Tuesday 29 March 2011

OSKANA CUP VI TO INCLUDE A BANTAM SHOWCASE

OSKANA CUP VI TO INCLUDE A BANTAM SHOWCASE
Oskana Cup News Release



 
Regina, SK – The sixth annual Oskana Minor Hockey Development Inc. (OMHDI) Oskana Cup will be held on April 29, 30, and May 1 in Regina at the newly opened Co-operators Centre, home of the University of Regina Cougars (CIAU) hockey teams. The format will include the usual men's recreation, women, masters (35+) and the new addition will be the bantam division. “Adding the bantam division changes the focus a bit to reflect what the long-term vision of OMHDI, that is to focus on development of young aboriginal hockey players” said Milton Tootoosis, the founder and former president of OMHDI. “We have dealt with adversities throughout the years and we successfully implemented the Oskay Soniskwatahikewin (OS) Fund to benefit more youth and help our upcoming youth in hockey” he added. The board had in their five year plan a strategy to include minor divisions so a commitment was made to add the bantam division for 2011. Many who follow the hockey world know that if your kid is not identified and protected by the time he is in the bantam division, his chances of making it to the pro ranks drops significantly. In response, the OMHDI will showcase some of western Canada's top bantams and create an event for talented and committed bantams as another opportunity to hone their skills. Someday the OMHDI Oskana Cup will be an elite bantam showcase for top aboriginal players, some who may be unavailable for their provincial teams or AA teams for different reasons.

“With Oskana Cup being the last major aboriginal hockey tournament in Western Canada we anticipate a good response for entries for all divisions” added Shelley Lavallee, the new and current president of OMHDI. “We are especially excited about our successes in the past five years and being loss and injury free. We are preparing for the next five years and our first decade as an organization affiliated with one of our native hockey greats Reggie 'The Rifle' Leach” she said. Leach is to be invited once again to visit the community and make some presentations.
Contacts:
Milton Tootoosis at (306) 341-1876 E;
Shelley Lavallee at (306) 581-5903 E:
mtootoosis27@gmail.com oskanacup@gmai.com