With a long stride across the Libro Centre ice, Grayson Bart covers a lot of distance in a hurry.
The 11-year-old was just one of the many hockey players who took part in Saturday’s Amherstburg Minor Hockey Association Day of Champions, and he scored a very big goal.
A Grade 5 student at Anderdon Public School, his rising wrist shot was the winning goal in the U-11 semi-final game which was tied 5-5 after regulation play.
“I felt so relieved. I was nervous,” said Bart after the game.
AMHA’s Day of Champions was the final day of play for local league players who ranged in age from pre-school, right up to 18-years-old.
Bart celebrated his winning tally with a slide across the ice but admitted it was a team effort.
“We were passing and our defence played well. We scored some nice goals.”
Off the ice there was lots to see and do as there was an activity zone set up, the Amherstburg Admirals mascot Addy Bear made the rounds and both the Amherstburg minor baseball and soccer associations were set up in the lobby.
Parent-volunteer Jessica Cockram helped organize the Day of Champions which included certificates, photos and lunch. Amherstburg Town Councillor Don McArthur read stories wearing his Toronto Maple Leafs jersey.
And while the Day of Champions is an annual event, AMHA could be changing the way it operates in the very near future.
“We are in discussion with Erie North Shore Minor Hockey. We are going to have public meetings and it will go to a vote,” said AMHA Past President Marc Renaud.
A member of the AMHA board for over 20-years, he said Amherstburg and Erie North (Kingsville-Harrow) are looking at the possibility of merging.
“You have to get bigger to survive. From a travel perspective, they want to move forward.”
However, Renaud noted that there could be some reluctance on those whose children play in the local leagues as travelling to Kingsville and Harrow to practice might not be favourable.
“Parents know we have to do something,” noted Renaud.
He said that registration was about 400 this year and the numbers seem to be dwindling.
“We used to have around 500 but we are dropping like the rest of the county.”
Renaud said that while there continues to be a lot of involvement in the younger age groups, it’s the U11, U13 and U15 where they are seeing a decline in numbers.
Award winners during the day were:
Jeremy Bailey award for outstanding play during the season - Christian Martin
Murray Dufour award for outstanding play during the season - Aiden Kane
Robert St Pierre award for outstanding play during the season - Sebastien Gemus
Danny Hallock award for outstanding play during the season - Evan Scott
Keith Berard award for most sportsmen play during the season - Dryden Varga
House League Coach of the Year - Kenny Bailey.
House League Trainer of the year - Tiffany Shepley
Adult Volunteer of the Year- Jen Glover
Youth Volunteer of the Year - Brycen Girard
Minor Hockey wraps up season with Day of Champions
By Fred Groves