Commitment has played a major role in the success of the Virden Minor Hockey Association’s U13 Braybrook team this winter.
Last weekend the squad won the Hockey Manitoba U13 AA provincial tournament in Morden. The team was one of three Virden co-ed U13 squads to make it to at least the semifinal round of provincials. The team was a perfect 4-0 on the weekend.
“From day one, we as a group instilled a junior level of commitment,” head coach Brett Braybrook said. “We held this group to a very high standard, and they were nothing short of amazing. This group of individuals are very talented, and it was our jobs not only to ensure they brought the same work ethic and attitude to the rink everyday but also go through life lessons as a group.
“The beginning of the year we talked about our season being a chapter book and with each minor success comes another chapter. We are so very close to the end of the book, but we have one chapter left to write, being the league finals.”
On the way to the provincial finals last weekend, the team beat Springfield, 14-1; MacDonald, 6-1; and Portage, 4-0. In the championship contest, it faced a Morden squad that it had tangled with in four close games during the season. Braybrook noted, “They are just a hard-working team with a great goaltender.”
“We stuck to what has made us successful all season long. That is everyone buying into what we have implemented over the course of the season,” the coach said. “It is truly amazing what a bunch of 11 and 12 year-olds can accomplish when they all pull on the rope the same direction.”
The Junior Oil Capitals built up a 2-0 lead in the first period, but Morden was able to get one back before the first intermission. Morden struck again in the second to knot the contest at 2-2. The Virden squad scored in the third to win 3-2.
“There is always a sense of calm in our group. Even though they got a lucky break on their first goal and then tied it later in the second, not once did it creep into our minds winning wasn’t an option. We stuck with it, stuck to our structure and what has made us successful all season long. In the end it paid off,” said Braybrook, who also noted, “(I’m) very proud of the group of young men and women on our team as they have done and excelled beyond everything I have asked of them.”
The team incudes Ryker Higginbotham, Avery Braybrook, Colt Cameron, Georgia Koop, Easton Pitz, Noah Wohlgemuth, Hadley Robertson, Wyatt Cochrane, Dawson Densmore, Eric Rampton, Dexter White, and Bentley Goulden. Brett Braybrook is head coach. The assistant coaches are Robin Rampton, Kyle Cochrane, Kurt Goulden, Joey Bielik, and Dave Bielik. The managers are Shelby Rampton and Lacey Goulden.
U13 A2 Wins Bronze
In Oakbank, Virden’s U13 Plaisier team captured the bronze medals at the A2 provincial tournament. The team went 4-1 at the event. It shut out Stonewall 7-0 in the bronze medal game.
“Virden has a strong group of U13 players. We were one of the stronger teams in the provincials,” head coach Kent Plaisier said. “We really played well as a team and the kids are super competitive and have great attitudes.”
The Virden team started the tournament with wins over Morden, 4-2; Beausejour, 3-1; and MacDonald, 8-0. In the semifinal contest, it fell to Morden, 5-3, including an empty net goal. Morden went on to win the tournament. Head coach Kent Plaisier was assisted by coaches Steven Warkentin and James Hay.
The roster included Meredith Masson, Tyler Warkentin, Owen Bailey, Liam Stothers, Dominic Alberts, Mack Draper, Landon Plaisier, Braydon Radford, Mason Hay, Gavin Rudneski and Laney George.
U13 A1 Finish Fourth
At the U13 A1 provincials in Carman, Virden’s U13 Cameron placed fourth. The squad beat the hosts from Carman, 8-1, and downed Thompson, 16-0. It fell 4-0 to Morden in the semifinals and 6-3 to Stonewall in the bronze medal game.
“I liked how our group competed in all our games along with how much fun all the kids had both on and off the ice,” head coach Brett Cameron said.
The team included Will Elliot, Brayden Andries, Bentley Pio, Crewe Holleman, Owen Rowand, Jagger Browning-Lozinski, Brax LeBlanc, Jack Murray, Grayson Ritchie, Cody Cameron, Jordan Theissen and Demi Hodson. Brett Cameron was the head coach and Amanda Andries served as the manager. Kevin Holleman and Derek LeBlanc were assistant coaches.
