On Friday, Dec. 7, Asessippi Ski Area and Resort is opening for their 20th season in business after significant renovations. Over the last three years, Asessippi has invested over $1.5 million in resources to turn their park into a four-season resort. They’ve added new activities, renovated the lodge, improved the rental processes to cut down wait-times, made it possible to buy lift passes online and upgraded their snowmaking equipment to a cutting-edge system, guaranteeing the freshest powder on the slopes in Manitoba. “We’re invested in making Asessippi an amazing place to visit for years to come. The last 20 years are something to celebrate, and we look forward to making this our best season yet,” says Daymon Guillas, President of Asessippi Ski Area and Resort. “We’ve made it so everyone can enjoy the resort year-round, even if they don’t ski or snowboard!” Asessippi’s full list of winter activities includes: Skiing Snowboarding Tubing Kiteboarding Snow biking Snowshoeing Snow skating (new!) To celebrate their 20th season, Asessippi is rolling out a retro campaign and offering deals from another decade throughout the season.

Brandon product Calen Addison was one of the thirty-four players that received an invite to the national junior selection hockey camp.  The 5'10", 180lb defensemen has registered 28 points in 27 games to date this season.  Addison was drafted 53rd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2018 draft.  He is one of 12 defenseman that have been invited to the selection camp taking place Dec. 11-14 in Victoria, B.C.  The  2019 IIHF World Junior Championships are being held in Vancouver from Dec. 26-Jan. 5. Two other Manitoban's also received invites; Winnipeg's Cody Glass and Roblin's Josh Brook.  Glass was drafted in in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Vegas Golden Knights while Brook is a draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens.

You can kick off your Christmas shopping season with a perfect stocking-stuffer when a selection of single-draw tickets for the 2019 Tim Hortons Brier, presented by AGI, in Brandon goes on sale Thursday. The 2019 Canadian Men’s Curling Championship is scheduled for March 2-10 at Westoba Place in Brandon, bringing together the country’s top men’s curling teams under one roof in pursuit of the most famous trophy in the sport. Demand is high for tickets, so you’d better act quickly when sales open for this new offer Thursday at 10 a.m. CT. Here’s a look and what will be offered: Weekday Mornings (Monday to Wednesday): $22.50 Weekday Afternoons (Monday to Wednesday) $27.50 Sunday and Weekday Evenings (Monday to Wednesday): $32.25 Championship Pool Afternoon (Thursday): $32.25 Premium Opening Day (Saturday) and Championship Pool Evening (Thursday): $35 Other options include day packages starting at $59, the opening weekend package for $119, and the championship weekend package at $229. Full event packages are also still available. A special offer for youth ages 17 and under is also being introduced on Thursday.  Youth tickets for Draws 1 through 17 are priced at $15 (fees and taxes included). All prices are per ticket and, other than the youth tickets, are subject to standard facility and ticket service fees, and are available at the Westoba Place Box Office, online at curling.ca/tickets or by calling 204-726-3555. Remaining single-draw tickets, for the championship pool round-robin games on Friday as well as for the closing weekend playoff games, will go on sale Jan. 17. Team Manitoba fans can plan around the round-robin schedule for the first few days of the 2019 Tim Hortons Brier. Once the preliminary round is complete and the top four teams from each pool move into the Championship Pool, the remainder of the schedule will be set. The home-province team will play in the opening draw on Saturday, March 2, and also will be featured in Draws 3 and 5 (both on Sunday), 7 (on Monday), 9 and 11 (both on Tuesday) and 13 (on Wednesday). Once the provincial/territorial champions are set, the seedings will be determined for the two eight-team pools — one of which will feature two-time defending champion Brad Gushue and his Team Canada foursome from St. John’s. In addition to being a part of the world’s most famous curling competition inside Westoba Place, you’ll also be a part of the world’s most famous curling party, the Patch — just a short covered walk away from the arena at the adjacent Manitoba Room at the Keystone Centre, where you can check out live music, have a meal and mingle with players and fellow fans from all over Canada. Keep checking  www.curling.ca/2019brier for all event updates, including volunteer signup, new ticket offers, team announcements and the event schedule when it is set. Those wishing to volunteer can register at www.curling.ca/volunteer to stay up to date on volunteer opportunities. TSN/RDS2 will provide complete coverage of every draw at the 2019 Tim Hortons Brier.

Ali O'Hara, of the Westman AAA Wildcats, has committed to join the Minot State Women's Hockey team, starting next season.  O'Hara, who lists Connor McDavid as her favorite player, has registered 19 points in 20 games this season for the Wildcats.   The Minot State University Women's Hockey program will compete in ACHA Women's Division 1 starting with the 2019-2020 season. They currently play in the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

Story:Submitted The U16 Brandon Blizzards came away with gold after an exciting 7-2 victory over the Park City Wildcats in the Brandon Ringette Tournament final. Brandon started the tournament with a 7-2 win over the Red River Royal Rage.  They booked their ticket straight to the final with a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over Park City on Saturday night in a very physical, fast paced game. In the gold medal game, the stands were full in anticipation of a repeat of the overtime match. Brandon’s defence were the key to victory, as the Wildcats came out firing on all cylinders. The defence core of Bree Pringle, Jenna Wollman, Kate Bell and Erica Brake all played important roles in keeping Park City shooters off of the scoresheet early in the game.  And goaltender Emily Robb was cool and calm in making 42 saves.  Blizzards were led by Jasmine Horwood with 4 goals and Jordyn Rolling with 3.   Brandon took a 3-1 lead into the second half.  Goals by Horwood and Rolling 46 seconds apart early in the second period helped the Blizzards secure the win.