About 62 players attended this year’s tryouts for the Bantam AAA Eastman Selects roster. The tryouts lasted ten days and went through three stages of cuts. At the end, 11 forwards, six defence-men, and two goalies were selected to join this year’s team.
Niverville player Hayden Fast made the cut, as well as Matthew Egan from St. Adolphe.
“I am very excited to play with this group of guys this year, and as well play for the great coaching staff,” says Fast.
Practices and team meetings started the day after team selection. The Selects have since been practicing in Landmark, which will also be the location for all home games this season.
The hockey season began quickly with a trip to Thompson, where they played back-to-back league games on September 30 and October 1. This will be followed by a Bantam Showcase tournament at the MTS Iceplex from October 6–8.
Another tournament comes up on December 7–11 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The team will encounter some stiff competition from a number of teams from the West. Later in the season, the Selects will play two tournaments in February, one being provincials. Some players will also have the opportunity to play in the Manitoba Winter Games.
“There is a great atmosphere on this team,” says Fast. “[It’s a] very competitive group that wants to achieve a lot of goals and at the same time have a ton of fun doing it! I am very proud to call Niverville my home and to be able to represent my hometown on this team!”
The team is led by Chuck Edwards (head coach), Todd Anderson and Tony Lenchyshyn (assistant coaches), Kate Wiens (trainer), and Roger Storoschuk (goalie coach).
