The 63rd annual struggle for the Sheridan and Robert Brown Cups, symbolic of the regular season and play off championship in boys' high school hockey, officially got underway on Tuesday, Nov. 7, with a slew of scheduled games.
The league will be comprised of a total of 13 teams this year,
participating in a single round-robin until Jan. 13, then
splitting off into two distinct divisions to vie for the "A"
and "B" championship titles. After part one of the regular
season schedule is complete, the team sitting in seventh
position will be given the option to move up to Division "A" or
down to Division "B".
In each of the past four years, a different team has won the
Division "A" play off title in high school hockey, most
recently the Lasalle Lancers, who had an impressive run at
OFSAA in Dryden last spring, only to be shut down by a hot
goalie in the quarter final round. Meanwhile, in Division "B",
a different team has claimed that championship in each of the
past five years, most recently the Chelmsford Flyers.
Here's a brief preview of league entries for this year:
Bishop Alexander Carter Golden Gators
2005-2006 Record: 3-15-0
Lost in "B" Quarter Final to L'Horizon
Head Coach: Dan Ross
Word on the street was that the Gators had signed 10
N.O.H.A.-carded players to their roster, which would provide
some much needed talent on a team that struggled in its first
year in the league last year.  The highlight of the
exhibition season for the Gators was a 10-8 upset win over the
St. Benedict Bears, a team that some favour to sit amongst the
top teams in the league this year.
Chelmsford Valley Flyers
2005-2006 Record: 8-8-2
"B" Division Champions
Head Coach: Jamie Bouchard
The Flyers lost a lot of talent with the graduating class, and
most teams surveyed didn't give them much of a chance to
succeed in the league this year.  But they may have
silenced a lot of their critics by posting a 6-3 exhibition
victory over the Lively Hawks back on October 13. 
College Notre-Dame Alouettes
2005-2006 Record: 9-7-0
Lost tie breaker game to St Benedict, failed to advance to "A"
playoffs
Head Coach: Ken Radey
The Alouettes will feature six returning players including a
strong defence and three balanced lines this year.  A key
component to success for the team will likely be common among
many teams in the league this year: adjusting to the new
standard of penalty calling that will be imposed.  The
Alouettes have decided not to sign N.O.H.A. carded players this
year which may affect their quality of play at the outset, but
coach Radey feels that in the long run, the team will play
better as a whole using players exclusively committed to the
high school game.  A key highlight of the exhibition
season for the Alouettes was an 8-1 win over the Knights on
October 24.
Confederation Chargers
2005-2006 Record: 14-2-0
Lost in Championship Finals to Lasalle in three straight games.
Head Coach: Todd Zimmerman
The Chargers elected to take a pass on the exhibition schedule,
to allow players committed to the football team a chance to
finish their season.  Now that the football Chargers have
been eliminated, look for the Chargers to contend for a spot in
Division "A".
Espanola Spartans
2005-2006 Record: no entry
First entry in league since 2002-2003
Head Coach: Rick Hamilton
After a three-year hiatus, head coach Rick Hamilton is excited
about the prospects associated with participating in the league
this year.  Obviously the team will be in a re-building
mode with a totally new core of players, nonetheless,
Hamilton's charges figure to finish dead smack in the middle of
a 13-team league.  A 4-4 tie against Bishop Carter during
the exhibition schedule may give the Spartans some confidence
going into the 2006-2007 campaign.  
ESC L'Horizon Aigles
2005-2006 Record: 8-7-2
Lost to Lively in Div "B" Semis
Head Coach: Denis Piquette
With eleven returning players, the Aigles should feature some
stability at either end of the rink this year, including solid
goaltending, five N.O.H.A. carded players and balance amongst
four strong forward lines.  Captain Francois Gosselin is
expected to provide strong leadership to a team whose fortunes
will rest largely on an ability to cope with the new rules
emphasis in affect this year.  The Aigles posted a 2-1
record in the exhibition season, including a 6-2 win over the
Alouettes back on October 19.
