By Daniel Nugent-Bowman /
ODMHA gives AAA the green light
AAA hockey in Ottawa is officially moving forward.
The Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association awarded the Ontario East Minor Hockey League’s loop full-fledged status at a meeting on Jan. 30, starting next season.
The unanimous decision signals the end of a three-year trial run for the level and allows for the possibility to expand.
“For this (upcoming) year, we’ll probably try to go with the same levels as we had last year, trying to move into major peewee in the near future,” ODMHA president Mike Depratto said.
He added that the major peewee division would most likely be added for the 2011/12 season because a lot of ice time has already been booked for next year.
In addition, Depratto cited the Major Midget level as a cause for concern because a lot of the most talented players are choosing to play Junior hockey for notoriety and cost reasons.
Rangers enjoy Winter Games experience
The Gloucester Rangers’ Peewee AAs may have left the Ontario Winter Games empty-handed, but they also left with a smile on their faces.
Even though the team skated to an 0-2-1 record at the event – which was held March 4 to 7 in Gravenhurst, Ont. – the coaching staff felt the Rangers played well.
“We did fairly well as a team in AA that was competing in a AAA tournament,” head coach Peter Nooyen said, while adding that his squad nearly reached the medal round in the eight-team competition. “We were happy with our result.”
The Rangers advanced to the tournament after winning the Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association qualifying tournament on Dec. 21 at the Walkley Arena, which allowed them to face off against the top teams from other associations in Ontario.
“I was really impressed with the whole Winter Games,” Nooyen said. “Everything was perfectly planned, the meals for the kids were great, and the accommodations were out of this world. All the kids got treated first class.
“I had an expectation when I went there, and it exceeded it when I left.”
Atoms team up for Haiti
The Ottawa Silver Seven White Atoms teamed up with the Gloucester Rangers to raise almost $6,000 for the Canadian Red Cross towards the Haiti Relief Fund.
The teams fundraised by collecting online pledges from family and friends, plus conducting game-day silent auctions, donation and raffle drives.
Their donation was matched by the Canadian government.
Sens surviving scares in Bantam division
With their regular season crown locked up for ages, the Ottawa Senators were the team to heading into the bantam AAA playoffs.
The Sens finished the regular season with a 21-2-5 mark, 19 points ahead of the second-place Upper Canada Cyclones in the Ontario East Minor Hockey League.
However the playoffs have proved to be a bit tougher.
The Sens knocked off the Ottawa Jr. 67’s in six games in their semifinal series and then fell behind 2-0 in the championship match up against the Cyclones.
The Sens won the next three contests before attempting the wrap the series up on Mar. 15.
Bursary program to help Midgets
Two Midget players in the Ontario East Minor Hockey League will soon be getting a little financial assistance when they head off to pursue higher learning next year.
The league will award two $500 bursaries to players who exhibit academic excellence, community involvement, role model characteristics, on-ice work ethic and display of team and individual skills, positive attitude, and demonstration of career planning.
Three players from each of the five teams were nominated by their respective coaches. Winners will be announced before the end of the season. |