Coaches, players, and officials from the Airdrie U18 CFR Bisons are sure to be disappointed after a tournament that they've been a part of for years was cancelled this season because of uncertainty over COVID-19.  

The Mac's Tournament Committee has cancelled the event which has been held in Calgary from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 since 1978. 

In a release, tournament chair Larry Herbison stated,"The social responsibility in regards to the safety of the participants, volunteers, spectators, and facility staff is one of the prime factors for this decision.  The challenges for International teams participation Western Canadian teams and associated hotels and team logistics while maintaining the current guidelines associate with COVID-19 could not be met to ensure the safety of everyone."

Herbison says they're looking forward to putting on an even better tournament in 2021-2022.

The tournament attracts an elite international selection of teams and is heavily scouted by post-secondary institutions, junior teams and professional leagues.

The Bisons have been part of the tournament even prior to relocating to Airdrie from Strathmore in 2017. 

Cochrane players are among those on the team, that's overseen by the Airdrie-Cochrane Athletic Association.

During the 2018-2019 tourney, the Bisons advanced to the quarter-finals and lost a close one to the Saskatoon Blazers, 5-4.