RED DEER – A Canmore hockey player is putting on an Alberta sweater for the first time.
Canmore’s Soma Furue is excited to be part of Alberta South Gold, a U13 squad in the eight-team Prospects Cup tournament from Thursday to Sunday (May 11-14) at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer.
“This will be something I remember for the rest of my life,” said Furue, a 13-year-old left wing. “It’s going to be a huge part of me.”
For many young players like Furue, the Prospects Cup is their first shot to gain experience in the Alberta development program, which provides a competitive and organized regional camp and select team competition.
“These are exciting players to watch,” said Mike Kraichy, Hockey Alberta’s manager of Elite Male Hockey, in a media release. “For these athletes, it is their first introduction to the Hockey Alberta process. My hope is that they enjoy it, embrace the experience, and focus on their development.”
At the tourney, each team plays three round-robin style games starting Thursday. On Sunday, the top four teams advance to the playoffs and a winner will be crowned later in the day.
Furue played for the Cochrane U13AA Timberwolves last season, scoring 15 goals and tallying more than 30 points. His game revolves around getting into the nitty-gritty battles and going for 50/50 pucks. He prides himself on making smart and tough plays that reward his team.
The winger’s journey to the Prospects Cup started in Olds at one of four regional camps in April. After a three-day tryout, where Furue presented himself as a difference maker on and off the ice, he was one of 160 players selected for the U13 tourney. Players make up two teams each from Calgary, Edmonton, northern Alberta, and southern Alberta.
“I think I’ve prepared myself pretty well for this tournament,” said Furue. “I’m hoping some people notice me and I’m hoping to develop my own skills from others.”
He said South Gold has a team-first, work-hard mentality, and they all want to develop and get to know each other as a group in its limited time together. There are familiar faces on the roster, as well, with three defencemen being Timberwolves teammates.
“I’m really excited to play for South Alberta Gold and I’m looking forward to this tournament,” Furue said.
Alberta South Gold’s first game is Thursday (May 11) at 2 p.m. against the Calgary Red.
