The Southern Tier Admirals, Burlington Eagles, Oakville Rangers and Halton Hurricanes, one-through-four in the league standings continued their sharp play with each club earning a 2-0 record on the weekend of January 28-29 at the OMHA Showcase in St. Catharines.
Ten teams from the South Central AAA league (SCTA) minor midget AAAs battled head-to-head in a series of games in front of pro, junior and university scouts at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre on Saturday and Sunday. The event was a preview of some top picks in this spring’s Ontario Hockey League and, in a few short years, the National Hockey League draft.
The OMHA is a premier player development league; and several recent alumni were named to the NHL All-Star teams this past weekend Stamkos (player-association) (Markham), James Neal (Whitby), Corey Perry (Peterborough), Cody Hodgson (Markham), Brian Campbell (Strathroy), Dan Girardi (Welland), Brian Elliott (York Simcoe), Tyler Seguin (Whitby) and Matt Read (Ingersoll).
The weekend game results are available on the OMHA’s website: http://omha.net/standings/display_standings_stats.asp?did=1510&lid=101
The event also featured an information session about competition and life in the OHL and OUA where more than 400 for players and their families attended to better understand their options ahead.
“I really liked the information session,” said Hamilton Jr. Bulldog centre and Ancaster resident Connor Murphy. “It was a great session overall. The OMHA did a good job. I just want to play the highest level possible.”
Matt Schmalz of the Southern Tier Admirals (Welland) can’t wait for a shot at playing junior hockey, and didn’t mind the intense scrutiny from a large number of scouts. “It is just like any other game. I think of them as family and friends and just play my game. If something good happens from them seeing me then that's great.” The Dunnville native has his sights set on junior hockey next. “I would love to go to the OHL. I have talked to a few people and they think this is the best route for me.”
“I'm just focusing on my game and keeping my play simple. I don't let who's watching affect my game. I just want to focus on the task at hand,” said Ancaster native David Eccles, a defender with the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs. “I would love to play in the OHL and get to that next level.”
Patrick Sanvido, a defender playing for his hometown Guelph Jr. Storm felt the presence of scouts, and just tried to forget they were there. “You know they are there. I try not to think about it. I just have fun and play my game. It would be cool to go to the next level. I just want to play hockey and have fun.”
