Tigers shooting for triple crown
Ridley head coach Mike McCourt. Photo by: BILL POTRECZ
The Ridley College Tigers prep boys hockey team has its sets high for the upcoming playoffs.
The Tigers have already wrapped up the top seed in the Midwest Prep Hockey League and could do the same should they win their final four games in the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA).
The Tigers will also be playing for the National Independent School Invitational championship March 8-11 in Toronto and Aurora, and head coach Mike McCourt would love nothing more than to run the table.
“They call it the triple crown,” McCourt said. “We would love to win all three.”
The Tigers have put together an impressive campaign so far with a 33-13-1 mark.
“I think we have a group that can certainly do that (win all three),” McCourt said. “They know the CISSA League hasn’t been won since the 1960s and they have been reminded by that from some alumni who have been around campus and attended some games.
“I think it’s exciting. That’s one of the unique things about our schedule. You can play for different championships and it’s probably the last time they will ever play for that. If you play junior or college, you just play for one championship.”
McCourt is particularly proud of the fact the Tigers have been so competitive despite being the youngest team in both leagues.
“You never know how those kids are going to adjust but we’re proud of them with how far they have come from the start of the year,” he said. “I think it’s a combination of things. We have a great group of leaders and the school and the structure. We have a great program and the kids have great habits right away. They work hard in the classroom and that translates on to the ice. They have to buy into the school routine.
“You have like-minded kids in the same environment. They are all pretty set on where they what to do and what they want to make of this opportunity so they are all on the same page so that makes our job as a staff pretty easy.”
Still, McCourt marvels at the difference one year can make.
“It’s always an adjustment in the first year but it’s amazing to see that transformation into Grade 12. They become leaders,” he said. “It’s passing the torch in essence. The Grade 11’s know what they went through last year and the habits and cultural things we were looking for from the group and they just carry that on.”
The victories on the ice have translated into individual success as well.
Captain Max Blanchard of Fonthill recently signed to play in the North American Hockey League with New Jersey Titans while Evan Johnston of Niagara Falls has signed with Hawkesbury of the Canadian Central Hockey League. As well, Noah Sedore signed with the Erie Otters and made his Ontario Hockey League debut last week. Last season’s captain, Owen Cole, graduated and has committed to the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
“We have four or five Grade 12s just mulling through their options before they commit and a couple others who will maybe get college offers before they graduate,” McCourt said proudly.
McCourt admitted the championships are great, but seeing players move on and develop gives him the most satisfaction.
“You see kids like Max and Owen Cole work so hard in school to open the doors for themselves and they get opportunities to continue to play and get their schooling combined, that’s what it’s all about for us,” he said. “It’s very rewarding and we’re very proud of them.”
The Tigers host Upper Canada College Thursday at 4:30 p.m. and then host Nichols of Buffalo Saturday at Noon.
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