Whitehorse’s atom development hockey team got off to a solid start in Salmon Arm, B.C., earlier this month.

The team of nine- and 10-year-olds competed in the Salmon Arm Atom Development ‘A’ Hockey Tournament Dec. 4 to 6, where they finished 2-2.

Competing as the Yukon Mustangs, the Tier 3 team took on several Tier 2 clubs, finishing tied for second place after round-robin play, but was bumped down due to goal differential.

The club eventually finished sixth out of 10 teams after losing the consolation final to Trail by a 3-2 score. Goals came from novice-aged Gavin McKenna and linemate Luke Cozens.

“Our team is fairly strong,” said head coach Derek Johnstone of choosing a Tier 2 event.

“It turned out fairly well and we matched up really well against most of the teams, so I think it was a good choice.

“I think our team will go to Tier 2 tournaments for the rest of the year.”

Johnstone said he was impressed with his club’s never-say-die attitude. The team dug out of two early holes to secure both of its wins.

The team downed Semihamoo 8-7 to open the tournament.

Ethan Candow got the game-winner, while Jonny Timmons (2), Tanner Gorrell (2), Seth Sheardown-Waugh, Tyson Matthews and Cozens also lit the lamp.

The team then beat Penticton 7-4, despite going down 4-0 early.

Goals came from Ken Stalder, Cozens (2), Gorrell, Sheardown-Waugh, Jase Johnstone and Timmons.

“It was quite the game,” said coach Johnstone. “That was one of the best games I’ve been a part of for coaching in my life. It was something to see.”

The team dropped their third game 9-5 to host Salmon Arm, however.

Goals were scored by McKenna (2), Taylor Bierlmeier, Jacob Nickel and Cozens.

Other players on the team are Chayce Tuton, Nash Holmes, Conner Henderson and Landon Cowper, while Fynn Ritchie and Ben Power split netminding duties.

Assisting Johnstone behind the bench are Whitehorse Huskies head coach Mike Tuton and Guy Gorrell.

The games were three 20-minute periods, with the first and second being played on run time.

The team will head back on the road to Squamish in February.

The development team typically competes as BMO in the local peewee house league.

About half of the current roster played on the Whitehorse Novice Junior Huskies team last season. The rest played for the Atom Mustangs.

This year, the former rep club was placed under the Whitehorse Minor Hockey Association’s care as newly formed Hockey Yukon aligned with BC Hockey, which recognizes competitive hockey as peewee and above.

Coach Johnstone hopes having this group play together early in their hockey years will be beneficial later.

“You can see the (Huskies) program helped this one out immensely,” he explained. “The core of them will gel together for the next six years.”