Article Credit: Rich Harvey.
As a follow up to the new Tri County Select League that was announced on the Rangers website in July, we have a spotlight on a few members of the 2023/2024 U13 Select team. First some background on the Select
League. The Select League falls under
the umbrella of the Oakville Rangers House League program. The Select League gives kids who are registered
in House League hockey the opportunity to play at a higher level against other
teams in a dedicated league. In terms of
time commitment, the Select League is generally one additional night per week
over and above the regular House League schedule. This gives families the benefit of
competitive hockey while also maintaining flexibility to participate in other
sports or hobbies. The Select League is
also a great option for players that have a desire to play at a higher level
within the Rangers organization, whether that is in the Advanced League or
Representative level hockey.
As mentioned earlier these 8 players were
on the 2023/2024 U13 Select team. The
Director of the Select Program for the Rangers, Rich Harvey, caught up with
them at an Oakville Blades camp at Sixteen Mile Creek Arena. In an open forum discussion, all of the
players mentioned that being on the Select team last year was the most fun they
have had in hockey. They all agreed that
the best thing to come out of their time on the team was the friendships they
have created with each other along with other members of the team who were not
part of this session. If it wasn’t for
the Select team they would not have made such a close bond with each other and
would not have attended the camp together.
The friendship also extended into
their House League games where there was some good-natured chirping going on
during games.
One of the other benefits of the Select
program that the players mentioned was the opportunity to work on their game
and play against tough competition in order to play for the Rangers at a higher
level. 5 of the players here have moved
up from House League and are playing on the U14 BB team along with the U14 A and
Red level Advanced teams.
In addition to these 8 players the entire
U13 Select team embodied all of the great attributes of playing Select hockey -
teamwork, camaraderie, selflessness, competitiveness and passion.
A reminder that Select team tryouts are running
from September 4th to September 7th.
Sign up forms are available for all age groups U10 through U18. If your child is registered in House League
hockey and would like to have a great experience playing on a Select team sign
up now.
For more information on the Select program and to sign-up for tryouts, please CLICK HERE