Senior NCMs take victory in first-ever Frosty Faceoff

The first-ever Frosty Faceoff hit the ice at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake on December 17, delivering fast-paced hockey, friendly rivalry, and a packed house at the Col J.J. Parr Sports Centre.

The inaugural matchup featured junior non-commissioned members (NCMs) from CFB Cold Lake taking on their supervisors, senior non-commissioned members, in a spirited contest played in front of a standing-room-only crowd. Before the puck dropped, 4 Wing and CFB Cold Lake Commander Colonel Mark Hickey and 4 Wing Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Carlos Oliveira addressed the crowd and welcomed everyone to the game.

Once the action got underway, fans were treated to an exciting back-and-forth affair. Both teams traded goals throughout the contest, with momentum swinging from end to end as each side pushed the pace. In the end, the senior NCMs managed to hold off a determined late surge from the junior squad, securing a narrow 6–5 victory.

Following the final buzzer, CWO Oliveira presented the most valuable player awards to standout performers from both teams. He also unveiled and awarded the newly introduced Frosty Faceoff Cup to the victorious senior NCMs, officially marking the beginning of what is expected to become a new Cold Lake holiday tradition.

The Frosty Faceoff forms part of the broader Junior Ranks’ Appreciation Dinner celebrations, which take place later in the day. The tradition of recognizing junior ranks dates back centuries. Before the introduction of mechanization and sophisticated logistics systems in the 20th century, enlisted personnel often spent long hours engaged in demanding and repetitive routines. To boost morale and show appreciation, officers organized special celebrations for enlisted members—a practice that has endured through generations. One of the most enduring of these traditions is the Junior Ranks’ Appreciation Dinner, which continues to be observed across the Canadian Armed Forces.

Hockey action at CFB Cold Lake will continue on December 18, when senior NCMs return to the ice to face off against Officers in their annual Christmas Hockey Game. The puck is set to drop at 9:50 a.m., with spectators once again welcome to attend and cheer on their teams.