With registration for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Association’s (RMAA) 2023-24 season now wrapped up, the minor hockey organization is fielding nine teams.
The rosters for the Renegades are formed drawing players from Carstairs, Crossfield and Didsbury.
“Registration went really well,” said Jeff Fleischer, RMAA president.
“We currently have 144 players in our three divisions,” Fleischer said, referring to the U13s, U15s and U18s.
“We have players that come from all three towns and they get to make lasting friendships with new people they may not have met otherwise,” he said.
The Renegades play in the Central Alberta Hockey League.
Responding last week to emailed questions, he told the Albertan evaluations were almost done.
“So, we are not actively seeking new registrations but have helped some players recently that were looking for a place to play,” he said.
The overall number of players provided a large enough pool to once again field three teams in each age group, he said.
“We are really excited to see the growth we have had in the program,” he said.
Asked if the association was looking for help filling out positions such as coaches, he said additional helping hands are always welcome.
“We have had challenges finding volunteers for some positions, but we currently have a great group and I cannot express enough gratitude for all the hard work they put into the association,” he said.
The U13s were scheduled to start practising for the season last week, with the U15s and U18s getting their first time on the ice over the past weekend, he said.
As the players come from a larger region, RMAA uses all of the three rinks in Didsbury, Carstairs and Crossfield as their home arenas, he said.
“Practices and games are rotated throughout all three communities so all players get to play in their hometown,” he said.