February 18, 2020

Guilford, Conn., -  The U16 Elite Hockey Academy Premier team went up to Toronto, Canada this past weekend and won the 2020 World Sport School Challenge U16 Division, winning 5-1 against the Edge School out of Calgary, AB. 

After the disappointment of the ECEL playoffs, this group wanted to win a championship and add a banner in Northford. Head Coach Peter Alden was proud of how this group came together and didn't let the long travel affect its play on the ice.“I think the travel hurt us a little bit in the first game,” Alden said. “But as a team, we decided that we were not going to waste any more moments down the stretch. I think the road trip galvanized us as a team and gave us a lot of motivation to come away with the title." 

Dakota Spear (Fairbanks, AK) led the way offensively with a goal and two helpers, while Logan Nickerson (East Haddam, CT), Jack Badeer (Ridgefield, CT), Brenden Coon (Texas) and Brady Schultz (Monroe, CT) rounded out the scoring in the 5-1 win.   Brooks McLean needed to produce some big stops, and that is exactly what he did. McLean stopped 27 pucks of the 28 shots that he saw during the game. 

Elite Hockey Academy was dominant all weekend long. The team scored a combined 32 goals throughout the five games it played over the weekend. Six players averaged a point a game, including Dakota Spear, who put up 14 points over the five games.

Another factor that was huge this weekend is the Canada-USA rivalry. Alden believes that this added to the excitement of the tournament. “I think anytime you play a team from Canada, as an American, it gives you a little bit of added motivation,” explained Alden.  "You want to show off some national pride. "

After a long weekend up in the Great White North, they will have the weekend off before heading down to Philly to compete in the AYHL Playoffs. The matchups are set, and Elite Hockey Academy will play one of the top-ranked teams in the nation, the North Jersey Avalanche. For more info including the time of puck drop and information about the playoffs Click Here 

For more information on the Elite Hockey Program and player opportunities, please visit www.EliteHockeyProgram.com or email Peter Alden at Palden@EliteHockeyAAA.com.