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Team NWT bantams in tough

Andrew Carr (in blue) knocks over a Prince George Cougars player during round-robin play on Jan. 4. photo courtesy of April Desjarlais

Playing AAA bantam hockey in western Canada usually means you'll be up against players who are getting looked at for the Western Hockey League's annual bantam draft.

It also means you'll find yourself up against it when it comes to the style and pace of play.

Team NWT's Arctic Winter Games bantam boys hockey team found out just how different the level of play is at the top level last month when they went to play in the Crossroads Cup AAA bantam tournament in Prince George, B.C. The boys failed to win a game, but there was more at stake than giant-killing, according to head coach Shawn Talbot.

He said it was more about looking for competition than chalking up ticks in the win column.

“I was looking to see some improvement among the boys,” Talbot said. “We're dominant in AA but we knew it would be hard making the step up to AAA and that was part of the challenge for the kids.”

Their first game on Jan. 19 was against the Prince George Cougars with a familiar face behind the Cougars' bench in Mirsad Mujcin. It started out well enough for the team as they only trailed 1-0 after the first period.
“Our guys came out flying in that first period,” said Talbot. “I figured if we were able to hold that pace, we could surprise some teams.”

It didn't last. The boys were worn down and ended up on the wrong end of a lopsided loss.

Mujcin said the NWT squad was there at the start of the game but conditioning became an issue as the game went on.

“It's a fast pace at that level and when you're playing a 60-minute game with plenty of contact, it can wear you down quickly if you aren't used to it,” he said. “My guys have been at that pace all year so it wasn't a problem for them. They can hold that pace all game long.”

In the end, it was five losses for the travellers but Talbot said the boys were able to come together as a team, which was one of the big goals he had heading into the tournament.

“We met a lot of the goals we set as the coaching staff,” he said. “We had a weekend of team building and bonding and I think we came together well. They got a feel of what that upper level is all about and what it takes to be at that level.”

Leading up to the start of the AWG in March, Talbot and his staff have put together a training program that he expects the boys to follow, which includes nutrition, cardio work and strength training.

“They're at the age now where they need to be accountable,” he said. “We want them to get better and we'll be checking up on them but we'll know who's been following the program and who hasn't.”

Another purpose of the trip was to give Mujcin a chance to do some scouting for the 2019 Canada Winter Games. Mujcin is the head coach for Team NWT's boys squad next year in Red Deer, Alta., and he watched every single NWT game closely to see what's coming down the pipe.

“I saw what their tendencies are,” he said. “A lot of these kids will be on the team and there's a good mix of speed and size. The 2003 group is big and the 2004 group has good speed. Shawn has the right attitude with the kids and getting them to adapt to new systems.”