Local hockey player Taylor Cote showcased his talent at the Alberta Cup from April 17-19. The top 160 Alberta male hockey players born in 1993 were invited to tryout for the Alberta Cup, Falher resident Cote was one of them. The tryouts began April 10 – 12 in Lloydminster. “Alberta Cup is to identify players that they can look for when they turn 17,” says Cote. “I’m very excited and happy that the hard work is paying off.” Cote lived away from his family last fall to take an opportunity to play hockey for the Grande Prairie Bantam Storm AAA team. He says the experience of playing for nine months in Grande Prairie prepared him for the competition at the Alberta Cup. In order to be considered to play at the Alberta Cup, the athlete must be registered with hockey Alberta. The Cup began in 1986 as a program for midget hockey players. It was held in both 1987 and 1988 but disappeared in 1993 when it re-emerged as a bantam level competition. The Alberta Cup helps to prepare, evaluate and identify potential players for Hockey Alberta’s Team Alberta Program (formerly known as Program of Excellence). About 1000 players from across Alberta tried out for the prestigious 160 spots available at the Alberta Cup. “We were only allowed to practice for three and a half hours before the tournament,” says Cote. “It is to make sure that people from across Alberta have the same time to practice with their team and to make sure there is not an unfair advantage.” Not only is the Alberta Cup for the hockey player themselves, it is also an opportunity for administrators, coaches, referees and trainers to be evaluated. As for Cote, his goal is quite clear. Like any other skillful 14 year-old hockey player he would like to one day make it to the NHL. The right-winger says that he idolizes many NHL players, but his favorites are Ethan Moreau and Sam Gagner. Cote explains that this Cup will prepare him for the WHL bantam draft which will choose 250 players from throughout western North America. At the Cup tournament Cote says that there were upwards of 250 scouts watching the players from bantam teams from across Alberta.