OMHA - Ontario Minor Hockey Association

York Simcoe Express Minor Bantams Drive for Five

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Georgina, ON: - The York Simcoe Minor Bantam AAA team won the OMHA title in Georgina over the March 12th – 14th weekend. This is the 5th consecutive OMHA Championship for this AAA hockey team, which is a record that will stand for a long time. The team also counts an OHF Gold Medal in their successful finish to last years season as Major Peewees, as well as Silver medalists in the prestigious 50th Anniversary Quebec Peewee hockey tournament in 2009.

The 2009/2010 OMHA Championship capped another successful season for this team who compiled an impressive 25-7-2 record in the regular season this year. Through the playoff run the Express dispatched the South Central Coyotes in 3 straight games, and then won 3 games to 2 versus the Kingston Frontenacs. The Express needed to travel to Kingston to win the deciding game 5 in front of the very supportive Kingston home town fans.

The playoffs for the Express were not without adversity as both Co-Captains received what were believed to be season ending injuries in the first game against South Central, one with a broken hand and the other with a broken leg. The remaining players showed true grit persevering through the remainder of the playoffs and received an unexpected surprise when Co-Captain Sam Bennett was able to return for the OMHA final weekend from his broken hand, and contribute to the Gold Medal performance.

The Express went undefeated through the round robin portion of the OMHA tournament with a 6-0 win over the Markham Waxers, 4-3 win over the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs, 2-0 win over the Oakville Rangers, and 3-3 tie with the Whitby Wildcats. In the Gold Medal match-up the Express faced the also undefeated Whitby Wildcats and prevailed to win by a final score of 4-1, and once again hoist the OMHA trophy and wear the red championship hats.

PHOTO: Standing: Chris Wilson, Warren Foegele, Alex Utting, Branden Fennell, Kyle Locke, Aaron Taylor, Nick Coric, Matt Collu, Connor Whiteside, Noah Delmas, Jake Anderson, Eric Pitcher. Kneeling: Logan Blaser, Dylan Yip-Chuck, Sam Bennett, Zac Masson, Travis Dermott

Head Coach Lance Crandles noted after the game that “the team pulled together in the face of adversity, and overcame opponents with determination and the drive to succeed. Once you get a taste of winning, it gets into your blood. You have to work for it. When you’re champions, everyone wants to knock you off the podium. You can’t work less, you have to work harder.” Coach Crandles also noted the “the team represented the York Simcoe Express association very well at all events throughout the year”.

PHOTO: The York Simcoe Express Celebrate with Their Coaching Staff

Team members include:
G – Aaron Taylor
G – Eric Pitcher
D - Travis Dermott
D – Noah Delmas
D – Kyle Locke
D – Logan Blaser
D – Dylan Yip-Chuck
F – Branden Fennell
F – Sam Bennett
F – Nick Coric
F – Jake Anderson
F – Connor Whiteside
F – Zac Masson
F – Matt Collu
F – Chris Wilson
F – Warren Foegele

Coaching Staff:
Head Coach - Lance Crandles
Asst. Coach - Jim Beagan
Trainer - Jim Dermott
Manager - Jim Fennell

The team would also like to say a special thank-you to their A/P player Alex Utting from The Newmarket Redman Minor Bantam AA team. Alex played with the Express in the Kingston series as well as the OMHA weekend.

The Championship marked a special accomplishment not only for the team as whole but particularly for six players and a staff member. These seven have been members of all five championship winning teams. The players include Sam Bennett, Nik Coric, Zac Masson, Travis Dermott, Noah Delmas, Dylan Yip-Chuck, and assistant coach Jim Dermott.

PHOTO: The Six Five-Time Champion Express Players!

Congratulations York Simcoe!

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