A trio of local players were honoured to compete in the Winnipeg AAA Hockey League’s Bantam 1 All-Star game.
Virden’s Ty Plaisier, Manson’s Kurt Rookes and Elkhorn’s Foxx McColl all suited up for Team Army at the event last Saturday in Winnipeg. Their squad fell, 6-2, to Team Air Force, however the players enjoyed the experience.
“The thing I enjoyed the most about the game was how fast everyone played,” Plaisier said. “The speed of the game being faster made the game feel fresh and new. I had much less time and space and I got to see how my skills compared to high level kids in my league.”
The all-star game made teammates of players who usually compete against each other. Plaisier plays for the Southwest Cougars while McColl and Rookes are on the Yellowhead Chiefs.
“It was an awesome experience,” Plaisier said. “I have played with and against some of them in spring hockey before, so it ended up being a really fun day getting to see everyone again. I expected there to be some tension in the room because of some of the rivalries, but everyone got along well.”
Plaisier was joined on the all-star team by Cougars teammates Owen LaRocque, Brett Laing, and Nicholas Cullen. Rylan Gage of the Chiefs also played. Cougars head coach Dan Landry and Chiefs bench boss Jeff Hume served as assistant coaches for Team Army.
