Alliance Minor Hockey Association Round-Up

February 22, 2012
Posted in Ontario Edition, Minor

BY CARL CHIMENTI /

‘98 Elgin Middlesex Chiefs capture Nations Cup

The Elgin Middlesex Chiefs had to travel a long way, but in the end, it was worth it.

The Minor Bantam, Chiefs won the Nations Cup in a tournament that pits Canadian teams against American teams at the Great Lakes Sports Center in Fraser, Michigan.

“It was a very good tournament in terms of competitiveness,” said head coach Kevin Johnstone. “The format is like the Ryder Cup in golf, where the Canadian Teams play only American teams.”

The Chiefs finished first in their division with a 2-1-1 record during round robin play.

They tied the Chicago Mission, beat Belle Tire 3-0 and the Chicago Young Missions 6-4, before losing 6-3 to the Buffalo Saints. In the final, the Chiefs nipped Detroit Compuware 4-3 in an action-packed thriller to clinch the Cup for Canada.

Forward Dane Johnston, who scored the winning goal and defencemen Griffin Luce stood tall through out the three day tournament that took place Jan. 20 to 22.

 

Walter Gretzky Int’l Tournament features field of 66 teams

The 14th annual Walter Gretzky International Tournament was a big success as a field of 66 teams participated at the Wayne Gretzky Centre and Lions Park, in Brantford, Ont., Jan. 13 to 15.

“Our tournament ran divisions from Novice through Juvenile and the kids had a great time,” said tournament director, Leslie Hooton. “Walter Grezky was ever-present, greeting players and fans and helping pass out the medals in each division. His presence is always a big highlight during the tournament.”

The round robin guarantees three games for each team, with the top four teams in each division moving on to the playoffs.

Hooton says the tournament is quite popular.

“Usually, by September, the tournament is filled and through the years we could not have done it without the dedication of the recently deceased Dale Parker.”

 

Sarnia crowned Byron Optimist Cup Champions

The Sarnia Sting, Minor Midget A/AA, hockey team, minus three key players due to injuries, had enough to win the West London Byron Optimist Cup tournament that took place at the Western Fair Sports Centre, in London, Feb. 3 to 5.

Ben Garrett, Devin VanHoorn and Riley Taylor were out, but James Pavey, picked-up the slack with eight points along with Kraig Durco and Jeff Brown, contributing six points each.

Cole Thomas and Steve Taylor split the goaltending, allowing a combined seven goals in five games. After a perfect 4-0 record Sarnia advanced to the finals beating West London, 4-2.

Durco scored the eventual game winner and Brown added an insurance goal.

 

Alliance achievements

As the season winds down there are quite a few players that have had exceptional seasons.

Two players come to the forefront, Christian Mroczkowski from the Waterloo Wolves, leads the Alliance in scoring points with 45, which includes 25 goals; and London Jr. Knights Ryan Purcell leads all goaltenders with the best record, 13-0-0.

 

February & March Tournament Previews

Here are a few important dates and tournaments to mark down on your hockey calendar:

The 10th annual Oakridge Classic Tournament is set to go Feb. 17 to 19, at both the Western Fair Sports Centre and the Kinsmen Ice Arena, in London. “We have a total of 114 teams from Minor Novice to Midget, with a three-game guarantee and playoffs,” said Tournament Director, Pat Caron

The Tyke Select Classic Tournament, will take place for 2004s, Feb. 24 to 26, at the St. Thomas Timken Community Centre, in St. Thomas, Ont. “We have 28 teams participating, with two preliminary round games and a team’s standing based on total points,” explains Lisa Smith. “The point system is two points per win, one point per tie and one point awarded to the team that scores the most goals during a period of each game.”

The third annual Kevin Fegan Memorial Tournament will be held March 12 to 14, at the Seymour-Hannah Sportsplex Complex, in St. Catharines, Ont. There is a three-game minimum, and there will be mementos for all the players and trophies to the winners.

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