A group in Sylvan Lake is starting a senior AA men's hockey team to play in the North Central Hockey League.

They've already decided that the team will be named, the Sylvan Lake Pirates and are currently registering to become a non-profit organization.

Curtis Klein is one of the team’s founders and will be its first president. According to him, a town like Sylvan Lake is ripe for high-calibre hockey.

A 'hockey town'

Currently, the highest level the game is played, is midget AA, he says.

Logo for the Sylvan Lake Pirates, a senior men's AA team in the works. (Sylvan Lake Pirates Senior AA Hockey)

“(There are) a lot of people who are involved in hockey, played really great hockey. There’s no reason we can’t provide this town with something to get behind … and not have to drive to Red Deer or Eckville,” said Klein.

“I just hope that we’re a team that they can be proud of. I’d like the players to be role models for younger kids around town, just be a positive influence all around in the community. My idea when I started this, is I want this to be the town’s team.”

Klein says he hopes the team will play out of the town’s NexSource Centre, which features two NHL-sized surfaces, one which comes with seating for 720 spectators. He says ice bookings start in June.

Hockey Alberta governs senior hockey, which is open to players of any age. Klein says people can expect players who’ve skated at Junior B ranks, all the way up to the professional level.

He adds they are currently searching for the team’s first coach.