NDA Jr. Hockey takes over the ice

The Widdifield Wildcats Jr. hockey team moves the puck around the Northern Braves zone. Photo by Mike Ricci-Bonzey.

It looked like the middle of hockey season at Pete Palangio arena as dozens of young high school hockey players took over the ice at Double Rinks for the annual NDA Junior Hockey Tournament.

The tournament involved 8 teams this year with Almaguin Highlands sending a team for the first time.

Organizer Bob Boal believes the event allows younger player to put on a high school jersey for the first time along with an opportunity to meet their potential next coach.

“It’s a great day for the kids,” said Boal.

“It’s a chance for them to see each other and play with their classmates. A lot of the time ‘AA’ kids come from a bunch of different schools so this is a chance for them to wear their jersey and compete for their schools with a little bit of pride and they seem to really enjoy it.”

There is no final here in the 12-game event which started at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, as each team played a total of three games.