The Minor Bantam B Blazers went 5 and 0 at the Captial Mid-Season Showdown, November 26-28, to emerge as champions in the Minor Bantam division.

The Blazers won their first game convincingly 9-0 against the Amesbury Attack. They then went on to clip the Stouffville Clippers 5-1.

Their next game proved more challenging, however, they emerged with a 2-0 victory over the Brampton Battalion. After a stellar showing in the round robin, they were off to face the Bradford Bulldogs in the semi-final game, which they won 8-2. The championship game was the most exciting of the tournament; play was back and forth and the rink was loud with both sides cheering on their team. In the end the Blazers emerged as tournament champs with a 4-3 victory over the Brantford 99ers.

The team’s victory was bittersweet. One of their teammates, Brodie Rafter, was not playing with the team as he was recently diagnosed with cancer and was in hospital undergoing treatments. As the championship team roster was read out the loudest cheers, by far, were for Brodie.

While the Blazers hard work and sense of teamwork paid off on the ice, it was their teamwork off the ice that really showed their winning spirit. With Brodie’s jersey hanging up at the fundraising table for inspiration, they spent much of their off ice time working the crowds selling 50/50 tickets and raffle tickets to help Brodie’s family during this difficult time. Thanks to the boys’ hard work, generous donations from the hockey community, and the support of the host Stittsville Rams, the fundraising efforts were a success.

The Rafter family has a long road ahead of them and fundraising efforts are ongoing. In the meantime the Minor Bantam B Blazers are currently accepting donations on behalf of the family. For more information contact Lianne Johnsen, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Your Minor Bantam B champs – on and off the ice – are: Steven Bransfield, Aodhan Carey, Trent Gordon, Brendon Howard, Glenn Johnsen, Kyle King, Alex Levesque, Michael Lines, Johnathan MacAskill, Tanyon Matheson-Fitchett, Cameron McMaster, Owen Mototsune, Brandon Peacock, Brodie Rafter, Jeremy Seed, David Ure, Bobby Venier and Evan Wilson. Head coach is Rob Levesque, assistant coaches, Mark Mototsune, Alec Seed, and Jeff Ure, trainer Hugh Wilson, and team manager Rick Carey.