The North Bay U18 AAA Trappers have clinched top spot in the Great North U18 AAA League this week thanks to a 7-2 win on Wednesday night against the second place Sudbury U18 AAA Wolves.
The win improves their record to 24-3-0-1 on the season good for 49 points and now 16 points up on the second place U18 Wolves who have 33 points.
It is the first time since 2018-19 - when U18 Trappers finished off a perfect 36-0 - that a North Bay U18 AAA Trappers team finished in first in the regular season standings.
Last year the Trappers finished 5th (19-17) and lost in the tournament champions play in tourney against the Sudbury U16 AAA Wolves.
The last U18 AAA Trappers team to win the Great North U18 playoff title was the Trappers squad in 2022-23.
Josh Dale, who came over from the Powassan Voodoos to take over the head coaching responsibilities this season, is thrilled to see his group succeed to this level.
"I’m extremely proud of our group, we set out a goal at the beginning of the season to focus on development on and off the ice and to do what is required to achieve a level of play for not only this season but as well help lead them into next season," said Dale, who is helped by veteran manager Mike Brideau.
"These boys have been working extremely hard all season to maintain that level of play and it shows with our record of only three losses after 28 games."
Dale's squad has not had a problem scoring goals.
The U18 AAA Trappers of 2024-25 have been bolstered by incredible offence from Ben Brunton who is one of the top scorers in all of U18 AAA hockey in Canada. The undraffed 2008 birth year forward has recorded 47 goals and 34 assists for 81 points in only 28 games this season.
His linemate Martin Brassard is in second in league scoring with 55 points, while Battalion prospect Cameron Lockhart has 37 points in only 19 games played.
Dale believes finishing on top is an accomplishment but something they shouldn't dwell on.
"We knew going into our game vs second place Sudbury Wolves U18 that it was a game to clinch the league regular season title, but that was not our focus," said Dale.
"Our focus was on consistency and using our emotions for the right things and not letting them control our actions."
Meantime the goaltending tandem of Logan Coates and Carson Ruddy has been arguably the best duo in the league led by Coates with his stingy 2.06 goals against average. They have been solid under the tutelage of goaltending coach Rob Graham.
"We are very humble and have a large respect for all our opponents but mostly we have a huge respect for each other," noted Dale.
"We still have some work to do so the grind isn’t over. We are happy to celebrate the clinch but it’s a short celebration as the focus has to continue."