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Little Flyers Victorious


While the rest of the country was getting a reminder of the 1980 USA Olympic Hockey team's "Miracle On Ice", the Delaware Valley was treated to a little miracle of it's own, thanks to the efforts of a tean of 11 and 12 year olds playing out of Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell, NJ.

The Philadelphia Little Flyers Pee Wee Minors (92s) became the first American hockey team ever to win the prestigious Bernieres-St.Redemepteur Tournament in it's storied 29-year history. Against extremely long odds, the little Flyers defeated teams from Quebec (the TRois City Vipers), two teams from Nova Scotia (Cole Hambourg and the Sackville Flyers) and a powerhouse team from Slovakia (Bartislava). The Little Flyers were the only true Minor Team (USA Hockey Rules) in the tournament since Quebec rules allows for the inclusion of 1992, 1991 and the last 3 months of 1990 birth year players on Peewee teams.

"In order to win a tournament of this stature, you have to have everyone playing as a team," said coach Guy Gaudreau. "The credit really belongs to the parents as much as the team. They're all on the same page. They let me coach, they support what we do here, and have shown incrdible support for their kids."

The Little Flyers played in the top Class AA division, which was home to nine other teams including the onyl other American team, the NJ All-Stars. The NJ All-Stars consisted of a group of travel players culled from the rosters of the top Atlantic District Pee Wee teams from Northern NJ. The Little Flyers tied the Vipers 5-5 on the tournament's opening game, and found their footing in their second game of the tournament, defeating Cole Hambourgh 4-2.

In their third game, the Flyers played against perhaps the most talented team in the tournament, Bratislava.

The team from Slovakia was ahead 1-0 heading into the third period, and the Flyers faced elimination should they lose. But an incredible effort against a very good defensive team in the final period yielded two Little Flyers goals and a 2-1 victory.

"That team from Slovakia, they're probably a better team than we are," Gaudreau said. "But these kids didn't quit. We stuck to the system we use and the kids played above their heads, really."

The win but the Little Flyers in the quarterfinals, where they defeated another Nova Scotia team, the Sackville Flyers 4-2. in the semifinals the Little Flyers shutout the Suroit Express, which set up a rematch with the Trois City Vipers in the finals. This time, the Flyers won 5-2 and the celebration was on.

"This core of players has been togther for three years now, and a lot of them have been playing hockey since age four," Gaudreau said. "It's a great accomplishment for them."

Gaudreau hopes to have the majority of the team back next season at the Pee Wee Major level. "This group of kids get along great, and so do the parents. I've been coaching a long tome, and I've never seen anything like it around here, where both the kids and parents are so much on the same page. The commitment level from the kids - be it for practice, skill development, training, whatever we do - it's a product of the parent's commitment to the kids."

The team had enjoyed a great deal of success all year long. The 92s recently won the AYHL playoffs at their level which were held at ProSkate in MonMouth Junction NJ, and were runners-up in the prestigious Silver Sticks tournament this season. They lost to the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in the finals, a team considered to be the best in all of Canada in it's age group.








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