Photo and story by Max Lewis

In the hockey world, the line between friends and enemies is rather fine. Trades, drafts and international tournaments cause alliances to shift without a moment’s notice.

Chicago Blackhawks teammates Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are among the biggest names that put their Stanley Cup aspirations on hold to help their respective countries at the Olympics.

In the GTHL, it was not too long ago that Connor McDavid and Sam Bennett were terrorizing opponents with the Toronto Marlboros. Now they have are the newest faces in the Battle of Alberta.

Similar circumstances will unfold in a couple weeks when current GTHL players trade their Minor Midget AAA jerseys for national colours. Don Mills Flyers teammates Declan Chisholm and Tyler Weiss will be pitted against eachother as members of Team Canada and Team USA, respectively, at the Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway. Mississauga Senators goaltender Alexis Gravel will backstop Team Canada while his teammate Jeppe Meyer will represent Team Norway. Defenceman Ryan Merkley (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) and forward Allan McShane (Toronto Marlboros) also will play on the Canadian squad and forward Kirill Nizhnikov (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) will play for Team Russia.

It was clear in last night’s tilt between the Flyers and Senators that Chisholm, Weiss and Gravel are focused on the task at hand – to improve their place in the Kraft Cup standings – rather than the tournament that awaits overseas.

The contest was chippy and chaotic throughout, but Chisholm was calm and composed on the back end, making crisp outlet passes to start the rush, and stifling offensive opportunities against. Meanwhile, Weiss used his speed and quick hands to dance around opponents and find teammates at a whim.

After surrendering an early goal, Gravel battened down the hatches with his large frame and acrobatic nature. His performance was highlighted by a cross-crease slide to stone Weiss and preserve a 1-1 tie.

Like Kane and Toews in 2010, the Olympic experience was a diversion from the ultimate goal to win the Stanley Cup. Similarly, the Youth Olympics will be an amazing moment in the careers of these young players, but the focus will then shift back to the pursuit of their version of Lord Stanley, the GTHL championship and OHL Cup.

With OHL Cup berths on the line, the Flyers and Senators enter the Scotiabank GTHL Playoffs as underdogs. The four first-round winners automatically advance to the year-end tournament. An opening-round defeat doesn’t spell the end this year, however, as the four losing clubs will face off in a Wild Card Play-In series with two more spots up for grabs.

Based off last night’s performance, the road to the OHL Cup will be paved by a group of Olympians.