Photo by Jack Clark
Photo by Jack Clark

Adam Smith, an Idyllwild eighth-grader being home-schooled through Creekside Christian Academy, plays for the Wildcats Hockey Club, with home games in Riverside. The Wildcats are an advanced travel ice hockey team that plays all over Southern California, from San Diego to Ventura.

Adam began his hockey career at the L.A. Kings Icetown hockey academy in Riverside. After six seasons of in-house hockey and two seasons in  peewee league play with the Wildcats, Adam has moved up to the bantam level, which is the first age group in which players are allowed to check other players. “This will be a new challenge for me and I am looking forward to it,” said Adam.

Adam and the Wildcats play in a four-round Labor Day Invitational tournament this weekend at Icetown Riverside, located at 10540 Magnolia. The Wildcats games are scheduled for 5:20 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, 8 a.m. Saturday, Sep. 3, and Sunday, Sep. 4, two games at 12:15 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. The two top tournament teams play off for the championship on Monday. Why not plan to see hockey for a fun and different outing this weekend?

Youth travel hockey is a high-cost sport. Several Idyllwild businesses and individuals already have stepped forward as sponsors to help defray Adam’s costs. The Town Crier has further information for all those interested.