Need a break from Christmas shopping? Time to catch your breath from the pandemonium of the holiday season?
Fear not, there’s always sports for the win!
Here’s a look at some of the sporting competition – including a lot of hockey – taking place in the Calgary area over the holidays:
CIRCLE K CLASSIC: The under 18 AAA hockey tournament returns for its 46th year. It runs from Dec. 27 to Jan. 1 at Calgary’s Max Bell Arena and the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex. The action-packed event, running from 10 am through 10 pm each day, features 32 teams, including four Calgary-based host teams. Find out more: https://www.circlekclassic.ca.
FLAMES: The Flames welcome the Boston Bruins to the Scotiabank Saddledome at 7 pm on Tuesday, Dec. 17, followed by the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Dec. 19. The homestand continues with a matinee matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks at 2 pm on Saturday, Dec. 21. The Flames close out their 2024 schedule with a New Year’s Eve game against one of their major rivals, the Vancouver Canucks. That Tuesday, Dec. 31 contest has a 7 pm puck drop. Calgary opens 2025 with a pair of home games: Thursday, Jan. 2 against the Utah Hockey Club at 7 pm, followed by an 8 pm tilt versus the Nashville Predators on Saturday, Jan. 4.
HITMEN: The Western Hockey League is also in action at the Scotiabank Saddledome, with the Hitmen hosting the Prince Albert Raiders on Wednesday, Dec. 18 and the Medicine Hat Tigers on Sunday, Dec. 29. Their first home date of 2025 is a Sunday, Jan. 5 game against the Regina Pats.
WRANGLERS: The ‘Dome remains busy with American Hockey League competition, as well. The Wranglers face off against the Henderson Silver Knights on Dec. 20 and Dec. 22. Then the Abbotsford Canucks come to Cowtown on Dec. 30 and Jan. 1. The Wranglers follow that up with a two-game home series against the Manitoba Moose on Jan. 3 and Jan. 5.
CANUCKS: Over at Ken Bracko Arena, the Canucks welcome the Grande Praire Storm for a pair of Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) contests on Dec. 20 and Dec. 22. The Bonnyville Pontiacs visit Calgary on Jan. 4, followed by the Drumheller Dragons on Jan. 5.
ROUGHNECKS: The home opener for the Roughnecks – of the National Lacrosse League – takes place on Saturday, Dec. 28 when the Vancouver Warriors visit the Dome.
UNIVERSITY SPORTS: Several different university sports are in action in early January. Happening on Jan. 2 and Jan. 3, the University of Calgary women’s basketball squad hosts UBC Okanagan … Mount Royal University’s men’s and women’s hockey teams have home-and-home games against the University of Calgary Dinos on Jan. 3 and Jan. 4 … Wrestling fans can take in the Dinos Cup (Jan. 3) and the Jurassic Classic (Jan. 4) at the University of Calgary’s Red Gym … The Jack Simpson Open – held at the University of Calgary’s Jack Simpson Gym – takes place on Jan. 5, for those seeking track-and-field competition.