It's not hockey. It's not hockey. 

Lacombe Ringette's president Chris Huston insists that besides the fact both are played on skates and ice, their sport is much different, placing a greater importance on skating and passing.

"Ringette is really focused on teaching kids to skate and pass the ring. We play almost like a basketball flow. When you get to the later ages, it's three-on-three in the zone near the nets. And for older ages there's a shot clock, to keep play going so it doesn't get dominated in one end or another," Huston said.

Yesterday, the association invited kids to try out the game at the sportsplex. About 16 showed up. Huston said the hope is they will like the sport enough to sign up for the season.

So far, 112 have registered, he said.

Huston said Lacombe has been a hotbed for the sport, sending players to the university, national and world levels.

"For some reason in Lacombe, it is very popular. Ringette has been popular for 40-plus years," he said.