Lasalle SS Lancers
2005-2006 Record: 16-0-0
League and Playoff Champions, NOSSA "AAA" Champions, OFSAA
Quarter Finalists
Head Coach: Chris Matthews
The question on everyone's minds going into this season is: can
the Lancers do it again?  After a dream season last year,
their work will certainly be cut out for them, with only five
players returning to the fold.  Returning forwards Scott
Radey, Josh Tomatuk and Thad Zeglen should provide leadership
and scoring up front, and the addition of N.O.H.A. carded
players Zane Pitawanakwat and Matt Golanski should contribute
greatly to the offence as well.  The defence, including
four players in excess of 6'0", will be anchored by Nick
Aaviku.  The biggest question mark for the Lancers may be
in goal, having lost standout net minder Devin Desjardins to
graduation.  Two young goalies in Tyler Maslakewycz and
Matt Zawierzeniec look to fill the void in net this year.
Lively DSS Hawks
2005-2006 Record: 9-9-0
Lost in "B" Final to Chelmsford Flyers
Head Coach: Sean Gray
Though re-building, the 2006-2007 Hawks will feature a new and
improved defensive unit with some skilled offence up
front.  Coach Gray anticipates that what the team lacks in
size, they will more than make up for in discipline and
talent.  Look for this year's edition of the Hawks to
excel on the power play and improve by leaps and bounds as the
year progresses.
Lockerby Composite Vikings
2005-2006 Record: 8-9-1
Lost in "B" Quarter Final to Chelmsford
Head Coach: Dan Colton
Here is a team that has always had more than its fair share of
talent and depth, but tends to under achieve due to discipline
issues and a lack of team play.  This year may prove
different.  With a new coach in Dan Colton at the helm,
the Vikings have shown every indication that they may be one of
the teams to beat this year, racking up impressive wins over
Manitoulin (10-2 on Oct. 21) and Lively (5-2 on Oct. 13) before
dropping their lone decision to the Lancers (8-5 on Oct.
31).
Lo-Ellen Park Knights
2005-2006 Record: 2-16-0
Failed to advance to "B" playoffs
Head Coach: Logan Bayer, Chris Holmes
The Knights are a major question mark in everyone's minds with
mixed results in the exhibition schedule adding to the
mystery.  Under a new coaching tandem in Bayer and Holmes,
the purple and gold knocked off the Cardinals on October 11 by
a score of 4-3, then the Chelmsford Flyers 5-3 on October 20,
but then dropped an 8-1 decision to Notre-Dame on October
24.  Which Knights' team will show up once the regular
season starts?  Time will tell.
Manitoulin Mustangs
2005-2006 Record: 11-4-0
Lost in Division "A" Semi Finals to Confederation Chargers
Head Coach: Mike Meeker
With the youngest team in years and only six returnees, the
Mustangs will be challenged to step up the next level and
challenge for a spot in the top division. The Mustangs will
feature lots of talent and speed but will have to adjust to a
faster and more skillful league than they experienced in the
past.  The defence has good size and a great attitude,
which will compliment solid and experienced goaltenders. 
A combination of raw talent and a good work ethic will serve
this team well late into the schedule.
St. Benedict Bears
2005-2006 Record: 9-7-0
Finished Fifth - Failed to Advance to "A" Division Playoffs
Head Coach: Cornel Jasinsky
Eight returning players including three forwards will be a big
help in rolling out three talented forward lines for the Bears
this year. The weakness for this team may come from the
defence, with only one returnee, two Grade 9 players, one Grade
10 and three Grade 11 players.  The group will have to
learn fast as the league progresses for this team to enjoy any
type of success. 
St. Charles Cardinals
2005-2006 Record: 9-8-1
Lost in Division "B" Semi Finals to Chelmsford
Head Coach: Rob Zanatta
With only three returning players, the Cards are certain to be
in a re-building mode this year, but early results from the
exhibition season are encouraging, notching a pair of wins
against one loss. The Cards' strengths lie in team speed,
rolling out three solid lines and strong goaltending. The
question mark for this team rests on the defence, and the young
and untested core that may have their work cut out for them as
the season progresses. They are expected to finish fourth.
