Whitehorse Daily Star

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TEAMMATES – Top row, left to right: coach Tony Walsh, Corey Roberts, Kadan Kormendy, Riley Bedard, Kole Smeeton, Tyler Egglestone, Andrew Glada and coach Peter Harris. Middle row: Damian Homis, Jack Woodwalker, Tristan Miller, Ben McClelland, Nick Light, Zach Giczi, Trenton Dupont and Nick Dobush. Bottom: goalies Josh Tetlichi and Trevor Harris.

Pee Wee B Mustangs win first Outside tournament

The Pee Wee B Mustangs' team work on and off the ice helped them come away with a first place finish in Fort Nelson last weekend.

By Annalee Grant on January 18, 2010

The Pee Wee B Mustangs' team work on and off the ice helped them come away with a first place finish in Fort Nelson last weekend.

The Mustangs won three of their four games at the Pee Wee House Tournament, held Jan. 8 to 10, giving them the top spot.

This was the Pee Wee B team's first tournament outside of Whitehorse, and the coaches had no idea how the boys would do.

"We really didn't know what to expect from the other teams in the tournament,” said Kyla Smeeton, a parent of one of the players who helps manage the team.

Coaches Peter Harris and Tony Walsh got to see a great example of team work, and a first place finish.

"I can tell you that this years' Pee Wee B Mustangs team is a true Team,” said Smeeton. "All of the boys not only play hockey together, but look out for each other and are good friends off of the ice.”

When not playing hockey, the boys often volunteer together around the community.

They spent part of their Christmas holidays that way.

"These boys have done fund-raising together and have contributed to the community on their own personal time by offering helping hands at the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter,” said Smeeton.

Their time off the ice together is teaching them to be a good example for others, Smeeton said.

"These boys are not only being taught how to be good team players but also how to be good role models for the kids starting out in hockey and how to be true to the community they live in,” she said. "They are thankful for the opportunities given to them from the support of the community.”

The team's main sponsor is Steven's Construction, but funding also comes from Ultimate Construction, Canada Flooring and Northwestel.

The boy's relationship off the ice has helped them work together when they are playing hockey, especially at this tournament.

The final game was played against Fort St. John Shoppers Drug Mart, who the Mustangs had been beaten by earlier in the tournament.

"Our boys went out there and worked as a solid team,” said Smeeton.

She said the boys were helped by their coaches, Harris and Walsh, who kept their moods up.

"The coaches, Tony Walsh and Peter Harris kept the boys pumped and believing in themselves throughout each and every game,” said Smeeton. "It was wonderful to see the high level of respect the boys have for the coaches both on and off the ice.”

After beating the Fort Nelson Fury 6-3 in their first game, the Mustangs lost to Shopper's Drug Mart 3-2.

"The boys shook that off and won the next game against the other Ft. St. John team, Tom's Construction,” said Smeeton.

After that game, the boys were faced with that same Shoppers Drug Mart team that had beat them the day before.

"The boys knew it was gonna be a close call,” said Smeeton. "They walked out of that change room full of excitement and determination with every parent high-fiving in support.”

That attitude continued through the game, and although the score was very close, the Mustangs won 4-3.

"They played their hearts out,” said Smeeton. "What a game.”

Before the game, as the coaches finished their pep talk, Smeeton said the boys hit the ice to AC/DC's song TNT, which was appropriate for how they played.

"The buzzer went and the boys threw their gloves in the air. The pressure was over and they won the fight. They were dynamite,” said Smeeton. "You would have thought we were in the NHL; it was that exciting.”

Because of their success at the tournament, the boys may now have a chance of participating in the provincials in March, but Smeeton said it will depend on the cost.

"We will have to wait and see if we can swing it financially,” she said. "No other team of kids deserves it more than these boys. What a great bunch of kids.”

Comments (1)

Up 0 Down 0

Daryn on Jan 18, 2010 at 8:49 am

Congratulations! Good work, boys.

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