Photo: The CFCW Critters Rural Road Trip will hit Castor’s Beaverdome Nov. 20. Tickets will only be available at the door. Rural Alberta Report/YouTube

A group of Castor parents and volunteers will face the fearsome CFCW Critters in a duel of hockey power Nov. 20 to raise money for a local school. The CFCW Critters will be playing against the parents and community of Theresetta Knights Hockey Academy.

Theresetta School Education Foundation board member Colleen Younger said the group is organizing a fundraising hockey game against the central Alberta radio gunslingers in Nov. to support the group’s activities at the school. “We support Theresetta School financially with the ‘extras,’ things like sports equipment, entry fees, projectors, etc.,” stated Younger in an email Oct. 29.

Younger said the idea for a Critters showdown in Castor came to her right over the air. “In Sept. of 2024, the Theresetta Education Foundation needed ideas for fundraising and I happened to hear about the CFCW Critters hockey games on the radio,” said Younger. “I have an older car and no satellite radio.”

She noted a major event like this can have several benefits, including offering a lot of fun to the community and helping both the school and the community. “The biggest draws for us are that 100 per cent of funds raised stays in our community and it has the potential to make a large amount of money at once, instead of doing lots of small fundraisers,” stated Younger. “That can be tiring for our parents and the community.

“Once we agreed that this hockey game is something we wanted to do, the application was sent into CFCW.”

The CFCW Rural Road Trip travels around Alberta offering a great family event that also helps communities. “Every year, the CFCW Critters Hockey Team, comprised of volunteers and the Critter mascot himself, take their Rural Road Trip to different communities as a fundraiser for anything and everything; minor hockey, arena upgrades, medical equipment…you name it,” noted CFCW’s website. “All funds raised from the evening stay in that community, and to date, the Critters have raised over one $1million for different organizations cross Alberta.”

Younger explained that Theresetta School has a hockey academy that runs all year for Grades 4 to 9, but adults are required to play the Critters. “We have parents of all backgrounds, welders, mechanics, business owners, farmers, and most are alumni of Theresetta as well,” said Younger.

The volunteer noted this isn't the first time the Critters have visited Castor, and there are fond memories of the last game. “Castor hosted the Critters about 10 to 12 years ago, and many people have such fun memories of the game,” said the board member. “If you go on their website they have a YouTube video of what a typical ‘game’ looks like.”

The game will also feature some chances to win prizes along wth some special entertainment. “We will also be running a 50/50 and a raffle table,” said Younger. “ Items will be for all ages. There will be door prizes from our board, Theresetta Education Foundation, as well as from CFCW.

“They will be announcing the game and between the first and second periods, there will be some sort of entertainment/presentation. The ice will be cleaned between the second and third periods. The arena concession will be open. They will be 15 minute periods with only the one longer intermission after the second period.”

It should be noted tickets will only be available at the door. The game is on Thursday, Nov. 20 at the Beaverdome Arena in Castor at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Tickets are cash only and will be sold at the door (no pre-sales). $10 per person or $30 for a family. “Bring all of your friends and family and help us support Theresetta School,” added Younger.