MyMcMurray takes a look back at the biggest sporting events that happened in our region in 2019.
Fort McMurray Oil Barons
2019 brought a lot of changes to your Fort McMurray Oil Barons.
After reaching the second round of the AJHL playoffs the team and head coach Tom Keca decided to part ways after four seasons.
READ MORE: MOB part ways with Keca; Dupas to assume Head Coach/GM duties
The MOB then announced Dupas resigned as head coach and general manager due to personal and family reasons.
READ MORE: UPDATE: Dupas resigns as Oil Barons coach and GM
Veteran coach Bob Beatty took over to start the 2019-2020 season and currently has the Barons in the thick of things in a tight playoff race in the North division.
READ MORE: Lamb scores OT winner vs Thunder; Hodge hat-trick not enough as MOB fall to Pontiacs
Their first games in the new year will be on home against. On Thursday, Jan 2, they will face off against the Calgary Canuks at 7:30 p.m. and on Friday, Jan. 3, they play the Canmore Eagles at 7:30.
Fort McMurray Giants
The 2019 season was the best season the Giants have ever had in their short four year history.
The club finished in 5th place in the WCBL’s West Division for a fourth straight year but for the first time finished with a .500 record of 28-28.
READ MORE: Giants season wrap-up; look ahead to 2020
Keyano Huskies
The Keyano Huskies are working on bringing back the school’s hockey team, including a new women’s team.
READ MORE: Bid for Keyano Huskies hockey team to be submitted in November
Kira Sutcliffee was hired as the new head coach for the Keyano Huskies Women;s volleyball squad.
READ MORE: Keyano welcomes new women’s volleyball coach
Community
Wood Buffalo was selected to host the 2022 Arctic Winter Games. The former mayor of the region, Melissa Blake and the CEO of The Bouchier Group, Nicole Bourque-Bouchier have been named by city council as the co-chairs of the host society for the games. Organizers anticipate almost 2100 athletes, coaches, delegates, and volunteers to visit Wood Buffalo for the event that will feature 21 different sports.
READ MORE: “We Did It!”: Wood Buffalo to host the 2022 Arctic Winter Games
There is growing community interest in bringing Special Olympics back to Wood Buffalo.
READ MORE: Grassroots support growing for Special Olympics
The Fort McMurray Saints qualified for the Football Alberta Tier-1 playoffs in their first year.
READ MORE: Fort McMurray Saints football team playoff bound
Hailing from Fort McMurray, football star Luke Foster received interest from U.S. colleges like he receives passes. The 6’4″, 230 lbs wide receiver got his first offer to play for renown Ivy League school, Yale University.
READ MORE: Holy Trinity alum receives U.S. college football offer
Dyland Remillard plays defensive lineman for the Father Mercredi Trappers and got the opportunity to suit up against the nation’s up and coming football players and participate in the CanadaFootballChat.com Prospects Game.
READ MORE: Trapper Remillard suits up for football prospect game
Local athlete and Father Mercredi high school student Lamar Goods will play for the Florida Gators college football team next season.Goods is the first student-athlete from Fort McMurray to play for a “Power-5” team, which finished 2019 as the sixth-best program in U.S. college football.
READ MORE: Lamar Goods signs with Florida Gators football program
