Right winger Mitch Normore is returning to where his hockey career first began — when he was just four years old.
“It feels pretty special,” said Normore, who serves as an assistant captain with the team.
“My parents have only seen me play, I think, one or two games in the last three years and no one else has been able to make the trip up, unfortunately. So now, this gives me the opportunity to play in front of my friends, family, grandparents. I'm really looking forward to it,” said Normore, who grew up in Conception Bay South.
The Valley Maple Leafs advanced to the Don Johnson Cup tournament after being crowned the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League (NSJHL) champions earlier this month. Normore said the playoffs have been the highlight of his Junior B career to date.
“The thing that sticks out to me was Game 7 against Sackville,” said the 21-year-old. “I'd say there was 1,000 people there for warm up. Normally the place is empty for warm up. I remember stepping on the ice and being like 'oh my God, all these people are here to watch us.'”
The Leafs defeated the Cole Harbour Colts four games to one before taking on their Highway 101 rivals the Sackville Blazers. The Valley squad eked out a Game 7 win to advance to the NSJHL final against the Glace Bay Junior Miners. They defeated the Miners in four games straight.
“There's a lot of competition in the league. The first series against Cole Harbour definitely wasn't easy. Then we moved on to play Sackville – a really tough team. Once we beat Sackville, we went and played Glace Bay, who swept us in four games last year,” said Normore.
“It wasn't an easy journey. We had a lot of injuries... but the guys sucked it up and dressed up and give it their best effort.”
That effort paid off as they will be flying to Newfoundland on April 26. They are due to return May 2. While in Conception Bay South, they will open round robin play against the Newfoundland champions, the CNB Stars, on the evening of April 26. They are scheduled to take on the Moncton Vitos on April 27, the Kensington Vipers, from PEI, on April 28 and that evening, the Newfoundland host team, the Avalon Capitals.
Semi-finals are scheduled for April 30, with the finals on May 1.
For Normore, being able to play in front of friends and family as his Junior B career comes to an end is something he's looking forward to.
“That's kind of the Cinderella story. I get to end my career in the exact same spot that it all started.”
Fast facts
In the 2015-16 regular season, Mitch Normore played 30 games with the Valley Maple Leafs, scoring 18 times and assisting on another 22 goals for a total of 40 points. He spent 92 minutes in the penalty box.
In the playoffs, Normore played 14 games, scored eight times and assisted on 12 other goals for a total of 20 points.
Right winger Mitch Normore is returning to where his hockey career first began — when he was just four years old.
“It feels pretty special,” said Normore, who serves as an assistant captain with the team.
“My parents have only seen me play, I think, one or two games in the last three years and no one else has been able to make the trip up, unfortunately. So now, this gives me the opportunity to play in front of my friends, family, grandparents. I'm really looking forward to it,” said Normore, who grew up in Conception Bay South.
The Valley Maple Leafs advanced to the Don Johnson Cup tournament after being crowned the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League (NSJHL) champions earlier this month. Normore said the playoffs have been the highlight of his Junior B career to date.
“The thing that sticks out to me was Game 7 against Sackville,” said the 21-year-old. “I'd say there was 1,000 people there for warm up. Normally the place is empty for warm up. I remember stepping on the ice and being like 'oh my God, all these people are here to watch us.'”
The Leafs defeated the Cole Harbour Colts four games to one before taking on their Highway 101 rivals the Sackville Blazers. The Valley squad eked out a Game 7 win to advance to the NSJHL final against the Glace Bay Junior Miners. They defeated the Miners in four games straight.
“There's a lot of competition in the league. The first series against Cole Harbour definitely wasn't easy. Then we moved on to play Sackville – a really tough team. Once we beat Sackville, we went and played Glace Bay, who swept us in four games last year,” said Normore.
“It wasn't an easy journey. We had a lot of injuries... but the guys sucked it up and dressed up and give it their best effort.”
That effort paid off as they will be flying to Newfoundland on April 26. They are due to return May 2. While in Conception Bay South, they will open round robin play against the Newfoundland champions, the CNB Stars, on the evening of April 26. They are scheduled to take on the Moncton Vitos on April 27, the Kensington Vipers, from PEI, on April 28 and that evening, the Newfoundland host team, the Avalon Capitals.
Semi-finals are scheduled for April 30, with the finals on May 1.
For Normore, being able to play in front of friends and family as his Junior B career comes to an end is something he's looking forward to.
“That's kind of the Cinderella story. I get to end my career in the exact same spot that it all started.”
Fast facts
In the 2015-16 regular season, Mitch Normore played 30 games with the Valley Maple Leafs, scoring 18 times and assisting on another 22 goals for a total of 40 points. He spent 92 minutes in the penalty box.
In the playoffs, Normore played 14 games, scored eight times and assisted on 12 other goals for a total of 20 points.
