By Dan Plouffe
From trading pins with foreign friends to playing for division championships on the Ottawa Senators’ ice at Scotiabank Place, local hockey teams created a new truckload of lasting memories at this year’s Bell Capital Cup.
“A lot of guys who are now playing in the National Hockey League have fond memories of it,” notes Mike Eastwood, a former NHLer himself who coached the Kanata Blazers to the final of the Minor Atom ‘AAA’ competition. “For these kids, they know all that and they grew up in Kanata with this tournament right before their eyes every Christmas and now they get a chance to play in it.
“To make it to the finals is something they’re going to take with them and remember for the rest of their lives.”
Arenas across the city were buzzing throughout the Dec. 28-Jan. 1 event as 410 Atom and Peewee-aged teams competed in 19 divisions at the 13th-annual tournament, including a record 15 teams from overseas who were all hosted by local participants.
Parents of the Carleton Place Atom House ‘B’ Kings who billeted the Korean Eagles found themselves cheering just as hard for their guests as they were for their own kids.
Despite living half a world apart, the connection between the young players was instant as they bonded with tobogganing, video games and mini-sticks, note Carleton Place hosts Eric and Cynthia Belliveau.
“I think it’s really the start of something that will last beyond just the week they’re here,” says Eric, whose son Alexandre roomed with Eagles players Dong Hyun Shin and Se Hyeon Yi.
And of course there was the action on the ice as teams played multiple games each day, plus all-star contests and skills competitions.
“The organizers do a great job,” salutes Ottawa West Golden Knights coach Rob Vandenberg, whose Minor Peewee ‘A’ team played in one of two division finals that were decided in overtime. “It’s really well-run and it’s a highlight of the season every year.”
The Nepean Raiders won the highest level championship out of area teams by capturing the Minor Peewee ‘AAA’ division crown, while the Stittsville Rams were best in the Major Atom ‘B’ event.
Backed by William Anderson in goal, Nepean’s defence then took over with three consecutive shutouts over Ottawa Valley, Quinte and Upper Ottawa Valley in the playoff round to claim the championship title.
Justin Barstead scored the game-winner and added two assists in the 4-0 final, while Matthew Bidin scored twice as well.
Stittsville won its championship with a 4-2 victory over Kitchener, while Osgoode-Rideau and Richmond West Carleton were semi-finalists in the same Major Atom ‘B’ division.
Carver Ward and Jackson McElheran were the overtime heroes in the quarter-final and semi-final rounds, while Christopher Roy was in on each Rams goal in the final, scoring two himself and assisting on the two others.
Visit SportsOttawa.com’s special Bell Capital Cup page for more coverage.