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July 4, 2008

Elite skaters begin play today

By JOHN CORYER

PLATTSBURGH -- The newly-formed Champlain Valley Elite Junior A Developmental Team figures to be in for a good test this weekend.

The Elite open their summer season today through Sunday at the Hartford Junior A Tournament, being held in Simsbury, Ct..

"Our Junior A team has won this tournament the last three years, including a 2-1 win over the Northern Connecticut Wings last year in the championship game," said Elite general manager/head coach Justin Frechette.

"Our Junior A Developmental Team, however, is a much younger team and it's going to be a big challenge to see how well we stack up in the tournament.

"We've had a great week of practice and were able to implement our systems. We seem to have very good team chemistry."

The Elite A Developmental Team has more of a North Country flavor to it, with 12 players on the roster who either played or play in the Champlain Valley Athletic Conference or Northern Athletic Conference.

Team captains include Darcy Findlay, Landon Lavictoire, Eddie Montgomery and Cadyville's Kevin O'Connell.

"We need five things to happen for us to be successful in the tournament," said Frechette. "We have to do some basics and get great leadership from our older players. We also need to play with passion and emotion.

"Great goaltending is a must and I'm confident we can get that. We have to take advantage of our powerplay and also stay out of the penalty box.

"If we do all those, we have a great opportunity to win. But, we have to be ready to go from the opening shift because teams will be gunning for us."

The Elite A Developmental Team's first game in the tournament is tonight at 9:15 p.m. against the Northern Connecticut Wings A.

Saturday, Champlain Valley plays Powershack, out of Rhode Island, and the New England Prep Selects. Then on Sunday, the Elite tangle with the Northern Connecticut Wings Premiere.

The tournament championship game is set for Sunday at 3 p.m.

"All games, including the championship game, are two, 25-minute halves," Frechette said. "One team will probably be 4-0 and another 3-1 that meets in the championship game. I'd rather win our four games and not rely on tie-breakers."

The Elite Junior A Team opens its summer schedule next weekend at home, hosting the Canadian Future Pros, a team out of Toronto, in a three-game series July 11-12-13 at the Lake City Stars Arena. Game times are at 8 p.m., 7 p.m. and noon, respectively, and tickets are available at the door.

Both the Elite A and Elite A Developmental Teams will then take part in the organization's home tournament, the Warren Tire Summer Shootout, on July 18-20.

--

Hartford Jr. A Hockey Tournament

Tonight

9:15 p.m.- Elite A Developmental vs. Northern Connecticut Wings A

Saturday

12:30 p.m.- Elite A Developmental vs. Powershack, Rhode Island

6:30 p.m.- Elite A Developmental vs. New England Prep Selects

Sunday

9 a.m.- Elite A Developmental vs. Northern Connecticut Wings Premiere

3 p.m.- championship

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