Thanks to the Atom LL Fans, News, Atom LL, U11, 2008-2009 (Blyth Brussels Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2008-2009 season, which is not set as the current season.
News Article
News Article Image
Mar 09, 2009 | Rob Gordon | 1234 views
Thanks to the Atom LL Fans
Sometimes the support and encouragement of the parents and fans gets overlooked.  I have seen a wonderful group of parents and fans provide this team with smiles, pats on the back and praise throughout the entire season.  It is this fantastic attitude and support that will keep our players coming back and enjoying this great game for many years to come.  For that I thank you.

I will now introduce to you, the lineup of your Blyth Bulldogs.

First we start with one of our goalies --Franklin - his catlike reflexes kept us in many games this season and provide the fans with some exciting shutouts.  Part way through the year he gave way to another goalie and played forward and defense for us.
Next is our second goalie -- Jeremy - he spent most of the year as a steady defenseman.  Keeping shots away from the net.  He took some of the weight off Franklin and played very well. Providing excitement and shutouts along the way as well.
At center we had Gavin -- His speed and determination was always a problem for the other team.  It was his speed that provided us with many goals and chances to score.  Always a backchecking threat, the other team kept their eye on him.
Also at center was Owen -- another speedy player that seemed to be everywhere at once.  His crisp shot and dogged determination gave us lots of chances to score and kept other teams from scoring in his end.
At left wing was Patrick -- this big hard nosed winger dug pucks out of the corners for his linemates.  His speed and toughness kept the other team off balance with great back and forechecking.  His snapshot is among the hardest in the league and when he crashed the net he was rarely denied a goal.
At left was Curtis -- a converted defenseman we found our other big winger was tough for teams to handle.  His passing skill and smart hockey sent his linemates in on several scoring chances.  He is another player that doesn't score fancy goals but pays the price in the dirty areas to create changes and goals.
On right wing was Brett -- a speedy little winger with a wicked shot.  He always went after the puck with a wild abandon that seemed to scare some opponents.  His positional play and nose for the net made him a dangerous winger.
On right wing was Cam -- In only his second year we had a piece of clay to mould into a hockey player.  Showing great determination his play improved dramatically throughout the year.  Recently his off ice routine has sent his progress forward by leaps and bounds.  Learning where to be and when has made this clay into a solid winger with power, grit and increasing competitiveness.
On defense is Colton - a converted forward we see this player has speed, determination, skill and power.  His blistering passes from his own end surprise opponents that cannot reach the speeding puck and sometimes even surprises his own team.  A powerful shot from the point and skilled passes created many chances for us to score.  His strength overpowered his opponent, not allowing many scoring chances.
On defense is Craig -- his fiery temper and speed made him a nasty player to play against.  Always a heads up player he made the first clearing pass out of our zone to begin many rushes for our forwards.  His battles in front of our net and at their blue line were epic.  There was no way opponents were getting by that easily.
On defense is Jeff -- this strong little bull was a great compliment to the other defense on our team.  His pit bull clamp on opponents in front of his net was a thing of beauty.  Often playing the wing side, he developed a style to keep the puck from getting by at the blue line sending the puck deep to create offense.  A competitive and fiery nature made him another nasty defender on the Bulldog blue line.  His heavy point shot will be of great benefit to future teams he plays on.
One trainer was Tracy -- her competitive nature and pleasant demeanor kept the kids off balance.  They knew she meant business but it didn't feel like being scolded.  A great addition to our bench staff.
Our other trainer was Neil -- his jovial nature and hockey sense was a great value on the bench.  The kids were encouraged and taught at the same time.  A great staff member.
Our assistant coach Glenn -- another jovial coach with great hockey sense.  He would teach the kids each time back to the bench with a smile. The kids knew he knows a lot about hockey and knew a lot of fun could be had playing this game.
Our manager was Karen -- she took a lot of the load off my shoulders by arranging tournaments, filling out game sheets and making an endless number of calls on my behalf.  Another important cog in our fine tuned machine.

I am most proud of the fact that this team came together as a group of individuals, and leave the season as a team. I heard many fine compliments from parents of other teams at how they were impressed by the passing skill of this team.  I was very impressed also.  Congratulations gentlemen on a great season.

Finally the parents who made this all possible -- I thank you on behalf of myself and my staff.

REMEMBER THIS GAME IS FOR FUN -- LETS KEEP IT THAT WAY

Coach Rob