Hayden Prosofsky and Quintin Unreiner know it’s a big deal, but just how big is hard to put into context for the 16-year-olds.
It’s been a decade since Medicine Hat last sent a girls team to the Mac’s AAA Hockey Tournament in Calgary, and as long as 27 years since any local boys competed in the elite, international event over the Christmas holidays.
But starting Boxing Day, the duo who play with the Lethbridge Hurricanes will end the long drought. Hurricanes goalie Marek Andres also spent a couple years in Medicine Hat.
“It’s an exciting thing,” said Prosofsky, noting his team has known about its inclusion in the event for a couple weeks. “It’ll be the biggest stage I’ve ever played on.
“It’s going to be a first experience, fun and exciting.”
The Mac’s draws were announced Wednesday, featuring 25 teams split into five pools. Lethbridge is lucky to be in Pool 1 alongside a team from Russia, one of two teams in this year’s event from outside Canada.
Messages to Unreiner were not returned Wednesday night. Both played for the South East Athletic Club’s midget 15-year-old team last year, moving west this year to keep playing at the highest level possible.
Lethbridge is 10-8-1 after two road wins this past weekend, with the Gas City pair having played in every game. Prosofsky has three goals and three assists while Unreiner has one helper so far.
The last time Medicine Hat was officially represented at the Mac’s was in 2009, when a female team played. The last known boys team to play was in 1993, though it’s possible Hat-born players have taken part with other teams since then.
Just getting an invite is a big deal, as only top teams from the first part of the season are offered spots.
“We caught fire here early,” said Prosofsky.
SEAC hasn’t had a midget AAA team since 2017 but there’s been lots of talk about getting one back. In the meantime Medicine Hat’s midget AA’s won provincials last year and SEAC’s younger teams are seeing improvements year-by-year.
“The younger kids, they’re good and we’re getting better,” said Prosofsky. “It obviously means a lot right now but playing for my hometown team would mean a little more.”
Prosofsky’s dad, Jason, remembers playing in the Mac’s back in 1986 before moving on to the WHL’s Tigers and a pro career. Hayden’s proud to be following in his father’s footsteps.
“That’s crazy,” he said. “I obviously look up to my dad, so knowing we’ll play in the same tournament is crazy.”
