The rosters are set, the players are ready, and all that needs to be done is for the puck to drop in the Midget AA All-Star Game as a part of the League’s 16th annual Midget All-Star Festival.
Forty Midget AA players are slated to participate in the event after being selected by the coaches in their respective division. The coaching staff was selected based on standings as of late December.
The division leading Streetsville Tigers (17-4-6) will have a game-high eight players dressed, followed by the third-place Greater Toronto Capitals (15-5-7) with seven. Rosters will be rounded out by players from the Mississauga Jets (19-3-3), Vaughan Rangers (13-4-8), Vaughan Panthers (9-12-6), North York Knights (13-8-6), Humber Valley Sharks (12-11-3), Toronto Aeros (7-15-6), and Markham Islanders (7-14-5).
The home team (White) will be coached by the Greater Toronto Capitals coaching staff. The away team (Red) will be led by the Streetsville Tigers coaching staff.
For many of the players, the Midget All-Star Festival signals that their time in minor hockey is coming to an end. For Markham Islanders forward Gabriel Schnurr, the event is all about seizing the moment.
“I am looking to make the most of my last year of minor hockey, and what better way to prove to myself it was all worth it than to be acknowledged by the league as an all-star,” said Schnurr. “I am very grateful for the opportunity I have been given.”
For Mississauga Jets goaltender David Giancola, the game is all about having fun and giving fans something to cheer about.
“It’s going to be a really fast-paced game with a lot of good puck moving and skill,” said Giancola. “I think it’s going to be great for all the people to come out and watch and see all the players in the AA loop that are high level and that can play at a high level.”
The Midget AA All-Star Game will get going at 4:30 p.m. Click here for a full schedule.