You may think your local credit union employee just pushes pencils and plays with numbers all day yet some of them have been in training for the annual recreational credit union hockey tournament hosted in Unity this year.
Formerly a Credit Union Manager's Association event, it has now been handed over to a band of hockey enthusiasts in the credit union system to get together with other employees in the province and play a little hockey for the pride of hoisting "Stanley's Other Cup."
The tradition began in 1985 in Unity as a challenge game between the district and Credit Union Central. It was organized by then UCU general manager, Gilles Colbert. The cream can that has been refurbished into Stanley's Other Cup originally came from Colbert's basement and it is presented to each year's winner.
Credit unions around the province took turns hosting the tournament. The teams included players employed in the credit union system and in years past it has included spouses and credit union affiliates if the respective CU team is short players.
The unity organizing committee for this year's tournament included Gerald Hauta, Scott Smith, Ward Snell, Glenn Colley, Aaron Mielke and Curtis Sieben.
The puck dropped on the first game at 6 p.m. on Friday. The Unity/Synergey team was composed of Scott Smith, Gerald Hauta, Ward Snell, Glenn Colley, Curtis Sieben and Aaron Mielke as coach. They were joined by Synergy staff Doug Kuchenbrand, Shawn Henry, Dustin Todd, Tyson Weighill and Grand Risling. Todd Chorney started off the officiating duties for the tournament.
The five teams- Unity/Synergy, SaskCentral, Innovation, Prairie Centre/Dodsland Credit Union and Conexus - played a round robin format with the team earning the best record winning the cup. Dodsland Credit Union was declared the champions, and were able to hoist Stanley's Other Cup.
The tournament will be turned over to the next Credit Union in the province wanting to take on the event.
