It is all about the fun of the game.
That is how Shawn Stephani, president of the FunTeam (also known as Fun Hockey) hockey program in Barrhead, characterized the communities fun hockey program just before taking to the ice to referee a game during Jan. 10’s Fun Hockey tournament at the Agrena.
The tournament featured five teams, Mayerthorpe, Westlock, Fort Assiniboine, Rich Valley and Barrhead.
FunTeam Alberta, a non-profit organization established in 1991, whose aim is to foster participation in sport for children, youth, and adults in an atmosphere where winning and the cost for playing is secondary to fun. It’s founder Dr. Randy Gregg who played as a defenseman at the university, Canada National Team and NHL level, believed in the program so much that he turned down a lucrative contract to devote more time to it.
“This is the first time we have actually had a tournament in Barrhead,” he said, adding it can be difficult to find ice time in the town, so Barrhead usually hosts its tournaments in Rich Valley or Linaria. In addition to the Barrhead tournament, which was for teams with players aged 14 to 17. Other towns programs host tournaments throughout the region.
Stephani noted that because the purpose of the program is to have fun as well as skill development, the rules differ slightly from a regular Barrhead Minor Hockey Association game.
The first fans watching a fun hockey game might notice, is that there is no body contact, as in no checking allowed. Incidental contact does happen. If someone does violate one of the rules, penalties are three minutes long.
The other difference major difference is that games are 45 minutes long without any breakages in play, which means the clock keeps running for the entire game. Because the emphasis of the FunTeam is fun, tied games are allowed and there is no play off round.
Depending on the tournament, Stephani said sometimes the organizers award the players that demonstrated exceptional effort or sportsmanship.
Barrhead Fun player Tyler Gerke, who is in his first year of Fun Hockey, said he really appreciates being able to take part in an organized program, but isn’t as structured as a typical minor hockey.
“It’s really fun,” he said, noting he lives in Edmonton, and makes the weekly trip to take part in Fun Hockey. “I played [competitive] hockey when I was a younger and now just play it with friends at home. It is great just to be able to have a place where you can learn skills and just play for the fun of it.”
Dominik Lucas, a Barrhead resident who has been taking part in fun hockey for the last three years, agreed.
“I think its great. It gives kids who might not be able to play hockey higher up or cannot afford it a place to play.”
