RED DEER - While members of the Greig family are no strangers to hockey accolades, brother and sister Ridly and Dara can now say they’ve made Hockey Alberta history.
With Ridly skating for Team Alberta’s U16 team at the 2017 WHL Cup, and Dara (for the second year) playing for the U18 squad at the 2017 U18 Nationals, the pair became the first brother and sister to play for Team Alberta at the same time.
“It’s been neat to share the Hockey Alberta process together, and to share and trade stories throughout the process,” said Dara. “It’s really cool to learn that we are the first brother and sister to represent Alberta in the same year, it’s something we can share for a lifetime.”
“I’ve enjoyed that Dara and I can talk about the experiences we’ve (both) had in making Team Alberta,” said Ridly. “To know that we are the first brother and sister to represent (Alberta) has been awesome.”
The apple apparently doesn’t fall far from the tree, as Ridly and Dara’s father, Mark, is a former professional hockey player. Drafted 15th overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, the former WHL standout is a veteran of over 1000 games as a pro, including 125 in the NHL.
“What a great honour for them to both have the opportunity, and be fortunate enough to make the teams,” said Mark. “They’ve talked about that in the past that they may have the experience together, and (we) feel pretty fortunate that it came true.”
With Dara already going through the Team Alberta process in 2016, Ridly was able to lean on his older sister and draw from her experience during his journey to the WHL Cup.
“The best advice Dara has given me regarding the Team Alberta process was the make sure I was prepared physically and mentally for all of the camps, prior to being selected.”
Prior to Ridly and Dara both being named to their respective Team Alberta rosters, the Greigs experienced another memorable hockey moment when Ridly won the 2017 Alberta Cup with Team South, exactly 30 years after Mark won the 1987 Alberta Cup with Calgary North.
“It’s great that years and years later, after I had such a wonderful experience, that this Hockey Alberta program is still going strong, and providing these experiences for the kids,” said Mark.
Ridly and Team Alberta narrowly missed out on a gold medal at the WHL Cup in October, losing 3-2 to Team BC in overtime. Meanwhile, Dara will be playing in the fifth-place game on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the U18 Nationals in Quebec, after Team Alberta finished round-robin play with a 1-2 record.
Hockey Alberta is proud to unveil a new section at hockeyalberta.ca. Home Ice Feature stories will focus on interesting stories about the individuals and groups who make a difference within the hockey community in Alberta. If you have a suggestion for a Home Ice Feature story, email [email protected].
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