Havre's Roberts, Staples compete at national hockey tournaments

Two Havre hockey players left the state this week to compete at separate national tournaments, one in Orlando, Florida, the other in Frisco, Texas.

Bridger Staples and Ethan Roberts, both Havre Ice Hawks, also are on teams with the Montana Thunderblades, select state hockey teams.

Staples traveled to Orlando this week to compete with the Thunderblades U14 team at the national tournament, while Roberts went to Frisco with the Thunderblades U16 team.

In the first round of play Thursday, the U-14 team lost to the Portland Junior Winterhawks 3-8.

The U-16 team lost to the Nevada Storm 0-4 Thursday.

The Thunderblades bring players from across the state together to train and compete as a team, traveling around the nation to compete against other top-level teams, withcompetition this year including games in Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Denver and Boise, Idaho.