It is with a heavy heart that I sit down to write this final article for the 2007 Peewee Rep Warriors and their 2019-2020 season.
It is fair to say that this is not how any of us saw this going. The boys were chasing a dream of making it to the OHF championships, and for now, that will have to remain a dream. This was a season like no other, and perhaps one that will go down as the one the boys, coaches, parents and fans were most proud of. The boys started off well, they secured their spot in the AA side of the Alliance against some much bigger teams. Mid way through the season the small but mighty Warriors struggled to get things going. Coach Tim Schultz mixed up the lines, bag skated the boys (and himself), held pizza parties, and extra practices in an effort to help them out of their slump. And then something clicked. The boys found themselves against the number three seeded London Jr Knights Green in the first round of playoffs and they didn’t just show up to play they swept the series in three straight games. Moving onto the semi-finals the boys had a big ask. They needed to take down the number one seeded London Jr Knights White. Again these boys continued to soar, tying the first game and going on to win the next 3 straight games. They meant business. Poised and ready to take on Burlington in hopes of making it to the Ontario Hockey Federation Championships in Sudbury, that dream came to an end with the sad news that they, and all other hockey players across Canada, would be done playing for the season. As parents we get it, we can respect it, and we can try and explain it to our children but it doesn’t make it any easier. These boys, and all SMHA hockey players have so much to be proud of this season. And although it came to a quick end, it is fair to say that the dreams of winning the Alliance and lifting an OHF Championship cup are still alive and well, just paused while we all try and stay safe.
To the 2019-2020 coaching staff, lead by Tim Schultz, we thank you. I know the boys have been sending Coach Timmer their thoughts and they are all eagerly awaiting the next group message from him telling them when they will be back on the ice and that he is “keen af”. To Chris Musselman, Trevor Sauder, Scott Petrie, Scott Siebert and Jackie Hall~ thank you for all your time and effort you put into yet another season.
Congratulations to the 2019-2020 Peewee Rep Warriors on an amazing season: Ryan McGill, Zack Irvin, Austin Musselman, Rylan Hall, Blair Stokes, Grady Murphy, Nathan Siebert, Aaron Green, Dawson White, Ryan Gansevles, Blake Hodgson, Griffin McGregor, Colin Schultz, Ryan McGee, Zach Schultz and Carter Petrie. You truly are a special group of young men.
It has been a ride this season. Keep chasing that dream!