In its 46th year, Esso Minor Hockey Week takes over the city of Calgary. This mural welcomes players and fans into the Max Bell Centre where families are gathering throughout the week to support their athletes. Photo by Melanie Walsh

At the end of the week, 70 champions are crowned as they win the title for best minor hockey team in their division. The Southwest Cougar Atom 9 won their semifinal game on Thursday and goes for gold on Saturday Jan. 16. Photo by Melanie Walsh

The Max Bell Centre is one of 48 arenas that houses dozens of games this past week. The recreation facility has two rinks, both with great spectator viewing and is easily accessible to many teams with its southeast location. Photo by Melanie Walsh

The Burke family has come to the right place as there will be approximately 1500 hours of ice time during the week. Heather Burke is the team manager. After living in Texas, the family including son Jake, 15, is happy to be back on Canadian ice. “In Houston, hockey is sort of a fringe sport so my son grew up playing there and when we came back to Canada, these kids had been playing for years and years and knew each other really well and we were the newcomers,” said Burke, adding that hockey has been “a great way to get to know parents and understand how hockey is done in Calgary. It was a great way to get involved. My husband is actually the goalie coach.” Photo by Melanie Walsh

Head coach Angus Jenkins (far left) is one of 2600 coaches guiding players throughout the tournament. Jenkins participated in Esso Minor Hockey week when he was younger and is happy to be heading to the finals. His team, the Southwest Cougars Atom 9, have won every single game and remained in the A bracket. “We expected to do really well, we’ve been riding a multi-game winning streak coming into the tournament ... our play has probably exceeded our expectations,” said Jenkins. Photo by Melanie Walsh

The tournament provides 11,000 kids the opportunity to have some fun while participating in competitive action. “It’s really nice for the kids to be able to go and see all the different rinks around the city,” said Sean Fyfe, assistant coach for the Southwest Atom 9 team. “You have to win to go on, it’s really exciting for everybody, parents, kids, brothers and sisters.” said Fyfe, whose son Liam, #9, plays defence. Photo by Melanie Walsh

Many pucks are dropping in the 915 games scheduled for the week, making Esso Minor Hockey Week the largest tournament of its kind. Photo by Melanie Walsh

Stripes play a big role in Esso Minor Hockey Week, with 72 officials refereeing the games. Chris Brown braces himself as he attentively officiates the semi-final game of Midget Rec A between the RHC Ducks and RHC Rangers. With so many games during the week, officials get few breaks between games. Photo by Melanie Walsh

With 650 teams participating, the schedule was jam-packed for the week. Despite an active evening game, right-winger Josceh Ladlac and his dad, with team jerseys in hand, leave the rink shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday evening. Ladlanc was proud of himself for scoring a hat trick during the tournament. Photo by Melanie Walsh

Organizers say it took 4000 volunteers to make the tournament a success. Matthew Hayson helps out in the penalty box, tracking stats on the score sheet during his son’s game. Hayson and son William love hockey and how it brings the family together. “Hockey is in our blood,” says the proud father. Photo by Melanie Walsh