Season Wrap-Up, News, Major Atom AA, 2016-2017, Seeded (Kitchener Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2016-2017 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Mar 18, 2017 | Tim Petzold | 1115 views
Season Wrap-Up
I wanted to take a bit of time before writing my final, wrap-up letter this year...as it sure is hard to believe that another season has come and gone....(and what a season it was!)

I can remember like it was yesterday, the excitement that was building around tryouts and picking the team in the Spring...and the anticipation of things to come... 

I remember the hours and hours of trying to find a good, "away" early bird tournament for our team to attend...to begin the bonding process, and ending up right here in our own back yard...playing in and winning, the first ever Kitchener Early Bird Tournament.

I remember the famous Kitchener Oktoberfest Tournament, the one where just about every hockey playing child can't wait to become "Atom" aged, so they can play in it...and being left in awe as our boys won the championship right in front of our friends and families.

I remember representing Canada at the Nations Cup in the US and seeing our boys battle and compete like never before, in front of hundreds of chanting, cheering people from both sides of the border.  The pride and respect that this team had and showed wearing a Team Canada uniform was something I will never forget...and that last rendering of O Canada and celebrating on the ice with all of the other Canadian teams...truly incredible!

I remember returning to the Gene Harrington Tournament in NY, to finally play against teams our own age (and to play in that incredible outdoor rink facility again...), and pulling off a complete, shut-down performance in the championship game...and winning our 4th title.  

We moved up to AA this year, entered and won 4 tournaments, had a lot of fun along the way, and battled right to the end with our fifth game of a tied series ending in a double over-time loss.

So many great memories to look back on...from a KW Record article and the CTV News segment...to our dance off in the center of the team dressing room...it truly was an amazing season.

Our boys improved, grew, made new friends, welcomed back old friends, and had fun...and I, along with my fellow coaches, could not be more proud!

Thank you once again to the players and families for your positive energy and commitment this year...and to my coaching staff, team manager, on-ice helpers, and committee teams ....for your dedication and giving your all to this fine group of boys.

A personal thank you as well...to all of our generous sponsors!

Best of luck to you at next season's tryouts, have a fantastic, safe summer, and I'm sure we'll be seeing you all again soon.

Cheers!

Coach Tim