This is the first year in Princeton Minor Hockey history that an Atom team has declared development. Atom development, like Atom house, is league play but within the league there is a Tiering system. This allows the teams to be very competitive within its conference while stepping up the level of play a notch or two. This year Princeton is in the Michie conference/Aldophe Division which is a fancy name for Tier 3 Atom Dev. In Princeton’s side of the division there are 4 other teams. Lilooet Atom Dev Boys, Clearwater Pee-wee Rep Girls, Kamloops Pee-wee Rep girls, and Clearwater Atom Dev Boys. The boys have had some really good battles against these teams this year and are holding there own now sitting at 4th in the standings.
The team this year consists of 14 enthusiastic young boys who play hockey with True love for the game. The kids are all 9 and 10 years old with the exception of one younger player. Between the pipes we have two first year Atom players, Jayden Simon and Jett Larsen. Both of our goalies play every game with focus, determination and perseverance. Shot after shot, save after save they stand in that Net and back up the rest of their team. Our defensive players this year are terrific. Grant Yee is our senior “D”man and team Captain. Grant plays his position well and can stop pretty well anything and anyone coming his way. Quinn Clarke is another first year Atom but you wouldn’t know it when he’s out on the ice. He may not be the biggest player out their but he will fore-check, back check, and chase his opponent down till he has done his job and keeps that puck away from his goalie. Case Brodie, first year “D”, is one of the “Brodie Bruiser” Brother’s. Case works hard every game, isn’t afraid to use his size to his advantage and is the “master” at protecting his Goalie. Matt Maynard can often be seen hanging back on Defense as well. Matt is another first year Atom and definitely uses the boards to his advantage. Matt is getting to be a pro at banging the puck up the boards to the forwards awaiting his pass.
The forwards on this team are a force to be reckoned with as well. Taking the wing for the Center man are Liam Zieske, Mason O’Neil, Robert McElroy, Carson Thibert, Nathan Silbernagell, and Cole Harder. Liam is quick, really quick, and all over the ice when he plays, determined to get the puck. He could very easily be mistaken for the energizer bunny some games; he keeps going and going and going. Mason O’Neil is the team’s youngest player, now 8 yrs old. Mason’s a relentless checker and passer. Mason play’s heads up hockey every shift, always knows where his team mates are and how to put the puck on their stick every time he passes. Robert plays this game with passion, driven by love for this game and it shows when you see the determination in his eyes. Shift after shift his effort on the ice is also relentless. Carson is also a real heads up hockey player. When Carson has the puck you can almost see the wheels turning, thinking about what his next move will be. He usually makes his move and helps out the team every time he’s on the ice. Nathan’s got the size out there for sure. The other teams have a hard time getting by him especially by the boards. His powerful stance and long reach make it very difficult for the opposition to get by him. Nathan is a great team player and shows a positive attitude on and off the ice. Cole Harder is definitely the teams most improved player. Cole has become a digger, and a driving force on the puck. Cole does his job and always puts out his best effort. Win or Lose Cole always has a smile on is face. The team usually rotates 2 center man and 3 set of wingers.
The two Center man are usually Marcus Brodie and Austin O’Neil, both returning players to Atoms. Marcus the other half of the “Brodie Bruiser Brothers” can often been seen showing off his dangling techniques making sweet moves to beat the guys chasing him down the ice. Austin’s quick foot work, and great hands makes him hard to beat sometimes. When Austin gets the puck it’s a guarantee he will have 4-5 guys on him at once trying to steal it. Both Austin and Marcus are sitting in the top 10 scorers in their division.
Ryan O’Neil, Jake Greening, Carson Zieske is the teams coaching and management staff this year. The guys are glad the team declared development for the 2010/2011 season and can see that the kids are becoming stronger players because of playing in this league this year. To check out the team you can go to Omaha.ca and search Michie/ Aldophe