A pair of North Bay area 10-year-old hockey players are about to take part in one of the most high-profile spring hockey tournaments in North America.
Defenceman Jackson Ross and goaltender Campbell Stickland, both members of the North Bay & District U12 AAA Trappers team, will be playing for two different teams at the Brick Invitational Tournament which begins this Monday in Edmonton.
The two Trappers teammates will be foes as Ross plays for the Toronto Bulldogs while Stickland plays for the Montreal Canadiens.
"I feel good to be on the team, it means a lot to me," said Ross.
"I have worked really hard to be on this team and I will work hard in this tournament and I hope my team plays well."
Stickland knows all the big names that have played in this elite U10 spring tournament including local NHL prospects Lucas Edmonds and Brady Lyle.
"It has been described as the best hockey tournament in the world for the U10 category and I can’t wait to step on the ice," said Stickland.
Stickland, who has been traveling to Montreal to train with his spring team, believes his skating ability is what helped him get selected for the Montreal team.
"As a taller, more athletic goalie, my skating gets me to more positions to make saves," said Stickland.
Ross is looking forward to a great experience.
"Having fun, playing hard, having a great experience with hockey and playing with and against great players," said Ross.
"I hope every team plays well and has fun.".
Justin Carre, U12 AAA Trappers head coach, who also coached these two boys to a NOHA tournament of champions title, is excited for the two young local players.
"Jackson and Campbell have put in an incredible amount of work over the past two seasons and it’s really great to see them rewarded with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in the prestigious Brick Hockey Tournament with the top 2013-born kids from North America," said Carre.
"To have two local kids selected to play in this tournament speaks volumes about minor hockey development in North Bay. I know that players, coaches, and parents from the North Bay and District Trappers U12 AAA team will be glued to the television set cheering them on."
The two teammates will clash as the Toronto Bulldogs and Montreal Canadiens meet on day 3 of the tournament which is Wednesday, July 5.
