The Farrell Agencies Initiation Program (IP) hockey tournament took place over the weekend at the Kinsmen and Farrell Agencies Arenas.
The tourney included 16 teams, a full slate of games, says IP director Ryan Hoffman during the B side finals match between the Yorkton Double Doubles Terriers and the Ice Capps Terriers.
There were lots of out of town teams too, he said.
"The kids, coaches, and referees had a good time with it."
The Initiation Program is the youngest level of minor hockey that a player can take part in. Most of the kids are 5-6 years old, with some four year-olds in the mix, says Hoffman. There is a Tim Bit program available too for those who are trying to learn the basics of the game.
He added that the biggest part of being involved in a tournament for players so young is that development and growth in the skills of the game seem to be much more noticeable.
While other levels of the game tend to focus more on the physicality and skill, the IP program looks at the basics and according to Hoffman, the players are developing quite nicely.
"The most amazing thing I find is how much they improve from the beginning of the year....by the time its mid-December, you can't believe its the same kids."
The local showing for the Farrell Agencies tournament was quite promising, Hoffman points out. It was Yorkton vs. Yorkton in both the 'B' finals and 'D' finals. It shows how strong some of the outsiders are when it comes to five-year-olds battling for the puck, he insisted.
"Some of the out of town teams are pretty strong. The kids have developed."
In this weekend's tournament, all players left with a prize, Hoffman said.
The work that went into it probably won't be forgotten either, he suggested. Some of the tournament helpers/volunteers spent 15 hours at the rink on the opening day of the tournament.
"It's lots of work," he said.
Each of the Yorkton teams had 3-4 people helping.
