Hockey fans may remember Dr. Randy Gregg as a fierce competitor playing at the University of Alberta, on the Canadian National Team and at the NHL level where he helped his hometown Edmonton Oilers win five Stanley Cup championships as part of their defence core.
However, for thousands of young hockey players, he is known as the founder of 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. In fact, when Gregg retired from the NHL in 1992,he turned down a contract from the Vancouver Canucks so he was able to devote more of his efforts to FunTeam.
Shawn and Penny Stephani, organizers of the FunTeam hockey program in Barrhead, said the local chapter tries hard to adhere to the FunTeam values.
“That is truly the philosophy of fun hockey to keep everything as light-hearted and enjoyable as possible,” Shawn said, adding like any team game, there is a competitive part to FunTeam hockey.
“But really it takes a backseat to the other factors of sport such as sportsmanship, team play and the love of the game.”
For example, Shawn said often the FunTeam timers do not keep score. Or if one team doesn’t have enough players, the opposition will volunteer a few.
In addition, players also learn basic skill development such as skating, shooting and puck control.
Shawn added many young referees get their start by officiating fun hockey games, noting his teenage son often referees.
The program closely mirrors the regular hockey season starting at the beginning of October and going to the second week in March, with teams either playing or practicing every week on Saturdays, with the exception of October, when the teams just practice.
The usual routine for the players is to play games every other week and practice the other.
Penny added it all depends on when they can get available ice time.
This year the program has close to 100 players on five teams.
“Sometimes it can be quite a challenge to make sure we have enough ice-time to make sure all the teams have enough practice time and still have time for games,” she said.
The program is open to everyone and the majority of teams are mixed, with both boys and girls.
The age groups are five to nine, 10 to 13 and 14 to 17. The entry fee to participate is $200, which includes everything from their uniform to the entry to any tournaments. Every team is guaranteed to play in at least one tournament.
The fee also includes the program’s wrap-up event and includes transportation and tickets to an Oil Kings game, as is often the case.
Like most, the association is run entirely by volunteers from the coaches, timekeepers to the referees.
“We try to keep it as low as possible so that as many children can take part as possible,” Penny said.
“We are just so grateful to all the parents, referees and especially the coaches who volunteer their time. Some of these people don’t know a lot about hockey but they step up to help make sure the kids have the best experience possible.”
