Five local bantam AAA hockey players will skate for the Northwest zone team at the Alberta Cup, starting April 24 in Strathmore.
Defenceman Matt Kasowski and forwards Ryan Cooper, Jack Langenhahn and Aidan Steinke of the St. Albert Sabres and defenceman Ian Mitchell of the Spruce Grove PAC Saints made the 20-man Northwest roster.
The eight-team tournament showcases the top second-year bantams in the province and is heavily scouted by Western Hockey League teams in preparation for the May 1 bantam draft.
It’s also an opportunity for administrators, coaches, trainers and officials to be evaluated for future positions with the Team Alberta program.
Shannon Giebelhaus of St. Albert backstopped the Edmonton Wolves to the Alberta Junior Female Hockey League playoff title.
The co-recipient of the AJFHL netminder of the year award stopped 23 shots in the recent 2-1 championship-clinching victory as the Wolves swept the best-of-five final against the Central Alberta Amazons.
Giebelhaus started every playoff game for the Wolves while compiling a 7-1 record, 2.13 GAA and .913 save percentage.
In league play the Bellerose Composite High School alumna was 11-3-1 with a 1.98 GAA, one shutout and .917 save percentage.
The Wolves finished on top of the north standings at 21-7 and the Red Deer-based Amazons placed fourth in the south at 13-17.
The Fort Saskatchewan Fury, Thorsby Thunder, Irma Chargers and Sherwood Park Steele also competed in the north.
This was the fifth AJFHL season for players 18 to 21 years old.
