Golden experience for several Medicine Hat players at ball hockey nationals

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Ben Feere with his wife and kids after winning the top prize at ball hockey nationals. Submitted Photo

This was the fourth time Feere had competed at the nationals, he had won silver twice, once with the Saskatoon Buffalo in 2022, and again with the Edmonton Savages in 2023.

“Both my prior gold medal losses were against the same Brampton Midnight Express team that we beat this year so it was really sweet to finally defeat a team I had started building a real rivalry with,” Feere said.

“The excitement of doing it in overtime never gets old! I had the fortune of scoring an overtime winner 2 years ago and it’s always exciting to have a game be that close,” he added.

“The fact that we needed overtime to win two of our three playoff games this year just shows how competitive the sport truly is at this level.”

Feere said he is excited see the sport of ball hockey growing Canada wide but specifically in Medicine Hat.

“Every year we are sending more and more youth to high competition tournaments and last year our association sent its first ever adult men’s team to “B” nationals where they won a bronze medal,” Feere said.

“There’s never been a better time for people to get into the game in Medicine Hat.”

Feere was also a members of that bronze medal winning team last year.

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READ: National bronze for Medicine Hat ball hockey team (7/22/2024)

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Four Medicine Hat players from the Gas City Ball Hockey League competed at the junior national level, with three bringing home gold medals in the “B” category.

Competing at the U17 level with Team Alberta during the tournament were Jaxon Benci, Ty Hynes and Carter Allan.

Jaxon Benci, Ty Hynes and Carter Allan at the airport, as the three represented Alberta at ball hockey nationals. Submitted Photo

That team fell a game short of the finals, but Benci and Allan had the opportunity to jump up to the U19 level and play for a championship.

Team Alberta defeated Team Manitoba 7-4 to take home gold, with Allan getting an assist on a power play goal in the final game.

Allan said it was awesome to get that opportunity.

“We knew the coach for the U19 team and he just texted us and asked if we wanted to come out and play,” Allan said.

“I knew a few kids from the team from the year before and we won the gold medal, so it was pretty good.”

Benci said it was a great way to end the week.

“It was a long trip to get there and it’s nice knowing that I could still bring home a medal,” Benci said.

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Carter Allan and Jaxon Benci after winning gold with Team Alberta’s U19 team at ball hockey nationals. Submitted Photo

This was the second year at the event for Benci, a more relaxed experience this time around.

“I would say I wasn’t as nervous as last year but it was still intense,” Benci said.

“I had a better time just because I was more comfortable on the floor.”

For Allan this was his third trip to nationals winning bronze twice at the “A” level in U15 and U17 the two previous years.

“It was pretty fun having the chance to go back this year,” Allan said.

“Didn’t really have the result, but it was lots of fun and lots to learn from this year.”

This was the first trip to nationals for Ty Hynes, who’s tournament was done when the U17 team was knocked out.

He said the experience at nationals was pretty exciting.

“Flying into another city to play for and represent Alberta, I carried a lot of pride in doing that,” Hynes said.

“Meeting a lot of new faces and all of them were great people to be around made it pretty fun.”

Having familiar faces with him was also something Hynes said benefitted him.

“Having two other Medicine Hat boys there that carried some experience at nationals from years before helped me along the way to guide through the excitement and nerves of the tournament,” Hynes said.

“They are both great players so seeing them out on the floor giving everything they had for Alberta pushed me to do the same.”

Hynes did notice the competition at nationals increased from what he was used to playing.

“The competition in nationals definitely was enhanced, going into every game knowing you would go to battle against other players striving to be the best players and teams in the country,” Hynes said.

“It brings a different energy than anything else I had experienced throughout this year.”

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Gibson Studer shows off his gold medal from ball hockey nationals. Submitted Photo

The U15 level had Gibson Studer as the lone Medicine Hat player at nationals.

The Edmonton Royals team he played with defeated the Etobicoke Whalers 5-4 in the “B” gold medal game, with Studer scoring in the contest.

During his second year at the tournament Studer said he had an amazing experience.

“Gave me a lot of Deja vu from the year prior. Only this time we managed to make it out of the semi-final and come out as champions,” Studer said.

“I think this year we really figured it out as a team, which some would say was a struggle with the years prior. Bringing home the “B” gold at nationals is something I’ll never forget and I’m glad I got to do it with the guys on this team.”

Studer said his favourite part was getting to meet other players and reuniting with familiar faces.

“Some of the guys I’ve played with in past years. There was five of us that were on Team Alberta last year at nationals and joined this team and I think getting to see them again was special,” Studer said.

“I’ll always remember running around in the hotels, going to arcades, go karting and just having fun with the boys. That was my favourite part.”

Studer said he was fortunate enough to play with the same team this year at westerns in Saskatoon.

“Where we won gold and I, along with a couple of my teammates were named first team all-stars, and that was really special to be recognized for all my hard work,” Studer said.

“Hopefully I will see some of my Edmonton Royals teammates around the rinks this hockey season,” he added.

“I look forward to playing again with these teammates and coaches for future ball hockey seasons to come. Maybe bring home a few more championships.”

Studer said overall it was an honour to play.

“I was proud to represent Medicine Hat and the Gas City Ball Hockey League with the Edmonton Royals at westerns and nationals this year.”

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READ: Five Medicine Hat area players at ball hockey nationals (7/27/25)

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Coming off a silver medal representing Canada at the world level, forward Brianna Finke from Cypress County competed with the U23 Alberta female team.

The team placing fourth after losing their final game in overtime.

by Jesse Gill

Golden experience for several Medicine Hat players at ball hockey nationals

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