SPORTS CHAT: Minor hockey titles
What Cape Breton association has the most provincial championship wins since 1970?
In uncertain times, especially for sports organizations and associations, the power of positivity can go a long way.
Last week's Sports Chat discussed provincial championships within the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation for Cape Breton high schools.
The column sparked quite a bit of conversation, which led to the question — what about minor hockey associations and provincial titles?
After some research, Cape Breton County/Coxheath have won 29 provincial championships since 1970, according to data made available by Hockey Nova Scotia.
Cape Breton County has four provincial titles in the female under-13 division. The association also has three championships at the under15 'A' level. The County has provincial wins at both the juvenile 'A' and 'B' divisions.
Cape Breton County is currently the last Cape Breton team to win an under-13 'AAA' provincial title. The victory came during the 1978-79 season — yes, you're reading that correctly.
The Northside, which includes North Sydney and Sydney Mines, has won 25 championships over the past 50 years.
Combined, the North Sydney and Sydney Mines minor hockey associations have won a Cape Breton-record six provincial titles at the under13 'A' level. The Northside also has three provincial wins in the following divisions: under-11 'A', under-15 'A' and under-18 'C'.
Glace Bay has recorded 21 provincial wins during the same time frame. The association has three victories at the under-15 'AA' level as well as the female under-13 'A' division.
Cape Breton West follows Glace Bay with 20 championships. The association has four victories in both the under-13 'B' and female under-15 'AA' divisions.
The Inverness association, once known as Central Inverness, has recorded 17 provincial titles. Five female under-15 titles were claimed by Inverness teams, while four championships were captured at the under-18 female level.
New Waterford and Sydney/Whitney Pier both have 16 provincial championships during the same period.
The New Waterford Sharks have taken home three provincial titles at both the under-15 'A' and under18 'A' divisions. The Sharks have the lone minor under18 'AAA' provincial win in the past 20 years, which came during the 2003-04 season.
Meanwhile, Sydney/Whitney Pier have combined for three championships at the under-13 'AAA' and under15 'AA' divisions. They also take credit for two of the island's four under-11 'AAA' titles.
Strait Richmond/Strait Area have seven titles, followed by Baddeck and Cheticamp with five each. It should be noted some of the Cheticamp victories are included in the Cape Breton West numbers as indicated by Hockey Nova Scotia.
A highlight worth noting is the lone championship won by the Whycocomagh Oilers association. The title came in the under-18 'B' division during the 2002-03 season.
Overall, Cape Breton teams have found the most success in the under-15 'A' division. In total, 14 teams have won titles at that level including Cape Breton County, New Waterford, Glace Bay, Northside, Cape Breton West and Port Hood.
Cape Breton teams also own 13 provincial championships at the under-15 'A' division.
Despite the records made available by Hockey Nova Scotia, championship wins for the 2018-19 season were not available.
Meanwhile, provincial championships were cancelled for 2019-20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.