Camden brothers enjoying major midget hockey
Patton an all-around athlete
The trip to the Dartmouth Sportsplex from Camden is rather routine for brothers Gavynn and Chase Carter.
The Carter brothers play in the Nova Scotia Major Midget AAA Hockey League with the Steve Crowell-coached Dartmouth Steele Subaru Major Midgets.
It’s an experience the brothers are enjoying.
“We practice twice a week in Dartmouth,” Chase, 16, a defenceman, said. “We play two to three games each week, it’s really a great experience. Being on the ice a lot is important; it keeps you on top of your game. We try to come to the rink prepared.”
Products of the Truro & Area Minor Hockey Association, Gavynn and Chase played last season with the Nova Scotia midget AA champion MU Rhino Renovations Bearcats.
“The hockey level is higher this season,” Gavynn, 17, a right winger, said. “The speed and the body contact, I find I have to keep my head up more, if you don’t, there’s a player waiting for you. I’m really enjoying From left, Camden brothers Chase and Gavynn Carter, major midget hockey players with Dartmouth Steele Subaru.
the season, this has been one of my most enjoyable years in hockey.”
Chase has bounced back from an early season injury.
“I felt I was playing my best hockey early in the season, unfortunately a concussion cost me two months. I’m getting back into things now, I’m working hard as it’s quite a jump from midget AA to major midget. The speed, the intensity and the strength of the players, I’m working on knowing where my teammates are and keeping from making mistakes.”
The two players reflected on early hockey memories.
“Our father (Craig Carter) coached us more than anyone over the years,” Gavynn said.
on Friday and say he’s expected to play for the Checkers on tonight.
Bickell, 30, has been out since October, was diagnosed with MS in November and was placed on injured reserve Nov. 11.
The three-time Stanley Cup winner with Chicago has been practising with the Hurricanes for the past month.
“During games, he even had videos taken, to go over with us to show us what we had to work on. Both on the ice and off the ice, most of all that has been important in hockey – our father has been there helping us out. Dad has really encouraged Chase and I right from when we started in hockey.”
Chase said he became interested in hockey at age three.
“My father helped me out playing pond hockey,” Chase recalled. “My interest grew as I went along. I kept watching older players, trying to learn from them and trying to get better. Hockey has been fun; I try to keep smiling and laughing around the ice no matter what’s going on.”
The Dartmouth Steele Subaru Major Midgets completed their regular season last weekend with 2-1 and 6-0 wins over Valley. Finishing second in the standings (28-8-0-2) behind only highly rated Cape Breton West, Dartmouth opens a bestof-seven playoff series today at 1:15 p.m. at the Dartmouth Sportsplex against the South Shore Mustangs.
“We play pretty well against South Shore,” said Gavynn. “But, this is a team we can’t take lightly. We’re in good shape going into the playoffs, we’re healthy, we’ve been practicing our power play, our penalty kill and execution.”
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Bible Hill’s Cameron “Cam” Patton is a standout area athlete. An outstanding pitcher in the summer in fastpitch softball, Patton excels at a high-level hockey during the winter as a centre with Newbridge Academy in Prep School Hockey.
Finishing in first place in the Prep School Hockey Federation with a 17-6 record, Newbridge Academy is preparing for the federation championship the first week in March in Rockland, Ont.
“We definitely want to win the PSHF championship,” Patton, 16, a Grade 11 student and second-year player, told me. “We won it last year and we want to defend the championship. We look pretty good going in, we appear ready.”
With his team playing in a second 10-team league made up of eight American teams, Patton’s combined season points total shows 15 goals and 35 assists.
“I’m definitely pleased with my season to date. I got a lot of ice time, I was used in all situations, I felt fully trusted by our coach, I appreciate that he gave me a lot of opportunities to play and be productive on the ice.”
Changing sports, Patton attend the Canadian junior fastpitch tryouts last weekend in Truro.
“It’s a long process but my goal is definitely to make the team,” the talented pitcher-infielder said.
“It would be awesome to play for Team Canada in the world juniors.”
Other local players trying out with Team Canada are Keegan Crowell, Rowan Sears, David Watson and Evan McNae. Cameron “Cam” Patton is shown in action with Newbridge Academy.