The Jasper Arena’s temporary dressing rooms got their first tournament test of the 2023/24 hockey season last weekend.

On December 16 and 17 the Jasper Junior Grizzlies U11-U13 Girls hosted their Hockey in the Rockies tournament. Teams from Fort Saskatchewan, St. Paul and Edmonton made the trip to Jasper. 

From organizer Lynn Wannop’s perspective, the tournament went as smooth as the Jasper Arena’s widely-renown ice surface.

“It was absolutely amazing,” she said. “Everyone was happy.”

When she put out the invitation, Wannop made it clear that the Jasper Arena was undergoing a major renovation. 

“I let them know they’d need skate guards, and that they’d need to fill their water bottles at the hotel,” Wannop said. 

One Fort Saskatchewan parent said their rink was also under repairs.

“We’re used to it,” he said. “It’s not a huge deal.”

What was a huge deal was getting the Jasper Grizzlies to Wickfest, the Female Hockey Festival which took place in Calgary earlier this month. Fundraising and a sizeable donation by local hockey booster, Michael Wasuita, helped the Grizzlies make the trip. 

At their Hockey in the Rockies tournament, the Grizzlies thanked Wasuita for his support and presented him with an autographed picture from six-time Olympian and the namesake of the festival, Hayley Wickenheiser. 

“He always supports us so much,” Wannop said of Wasuita.

The tournament included a fun competition where player certificates were issued for skating, shooting and goal-stopping skills. 

Organizers of the Hockey in the Rockies weekend are planning their next tournament—this time with six teams—in February. 

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com