albert is curling up a storm with the Kevin Koe rink at the Roar of the Rings Olympic Trials at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.

Sabres action The St. Albert Gregg Distributors Sabres are back on the ice after competing in the Winnipeg Jets AAA Classic last weekend. The Sabres (11-2-3) visit the Sherwood Park Flyers (9-6-2) today at noon and Sunday’s face-off is 3:45 p.m.

SFX High School – The Paul Kane Blues are locked and loaded for an explosive season in high school women’s basketball.

Heroes Hockey Challenge The rosters have been finalized for the Heroes Hockey Challenge at 2 p.m. Sunday at Go Auto Arena.

Christmas came early for the St. Albert Tire Warehouse Raiders. The north division leaders in the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League received a coveted invite to the 40th annual Mac’s tournament Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 in Calgary.