I've heard the proverb "It takes a whole village to raise a child" a lot over the past few years.
It's used to describe what it really takes to help a youngster gain a strong foothold in the world and ensure success as they mature.
This proverb can hold true for the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves right now, but it's wording has changed slightly to "It takes a whole city to make a national champion."
The team, which recently won the 2008 Rogers AAA Midget Hockey Championship, struggled to find ice time in the community so they can prepare for the national AAA midget championship in less than two weeks.
The Nickel Capital Wolves need other local sporting organizations to help them realize a rare dream of trying to win a national AAA midget championship.
Sudbury has never won a national AAA midget title. In fact, just getting to nationals at this level is considered remarkable. Sudbury last made a national event back in 1998, but they were the hosts and didn't win their way to the big dance. (That year, the team earned the silver medal.) The Sudbury AAA midgets last won the right to go to nationals back in 1994.
Without ice time, the team can't practice and stay at the top of their game, which they are right now.
Sudbury rolled through the GNML regular season and playoffs and the provincials with a record of 46-4-2.
It's an impressive record, but one that will not mean much if the Nickel Capital Wolves don't get extra practice times before the national championship.
The Copper Cliff Redmen AA novice squad is one team that has stepped up and stepped aside for the Nickel Capital Wolves.
The AA novice Redmen graciously donated their ice time on Thursday evening to the Nickel Capital Wolves.
The Redmen organization is hoping a few other clubs and groups will follow their lead and donate ice time to the Nickel Capital Wolves.
As of Thursday afternoon, many other organizations have stepped up and donated ice time. Figure skating groups and other hockey teams have made way for the Nickel Capital Wolves.
The team now has practice times today and this upcoming Saturday and Sunday as well. Next week, the team has secured more ice time on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
"The response from the community has been...simply amazing," team manager Albert Corradini said. "So many people and teams have stepped up to help us. We appreciate everything every one is doing for us. We can't say enough about these people."
This goes way beyond hockey people. This is truly about Greater Sudbury as a whole and how we look on the national stage. The Nickel Capitals are also representing Ontario, so there's quite a bit at stake.
Yes, it's a huge honour to make nationals at this level, but at the same time, we need our representative to be at their absolute best so they can make Sudbury proud.
I've lived my entire life in this community and I know how proud the people are from Sudbury. I know, deep down, regardless of their personal tastes, when they look at the big picture, they will want Sudbury to win the national crown as it makes us all look good and gives us another thing to be proud of.
I know a few more groups can find it in their big hearts to donate ice time to help these kids between the ages of 15 and 18.
Anyone looking to help out can contact the Nickel Capital Wolves can contact manager Albert Corradini at 522-3338, 688-7746 or 698-1593.
