By Connie Burton

Five local athletes at the midget level were invited to join Team Southwest for the Saskatchewan Winter Games held at Moose Jaw from Feb. 14-20, 2010, simultaneous to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games Feb. 12-28, 2010.

Fox Valley’s Dylan Koch, who plays for the Apache Midget Blues, scored four goals and six assists.
“It was fun, I enjoyed it. Playing with different guys takes some getting used to, but I adjusted pretty well and I liked my line mates,” said Koch.

Craig Fournier, a 16-year-old hockey player from Maple Creek, was cut last year from the Sask First Team. This year, he set his sights on making the cut. He achieved his goal this time and was placed on Team Southwest for the Winter Games.

Although Fournier didn’t think of the correlation between grassroots provincial winter games and the Olympics, he was impressed by the realization. Koch said the Olympic connection is motivating.
“That fact pushes you because if they can do it, you can too,” Koch explained.
The Saskatchewan Winter Games were held at Moose Jaw from Feb. 14 – 20, 2010, simultaneous to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games Feb. 12 – 28, 2010. The elite athletic chain begins first at the grassroots, hometown level, then an athlete’s first taste at multi-sport events will typically begin at a provincial summer or winter games event. They then work their way up to a Jeux Canada Games and finally, into the international scene. Provincial games venues, although on a much smaller scale than an Olympic venue, include similar facilities such as a medical polyclinic, officials, a cafeteria, dorms and sporting facilities.

Upon Fournier’s arrival at Moose Jaw, he quickly realized there wasn’t much time to do anything but eat, sleep and play hockey. Team Southwest played five games in four days. The team’s dorm was in a school classroom shared with a bowling team, figure skaters and curlers. Sleeping was at times a challenge as the bowling team had to be up at 5 a.m. and the hockey players not until 10 a.m. Therefore, there was always some discrepancy on bedtimes and quiet times and of course, awake times in the morning.
“There were about 40 guys in our room so it was not always a quiet place, you just had to learn to just sleep through it all,” said Fournier.

Team Southwest had two wins and three losses. They were in the C final and came out with a loss. Fournier however, was pleased with how he performed as an athlete in the tournament.
“Well, I think I did pretty good, personally, I got eight points (three goals, five assists) and that’s ok. I guess I could have done better though, (I) always can.”

This season Fournier has played for the Swift Current AA Midget Hurricanes who are at present, in fourth place in a league of 15 teams. Seventh in the league, Fournier has 51 points, 23 goals and 28 assists. The team has two regular-season games left and is then heading into playoffs.
Eastend’s Mitchell Taylor also made the team and presently plays for the Notre Dame AA Argos and has been called up for six games to play with the AAA Hounds. At the time of the games, Taylor was already a veteran, having played in the provincial summer games in the discipline of baseball.
Val Marie might be the smallest, most famous hockey town in all the world. Lane Harbor and Ian Fargey, both from Val Marie, were also selected for the elite provincial team and both currently play for the Swift Current AA Midget Hurricanes.

“It’s always an honor to be chosen to represent your zone, and this being my second time chosen was extra special for me. I got a chance to play with some of my team mates from Swift and other kids who I know and played with or against in minor hockey at home,” said Harbor. “The opening ceremonies were awesome, with all the athletes from every sport coming in and completely covering the floor of the civic centre skating rink. It had the feeling like we were actually at the Olympics.”
Harbor scored four goals and three assists during the games.

“It was pretty cool to get to go these games at the same time as the Olympics. In Moose Jaw, one of the best experiences I had was the opening ceremonies. There were bands and we all walked in as teams from our zones. At the end, they lit the Sask Winter Games flame,” said Fargey, who was called up the day before the games started due to an injury. “This is what can happen in sports and you got to make the best of the chances when they happen to you. I am really glad I got to play this year. Last year, I was selected to play on the Bantam Sask First Team but I didn’t get to go because I got hurt. So, this year, it was my turn. Yes, I was nervous. I’ve never scored alot of goals in my hockey career. My role is usually to play tight defense.”

Darwin Hazell of Moose Jaw, was the coach of Team Southwest. He was contacted and asked about the players who were selected from the try out camp.
”These four players were chosen to our team of 20 from a group of approximately 80 players who attended our zone camp on January 15 – 17 in Central Butte. This team finished in sixth place in the winter game tournament.“

Due to the fact that Ian Fargey was a last minute selection due to another player’s injury, comments were not made on this player.
”Lane Harbor was chosen on his gritty two way play style. He was all chosen as one of the assistant captains. Dylan Koch was chosen for his leadership and high intensity work ethic and ability to score. Dylan was the captain. Dylan is a returning player for previous zone 3 teams. Craig Fournier was chosen on his aggressive play and play making abilities. Mitchell Taylor was chosen on his work ethic and high offensive skills. Mitchell is also a returning player. The boys did not disappoint us. They did everything that was asked of them and all were leaders in one form or another. As far as their conduct on and off the ice as a coach, I could not have asked for a better group of players and am extremely proud of the way they conducted them selves during the tryout camp, practices and tournament. I am sure these players will excel in what ever endeavors that they take on in the future be it hockey or something else.”

Grassroots or the Olympics, these sporting events are the heart of bringing athletes together across the provinces and one day, the world. It allows young people to network and teaches sportsmanship and teamwork. The skills the athletes learn by participating provide valuable lessons they can take further into their sporting and working careers. It’s an adventure Fournier would wholeheartedly do all over again.
“It was pretty awesome, a good experience. I would recommend it to anyone.”