A very excited group of local kids is busy today, packing their warmest clothes, ready to hit the road this weekend for a thrilling trip to the Great White North.
The "Squirt B" division of the Redwood City Black Stars youth hockey team - made up of local kids, ages 9 to 11, who play out of Ice Oasis on Bay Road - is fresh off its win at the Pacific Regional Tournament in San Jose, and has been invited to take part in the "Silver Stick" final tournament in Pelham, Ontario this weekend.
Challeen Flick, team manager for the Squirt B team, says the kids and their families - and, she included - couldn't be more thrilled about their accomplishment and their upcoming trip.
"Our club is fairly new to the travel hockey team world; this is our third year," she said. "So to have the opportunity to represent our club in Canada is quite extraordinary."
Flick said the team is currently at eight wins and only one loss for the season.
Almost as exciting as the competition in Canada was seeing their photo and a write-up in this month's edition of the hockey magazine, California Rubber.
The eight teams who emerged victorious from the Pacific Regional Tournament were featured in a spread on page 14 of the issue, which can be seen online. Though the Black Stars' other team, Squirt A, didn't make it into the Silver Stick tournament in Canada this weekend, they also won their match at the regionals in San Jose, and were therefore featured in the magazine as well.
The Squirt B team's coach, Terrence Sweeney, told the magazine he competed on a similar team in his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan as a child, but they never made it to the finals in Canada, so this trip with the Squirt B team will be very special for him.
"I'm excited to finally attend the big tournament," he said.
He also said, he couldn't be more proud of the kids and all of their hard work, and he's happy for them to see the rewards this weekend.
"This is one of those rare opportunities the kids and parents will remember their entire lives," he added. "It should be a great adventure."
The Silver Stick tournament takes place Jan. 10-13.
Do you know a child who plays on the Redwood City Black Stars? Give them a shout-out in the comments below!
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