After competing against each other for the duration of the hockey season, a group of players in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) are coming together to represent the region in the 2015 OHL Cup.
The process to select Team NOHA began in August with the U-15 Camp in Sudbury, and continued through the first two months of the season. The team has since took part in other training camps, games and tournaments, building up for the big showcase, being held March 17-23 in Toronto.
The OHL Cup features the top 20 minor midget AAA teams from Ontario and the United States. It's the last chance for scouts to see those players who are eligible for the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.
Bradley Chenier, a forward with the Sudbury Minor Midget AA Wolves, is hoping he'll get noticed.
“There's a lot of people watching,” he said, at a press conference to introduce the team Tuesday morning. “It's the best kids in Ontario and it's really good that we're getting that exposure.”
He admitted the team will have its work cut out for the tournament, competing against teams who have been playing together for the entire season.
“This is probably the hardest working team I've been with,” Chenier said. “We don't quit at all and I have a feeling the other teams are going to collapse with our pressure and aggressiveness.”
Rod MacKenzie, the head coach of the Nickel City Sons Major Peewee AAA team, is stepping into the head role with Team NOHA for the first time this year. His focus is on the players' development, rather than returning home as champions.
“We try to prepare them the best we can, but overall, you're trying to take 19 kids from six or seven different clubs, with everyone playing different systems — for sure it's a disadvantage,” he said.
“Most of the kids play against each other, so they're familiar with who's who, but it's just trying to get them on the same page and playing as teammates for a short time.
“Yeah, we're behind the eight ball with certain things, but that doesn't excuse work ethic,” he continued. “We're trying to implement that we believe that if we show up, work hard, give our heart game in and game out, that's we'll compete and hopefully stay in every game and maybe win the odd game.”
Team NOHA will compete in a pool with the Toronto Marlboros (GTHL champions), Ottawa Jr. 67’s (OEMHL finalist), Halton Hurricanes (OMHA championship bronze) and a wild card team.
They played their first game this morning at 10:45 a.m., then again tonight at 8:45 p.m. Their final round-robin game takes place at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
To follow the action, visit ohlcup.ca.
Team NOHA roster:
Sudbury Wolves Minor Midget AA
Justin Richer, Brendon Clavelle, Ryan O'Bonsawin, Bradley Chenier, Nick Chokan, Felix Cote, Keegan Gillis-McAnulty, Karter Renouf and Daniel Walker
Soo Greyhounds Minor Midget AA
Garrett Boyonoski, Justin Ryyppo, Zachary Taylor, Max Khull, Steven Khull, Lucas Stefano, Gage Stephney and Mark Tassone.
North Bay Trappers Midget AAA
Eric Allair
Hearst Elans Midget AA
Maxim Lacroix
