North Bay U18 AAA Trappers channel tournament heartbreak into championship focus

The North Bay Trappers U18 AAA team are using painful tournament losses from this season and last as motivation to drive toward a championship this spring.

A high-intensity skating drill known as the ‘zipper’ closed out a recent morning practice for the North Bay U18 AAA Trappers, sharpening speed and precision as they prepare for their hockey season’s crucial stretch. The session reflected a squad operating with palpable cohesion and confidence.

“We’ve been rolling. Everyone is buzzing,” said defenceman Aydin Beharie.

“The boys have been just like all glued and pretty gelled together.”

Dominant league play fuels championship ambition

This chemistry has translated into a dominant record in the Great North U18 AAA league. The Trappers sit atop the 10-team circuit with a formidable 22-1-0 record, their sole defeat a 7-5 loss to the Sault Ste. Marie Jr. Greyhounds in early January. The team’s mindset, however, remains firmly forward-looking.

“We keep pushing forward and we’re hopefully going to get to go to the end and win the championship,” said captain Scott Szczygiel.

The team’s head coach, Josh Dale, attributes this sustained success to a culture of dedication.

“Our goal is no matter how good the opposing teams are or if they’re not quite up to our standard, we’re just playing our game and focusing on what we can do,” he said.

Dale emphasizes a holistic approach to his players’ development, fostering success beyond the rink.

“I’m really a players coach,” he said.

“I really motivate them to not only succeed here on the ice and at the rink, but also at home and in school.”

Past sting provides present motivation

Despite their league prowess, the memory of two specific tournament losses serves as powerful motivation. The team still feels the sting of a semi-final defeat in last season’s Great North U18 Championship against Sudbury. More recently, after a perfect round-robin performance at the Steve Richey Tournament of Champions in Peterborough, they suffered a crushing quarterfinal loss to Ontario’s top-ranked team. The team is channelling these experiences constructively.

“It’s good to experience loss and then push forward,” Szczygiel said.

“All the experiences of bad penalties, we learn from that.”

Complete team effort drives unbeatable mindset

The Trappers’ success is built on a complete team effort. The offence has been prolific, scoring 143 goals in 22 games, while a stalwart defence has conceded only 55. Goaltenders Carson Ruddy and Logan Coates have been pillars, making crucial saves when called upon. This collective strength is a point of pride.

“We’re a lot stronger together. I think everyone on the team has each other’s back and it couldn’t be done without the defence,” said Ruddy.

As the playoff horizon approaches, the Trappers are acutely aware that their work is not finished. The lessons from past heartbreak have solidified a resolute and unified focus on the ultimate prize.

“When playoffs come, we’re going to be ready to go,” Beharie said, smiling.