The Nickel Centre Atom Ice Dogs are winners both on and off the ice.
They proved that by scoring 16 Marc Andre Fleury and Drew Doughty hockey sticks after batting it out against eight other hockey teams from all over Canada in the AtoMc Golden Moment website.
Team manager Steve Bangs said his kids and staff are all thrilled to have won the contest, and what makes it even more special is the fact it's a first for a Greater Sudbury team.
“Hockey has a special place in the hearts of many Canadians,” Bangs said. “To those who play, coach, volunteer, and come out to cheer, the sport is all the more dear.
“We know it is not about going out and scoring goals and winning, as it is so much more than that. Our hockey association is in and of itself, a family. Hockey brings friends together to work towards a common goal.”
The concept of the AtoMc Golden Moment website is simple enough: Kids earn a golden jersey by playing well, showing up to practice on time, and being a leader on the bench. Each player who earns a golden jersey has their photo uploaded on the website, and then its up to others to vote for them.
It's designed to encourage teams to show off their teamwork and accomplishments.
From Nov. 3 to Jan. 3, the Nickel Centre Atom Ice Dogs managed to award eight Ice Dogs, then won the contest against eight other hockey associations from all over Canada to earn the hockey sticks.
The Ice Dogs captured 3,505 votes, blasting away second-place team from the Lambton Shores Minor Hockey Association, which managed only 1,480 votes.
The Nickel Centre Atom Ice Dogs' roster includes Alex Chartier, Adasyn Radey, Aaron Valentim, Riley Lafantaisie, Julian Levac, Max Kesek, Hayden McIntyre, Noah Bangs, Gracie Boivin, Tyler Myre, Cooper Messier-Brown, Landon Milette, Kayla Walsh, Liam Buckland, Curtus Mackey and goalie Ethan Larocque.
The coaching staff is comprised of manager Steve Bangs, head coach Duarte Valentim, assisstant coaches Pat Brown and Kately Kargus and trainer Ian Larocque.
