Eight young Carleton Place hockey players to compete in Battle of Ontario

Congratulations are in order for seven Carleton Place Canadians (CPC) hockey players, who have been specially selected to represent their team at the upcoming Battle of Ontario All-Star Event.

CPC players Sam Allaby, Henry Doucet, Finn Barton, Ryan Small, Tristan Boudreau, Calum Hartnell and Miller Kay will be heading to Smith Falls next week to compete in an eight-game series which will determine a champion.

CPC Head Coach and General Manager Brent Sullivan will also coach the “Young Stars Team” at the event, which will take place on Nov. 19 and 20. The Battle of Ontario is an opportunity for scouts to witness the talents of the top players from the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) and Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).

Coach Sullivan explained, “There were a couple of representatives from the teams that submitted some names to be considered. And we have 17 kids under the age of 18 on our rosters. So, you know, we have quite a large chunk of our roster that was going to be eligible for this.”

When asked what the deciding committee was looking for when determining the selected players, Sullivan shared, “It’s challenging to look for anything outside of performance, especially for what’s considered an all-star event. So you’re looking for production. You’re looking for those that have stood out, looking for those that have played key roles on their teams.”

Since its inception in Pembroke in 2009, the Battle of Ontario All-Star Event has become a yearly staple for up-and-coming hockey players throughout the province. According to the CCHL website, “The all-star teams will play in a tournament-style event with semifinal and championship games. The prospects will play in a showcase-style event. Games will be played using a modified two-period format and Hockey Canada rules.”

Coach Sullivan is looking forward to this year’s event, telling Lanarkist “It’s always fun to get our 12 teams in the same rink. But also, meeting so many guys across Ontario is always fun.”

He continued, “I always look at this from a player’s perspective. I was fortunate to play in an all-star game when I was younger, and I remember one of the best things is being able to build new relationships and contacts with kids across the league that you know you’re competing against…And then you get to know them off the ice, and you get to know them in a 48-hour event, or you’re like, hey, this guy’s not a bad dude. I think it’s a fun event in that way, to just get to see people in a different light.”

For a full list of players and tournament schedules, visit the CCHL website.