The 2019–2020 hockey season is turning out to be a strong and exciting one for the Hawks, St. Adolphe’s minor hockey association.
Among the most notable changes this year is the sheer size of the organization.
“As the community continues to expand, so too does the St. Adolphe Minor Hockey Association,” says Darren Skelton. “There are 119 Hawks playing in St. Adolphe this year, which is growth of 20 percent over last year. It has been said that the local arena is the heartbeat of any rural community, and nowhere is that more evident than in St. Adolphe!”
At the leading edge of this growth is the Initiation program, for young players between the ages of four and six. This year, there are 34 Initiation players.
Another exciting area of growth, Skelton highlights, is the women’s game.
“There are 36 girls playing hockey out of St. Adolphe this year,” he says. “As an association, we are so excited to see the women’s game continue to grow.”
An important event on the community calendar every year is the St. Adolphe Winter Carnival, which will be held the weekend of January 30–February 2.
“The carnival features a lot of great community events, including a kids dance, kiddie carnival, snow maze, dodgeball, and a social,” says Skelton.
For local hockey enthusiasts, a clear highlight of the carnival is Hawks Day, which takes place this year on Saturday, February 1. A full slate of minor hockey games will kick off at 8:00 a.m. and continue throughout the day.
“One of the most important components of Hawks Day is when the community comes together to support the Taylor Christensen Memorial Game,” Skelton says.
On November 12, 2002, Taylor Christensen was practicing with his St. Adolphe Hawks Timbits hockey team when he collapsed and died. It was a tragic event for Taylor’s family and friends, and one that affected the entire minor hockey community.
To honor his memory, Taylor’s parents, Lori and Tim, worked with the St. Adolphe Minor Hockey Board to create the Taylor Christensen Memorial Fund. The fund began with a donation from the St. Adolphe Minor Hockey Association and the 50/50 monies from the annual Taylor Christensen Memorial Game.
Over the years, the fund has been increased with the 50/50 monies from every Hawks game played on Hawks Day. The money raised supports two St. Adolphe minor hockey players per year to attend a hockey school of their choice. All minor hockey player names are entered into a draw and two names are selected at the conclusion of the Taylor Christensen Memorial Game.
“The Taylor Christensen Memorial Fund ensures the community will never forget the young man who had so much life ahead of him,” says a member of the Hawks board. “It also reminds all of us that hockey is simply a game and to appreciate that we get to watch our sons and daughters do something they enjoy.”
