Wildcats organization committed to turning things around

BY JOHN DECOSTE

Kings County Register

The Valley Sport Swappers Wildcats are still losing a lot more than they’re winning, but team manager Alan Frankland says the club is committed to turning things around.

Despite winning 4-3 over the Cape Breton Tradesmen Nov. 1 in Kentville and 4-3 in a shootout over Cape Breton West Nov. 8, the Wildcats’ record stood at a disappointing 3-16 following a 4-2 loss to the Tradesmen Nov. 9 in Kentville. “We got off to a slow start, but we are getting better,” Frankland, who has been involved with the Wildcats’ program for the past five years, said last week of the Valley team - which has now won twice in its last five games following a 1-13 start. “On the ice, the biggest difference over last year has been on offense. Last year, we couldn’t buy a goal. This year, we’re scoring more, but we still need to work harder at keeping the puck out of the net at the other end.”

Matt Pace scored in regulation time, then had the shootout winner in the win over Cape Breton West, giving him five goals on the season. Nick Parker of Newport, who had a hat trick in the Nov. 1 win, has six goals; Kayleb Lazaric of Port Williams, another rookie, has seven. Colby Harris and Steven Wakeham lead the team with eight goals apiece.

Frankland admits the Wildcats have had trouble getting local players to commit to their program. “It’s not something that’s just surfaced,” he says. “It’s been a problem for years. “At the end of the day, for us to be successful, we need (to sign) all the top players in the Valley, and we can’t seem to get them. High school hockey, and now high school football, remain an on-going problem for us.”

The Wildcats have had their share of local players, but many tend drift away – or aren’t interested in making the commitment in the first place, preferring to play in the high school league.

Frankland admits the Wildcats are still committed to signing “the right kind of player:” just because a player is local doesn’t always mean he’ll be the best fit for the team.

The Wildcats continue to view major midget hockey as “a stepping stone for players with aspirations of moving on the the next (higher) level.” In fact, a number of Wildcats and former Wildcats have been drafted by major junior and junior A clubs over the years.

The hiring of Nick Greenough, a Valley native and former professional player, and Tye, who has an excellent coaching resume, signals a new direction for the team – not to mention a new emphasis on trying to develop young players from within.

The Wildcats have traditionally been one of the youngest teams in their league; this season is no exception – the current roster has five 17-year-olds, nine 16-year-olds and six 15-year-olds. The team’s 20-player roster includes 13 players from the Valley, from Newport to Middleton.

Frankland admits part of the solution to attracting more local players will be “doing a better job of recruiting – getting our faces out there, getting more involved in minor hockey so that when players get to our level, major midget will be their first choice. “I think we’re starting to turn the corner.”

Even though the difference may not be all that noticeable in the standings – at least not yet – it can be seen in a more positive atmosphere, both on the ice and in the dressing room. “In order to get some of the better players in the Valley to play for us, first of all, we need some wins. It’s going to take time and hard work, but I feel it’s doable.”

He feels one of the biggest drawing cards the team has is head coach Greenough, who “brought a good resume with him, and looks like he’s here for the long haul.”

The organization is solid, and its corporate sponsorship (Valley Sport Swappers) is strong. “We got new jerseys last weekend, with a new logo as part of a ‘new look’.”

The Wildcats admittedly “don’t have the overall numbers” of some of the teams from the larger centres, “and we also have to deal with geography.” Playing major midget hockey for a team that plays and practices in Kentville “is a big-time commitment for someone from Digby or Weymouth.”

He acknowledges real change “isn’t going to happen overnight. We’ll need to start the process right at the novice and atom level and work our way up.”