Back row: Nicole Lyons (CanSkate Coach), Emma Levey, Jocelyn Henry, Karissa Bertalon, Rayne Kimery, Raylene Cook, Bethan Weeding, Justin Ferch, Taylor Meszaros, Celina Leicht, Jessica Szakacs, Erin Walker (Senior Coach), Rudi Swiegers, Paige Lawrence (Guest Skaters).

Middle row: Aimee Hassler, Mariah Marton, Alicia White, Brooke Widdup, Si Yan Liu, David Zhang, Stefanie Lange, Blythe Clemence, Juel Sproat, Anyslee Hassler, Dominique Sauvé.

Front row: Donovan Sauvé, Ashlee Farnden, Danielle White and Paige Manns.

Missing: Dean Moore and Jesse Moore

This year saw the club hitting the ice with 16 CanSkaters, 10 Senior skaters, a hero for a power skating coach, a CanSkate coach who dusted off the blades for the first time in 11 or so years and a pregnant Senior Coach…What would this year bring?

The first half of the season saw our skaters learning, building and improving their skills. Although the first 652 wipe out, the 1258 crosscuts and the endless jumps and spins seemed a bit much, no one complained they just wanted to make sure that was REALLY what we wanted them to do. Once they understood we were working towards an Ice Show it all seemed to make sense.

Having a pregnant coach, who was due right around ice show time, made it a bit more interesting planning and setting a date. But for all intents and purpose we can plan anything now as our newest member Miss Sasha Walker arrived with time to spare, 3 days after our Ice Show! Congratulations Erin and Lindon.

Although Mother Nature was not on our side the evening of our show, freezing out the crowd with the temperature of at least -35, our skaters warmed the hearts of all the fans that night. We understand our skaters weren’t the only drawing card that night however, as one of our own returned home. Rudi Swiegers and Paige Lawrence, Junior Medallists gave the crowd more than they could ever ask for. And gave the skaters dreams bigger than they had before, knowing at one time Rudi had to wipe out 652 times too!

Over the season our skaters have participated in different test days, a carnival in Grenfell and a Family Fun Day. Due to the show being earlier this year the Fun Day was born, we needed something different to try and gave the kids one more thing to work towards. The parents of our skaters agreed to put on the blades and be instructed by their child, giving them a unique way to understand what they had learnt and realize it is not as easy as it looks. We all thank the parents for taking part in the Fun Day; your kids had waited for that all year!!

The coaches would like to thank the executive for all their hard work this year. Justin Ferch for teaching our power skaters and being someone who they look up to and admire. Our senior skaters that helped with the groups, you all deserve a pat on the back for a job well done, thank you very much. The parents for allowing us to spend time with their children, the smiles and laughs we have shared are priceless and will never be forgotten. After seeing the Family Fun Day, we are very glad it is best that we leave the skating up to them.

To Raylene Cook and Kristy Hourd; Raylene you’ve been with us for the last 4 years and Kristy, you were with us for part of this year, and we wish both of you the best of luck after your graduation. We’ll miss seeing you on the ice next fall.

Congratulations to Murray and Karin Bertalon who won the draw for one night at the “Temple Gardens Mineral Spa” in Moose Jaw.

To our skaters, we know that you have pointed out that the ice is artificial, but the plant cannot run all year. So if you promise to bring back your willingness to learn, your hard work, your laughter and smiles, we can do it all again in the fall. See ya on the ice!!!