Hockey season is well underway. Teams across the country are taking to the ice, competing to become champions. But there isn't a single goal for the Valley Wildcats; there are three because the Wildcats are made up of three different teams: the Major Bantam, Major Midget and Junior A programs.
The Junior A's are the newest piece of the Wildcats organization, now in their seventh season in the Maritime Hockey League. The team features players as old as 20, and from across Canada.
Robbie Dowell is a second year Junior A Wildcat. The Middleton native says there's a good energy at the rink.
“We want to win games for the fans so we're coming with work boots on every day,” says Dowell. The 18-year-old isn't someone who backs away from doing the tough jobs.
“Last year I tried to play a skill role, but it's a big jump from Midget, so you really have to mix it up. I guess this year I'm going to be a bit of a more chippy player and get the garbage goals.”
Dowell is one of a handful of local Valley players with the Junior A team. Most Junior players live with billets, or a host family, during the season, but Dowell can stay at home. He did have a billet family while at training camp with the QMJHL's Acadie Bathurst Titan.
“My billets in Bathurst were great. I stayed with the same family I billeted with last year so I already had a bond with them. Last year they came all the way to Pictou (County) to watch me play.”
Colby Ramsey is now in his third year as a member of the Major Midget roster. The 17-year-old from Nicholsville will be counted on as a leader for the Kohltech Major Midgets this season, and is a type of player who can be leaned on by the coaching staff in all situations.
“I bring a lot of speed and pace, and a lot of physical play as well,” says Ramsey. “I like to work hard and give all I've got on the ice.”
Of course, not all players have the experience of Ramsey or Dowell.
Fourteen-year-old Matt Churchill is playing his second season of Bantam hockey, but his first with the Kings Mutual Major Bantam Wildcats. The Cambridge native played minor hockey in the lower divisions, but with hard work, played his way up to Major Bantam.
“Last year I played Bantam AA,” says Churchill. “Our coach was Mike Ennis. He was a really good coach. He helped me out a lot, helped me with my skating and shooting, and I think that's why I'm playing Major Bantam this year.”
Churchill, who like most Wildcats has been playing hockey since he was just a few years old, jokes that he doesn't really have any hobbies besides hockey.
“I'm just working on school, studying and just trying to do as well as I can.”
All three Wildcats clubs play their home games at the Kings Mutual Century Centre in Berwick.
