Alberton peewee team hopes to win Good Deeds Cup

The AlbertonRegals are finalists for the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup as representatives of P.E.I.

The national competition awards the trophy to the peewee hockey team that contributes the most to their community away from the rink.

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The Regalsgot involved after their coach Mitch Illsley heard about the contest from the president of the AlbertonMinor Hockey Association.

"It would be great for Alberton," he said. "It's such a great community, everybody is so close together."

Growing pains

Two years agothe kids were on the ice four times with no guidance because the team didn't have a coach.

Illsleystepped up andvolunteeredto lead them. "It's definitely been a struggle," he said of his time since taking the helm.

"We made it through last year, and learned a lot of things along the way, and this year here, we definitely had another hurdle"

This season the team was short of players and needed a goalie. After solving the first problem, they found a keeper who played far above his age range.

"He was playing against kids, some of them five years older than him," Illsleysaid.

Charitable deeds

To be eligible for the cup, teams have to do at least one charitable work in the community.

For the Regals, this was a day of collecting non-perishable food items door-to-door.

The team collected $1,300 worth of foodanddonated it to the Caring Cupboard in West Prince.

As finalists they have already beenawarded $2,000 for the team and $7,000 for the charity of their choice.

What's at stake?

If the Regals win at the cup they would win another $15,000 for the charity of their choice, $10,000 for the team and$5,000 each for the AlbertonMinor Hockey Association andHockey P.E.I.

They have decided to donate $3,000 of the team's winnings to charity as well.

The winning squad will get a visit from former NHL player Ryan Smythduring a live broadcast on Sportsnet during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"Going through the whole voting process it's amazing to see how the community comes together," said Illsley.

"It would be great for the community. And the kids, they'll never forget it."

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