Although the new Nova Scotia Minor Midget AAA Hockey League doesn’t hit the ice until September, Dr. Adam Clarke, president of the Valley Wildcats Minor Midget AAA Hockey Program, says he’s already receiving “five to 10 inquiries a day.”
“Most other provinces have something like this,” says Clarke. “Here in Nova Scotia, we’re filling this gap now.”
The franchise will include four teams from the Halifax Regional Municipality, one from Cape Breton, one from Pictou County and one from the Annapolis Valley. The Valley Wildcats Minor Midget AAA Team will cover West Hants, Acadia, the Western Valley, Digby-Clare, and Yarmouth, with its home rink in Berwick.
Clarke says the league will benefit players who want to develop their skills, but don’t have a league or high school team to play on.
“For a lot of kids, last year’s bantam was their last year of hockey,” says Clarke.
Players born in 2002 are eligible, with each team able to accept four 2001 players. Clarke hopes the new league -- covering ages between bantam and major midget -- will encourage kids to continue playing hockey.
In addition to developing hockey skills, the league will emphasize proper nutrition, athletic trainers, support from athletic therapists and medical staff, and mandatory community volunteerism.
“We really want it to be a hockey program, not just a team,” says Clarke.
On May 28, the first identification camp for the Valley team will be held at the BMO Centre in Hammonds Plains. There will be an information session, on-ice and dryland sessions and a coach-led “chalk-talk” session. Snacks will be provided for all players in attendance, as well as a Valley Wildcats t-shirt. The cost to participate is $80.
Go online: To register for the Identification Camp, or for more information on the Nova Scotia Minor Midget AAA Hockey League, visit: http://nsmmhl.goalline.ca/news.php?news_id=1493937
