The Charlottetown Abbies feel ready to compete against the best teams in Atlantic Canada.
The confidence comes after playing a pair of all-star teams as a tune-up for the five-team Atlantic peewee AAA championship they are hosting beginning today at MacLauchlan Arena.
"We know we won't go up against any better teams than them," said Tanner MacLean, a 12-year-old centre from Charlottetown.
The games with the all-star teams came after losing the provincial final in overtime to the Mid-Isle Matrix.
CLICK HERE FOR A STORY ON THE MATRIX.
"We think if we execute our game plan, we bring good energy, the x-factor of playing in your home city, in your home province, we look to compete very well at this tournament and not be a token host team," said head coach Jeff Squires.
The Abbies have played consistently since mid-January, went undefeated in the round robin at provincials and defeated Sherwood 6-2 in the semifinal.
Squires said the team plays tight defensively while bringing a lot of energy.
"We forecheck well and that allows us to create some turnovers and gives us our chances."
Second-year centres MacLean and Alex Graham lead the offence while Matthew McQuaid and Jacob Squires anchor the back end.
"We're all getting ramping up now for a big weekend," Graham said.
The Abbies open play tonight against the Fredericton Express, the New Brunswick champs.
"They're excited and they're starting to understand that this isn't a traditional tournament," Squires said of his squad. "It's a chance to represent your province at the highest level for an Atlantic championship."
Roster
A look at the Charlottetown Abbies peewee AAA roster:
Goalies
Jackson Howatt
Keegan Duffy
Defencemen
Jacob Squires*
Landon MacDonald
Matthew McQuaid**
Nathan Mossey***
Will Morrision
Forwards
Alex Graham**
Bates Ling***
Brett Arsenault***
Cameron Squires***
Christopher Koughan
Jack Dickie
Jamie Collins
Kal White***
Tanner MacLean**
Noah Dow
Tyler MacKinnon
Tyler Worth
Coaching staff:
Head coach Jeff Squires
Assistant coach Kevin Maclean
Assistant coach Nick Hennessey
Trainer Joey MacKinnon
Manager Billy Dow
P.E.I. representative Mike White
* Captain
** Assistant captains
***Affiliated players
The Charlottetown Abbies feel ready to compete against the best teams in Atlantic Canada.
The confidence comes after playing a pair of all-star teams as a tune-up for the five-team Atlantic peewee AAA championship they are hosting beginning today at MacLauchlan Arena.
"We know we won't go up against any better teams than them," said Tanner MacLean, a 12-year-old centre from Charlottetown.
The games with the all-star teams came after losing the provincial final in overtime to the Mid-Isle Matrix.
CLICK HERE FOR A STORY ON THE MATRIX.
"We think if we execute our game plan, we bring good energy, the x-factor of playing in your home city, in your home province, we look to compete very well at this tournament and not be a token host team," said head coach Jeff Squires.
The Abbies have played consistently since mid-January, went undefeated in the round robin at provincials and defeated Sherwood 6-2 in the semifinal.
Squires said the team plays tight defensively while bringing a lot of energy.
"We forecheck well and that allows us to create some turnovers and gives us our chances."
Second-year centres MacLean and Alex Graham lead the offence while Matthew McQuaid and Jacob Squires anchor the back end.
"We're all getting ramping up now for a big weekend," Graham said.
The Abbies open play tonight against the Fredericton Express, the New Brunswick champs.
"They're excited and they're starting to understand that this isn't a traditional tournament," Squires said of his squad. "It's a chance to represent your province at the highest level for an Atlantic championship."
Roster
A look at the Charlottetown Abbies peewee AAA roster:
Goalies
Jackson Howatt
Keegan Duffy
Defencemen
Jacob Squires*
Landon MacDonald
Matthew McQuaid**
Nathan Mossey***
Will Morrision
Forwards
Alex Graham**
Bates Ling***
Brett Arsenault***
Cameron Squires***
Christopher Koughan
Jack Dickie
Jamie Collins
Kal White***
Tanner MacLean**
Noah Dow
Tyler MacKinnon
Tyler Worth
Coaching staff:
Head coach Jeff Squires
Assistant coach Kevin Maclean
Assistant coach Nick Hennessey
Trainer Joey MacKinnon
Manager Billy Dow
P.E.I. representative Mike White
* Captain
** Assistant captains
***Affiliated players
