Castlegar minor hockey week runs Jan. 14 - 22 and features all the local teams involved in various events. Some of the highlights so far have included the junior novice stanley cup game at the Pioneer Arena on Wednesday, the midget Rebels outdoor game at the outdoor rink at Kinnaird Park fields and a bantam house scrimmage game.
The outdoor game featured players from the Castegar Rebels midget rep team and a few of the Castlegar Rebels, as well as some younger players playing on the outdoor ice. While the youngsters battled on the ice, the adults huddled around a bonfire and drank hot chocolate and roasted marshmellows and hot dogs.
"It's minor hockey week, and in celebration of minor hockey and the grassroots of hockey, playing outside with your buddies - we thought we'd come up here and bring some hot chocolate and hot dogs for the community and have the boys play with whoever's up here," said midget Rebels coach Grant Pilla. "The community has really supported us this year in our efforts to fundraise for provincials. I thought it would be a good idea to give back and have everyone enjoy some fun time on the outdoor ice."
Castlegar's outdoor ice arena was officially opened up last week and has seen steady crowds since, says Garry Sauer, assistant director of civic works for the city. Their are two rinks, one for hockey and one for general skating, and they're separated by a fence.
Coming up this weekend, two senior novice teams will be playing during intermission of the Selkirk College Saints game Friday against Trinity Western University at the Castlegar Complex.