Login:  
  VJW '97 Elites Take Their Game to Canada
bauerchallenge09_logo.jpgThe Valley Jr Warriors '97 Elites capped off a week of play at the Bauer Challenge Cup by claiming the top spot in the consolation bracket.

Although the Warriors - which posted a 5-1 overall record - did not advance to the championship bracket (the team lost out in a tiebreaker), they made the most of their time by winning their last five games against some of North America's top talent including the Toronto Jr Canadians, Brampton Battalion and Toronto Titans.

In that consolation bracket final, the Warriors defeated the Toronto Nationals by a score of 4-2.

In what was an impressive team performance from start to finish, the team was led offensively by four players who finished in the top eight in overall scoring for the tournament. Noah Hanifin led the way by netting 11 goals and four assists in six games, while Cam Askew (5-6--11), Casey Fitzgerald (3-4--7) and Eric MacAdams (2-5--7) were also big contributors.

The only loss for the Warriors in the event proved to be a costly one as the team's day-one overtime defeat at the hands of the Sun County Panthers put them in a tie with three other teams for the final championship bracket spot. Despite the disappointment of not being able to challenge for the top spot, the Warriors came together and battled through the consolation bracket with victories against the North Jersey Avalanche, Toronto Titans and Toronto Nationals. Interestingly, the championship bracket finalist team was the Toronto Jr Canadians, a team the Warriors defeated by a score of 4-2 during the preliminary round robin portion of the event.

Here is a summary of the Valley Jr Warriors '97 Elites play at the 2009 Bauer Challenge Cup.
December 27
Sun County Panthers def. Valley Jr Warriors, 3-2 (OT)

December 28
Valley Jr Warriors def. Toronto Jr. Canadiens, 4-2
Valley Jr Warriors def. Brampton Battalion, 7-2

December 29
Valley Jr Warriors def. North Jersey Avalanche, 8-1
Valley Jr Warriors def. Toronto Titans, 3-2 (OT)

December 30
Valley Jr Warriors def. Toronto Nationals, 4-2

Click here for complete coverage from the 2009 Bauer Challenge Cup.

2009 Bauer Challenge Cup - 12/30 Update
The VJW '97 Elites continued their strong play on Tuesday as they posted two victories in the consolation bracket of the 2009 Bauer Challenge Cup.

After failing to advance to the championship round of play (the squad lost out in a tiebreaker), the Warriors wasted no time showing that they were still one of the best teams in the tournament. In the team's first game of the consolation round, the Warriors defeated the North Jersey Avalanche by a dominating score of 8-1. 

The '97 Elites then used an overtime period to defeat the Toronto Titans, 3-2, to advance to the finals of the consolation round. The final challenge for the Warriors will be a showdown with the Toronto Nationals at 10:00 a.m.

2009 Bauer Challenge Cup - 12/29 Update
The Valley Jr Warriors are proving that they are indeed one of the top Peewee teams in the nation. Following two days of action, the Warriors posted a 2-1 record which include strong victories against the Toronto Jr Canadians and Brampton Battalion.

In its first contest of the tournament, the VJW '97 Elites suffered a tough 3-2 overtime loss against the Sun County Panthers. The squad made up for that stinging loss by posting a 4-2 win over the Toronto Jr Canadians and then a 7-2 victory against the Brampton Battalion.

Despite the team's strong play, the Warriors did not advance to the championship bracket as they lost out in a tiebreaker. There is still much work to be done, however, as the VJW '97 Elites will look to win three more games and capture the top spot in the consolation bracket. The squad will look to take part in two games on Tuesday (the first contest will be a showdown with the North Jersey Avalanche) and then the consolation bracket final game on Wednesday.

"To lose in a tiebreaker is a tough pill to shallow and the kids are disappointed," said Steve MacAdams, the VJW Director of Program Development who also serves as an assistant coach for the ’97 Elites. “We came into this tournament looking to play six games and hopefully we will continue to play well and still play those six games."

2009 Bauer Challenge Cup - Event Preview
There will be no rest for the weary following Christmas Day for one Valley Jr Warriors squad. The ’97 Elites will hit the road on December 26 and head north to take part in one of the most prestigious tournaments in North America.

The Warriors are one of just four teams from the United States that were selected to compete in the 2009 Bauer Challenge Cup. Sponsored and managed by the Greater Toronto Hockey League, this annual event brings together a field of the continent’s top Peewee AAA Canadian and American teams.

“Every game will be competitive and that is something that the coaches are looking forward to,” said Steve MacAdams, the VJW Director of Program Development who also serves as an assistant coach for the ’97 Elites. “We team are excited to see how our players respond to the challenge, but no matter what it will certainly make us a stronger team heading into the final months of the season.”

Thus far it has been a season to remember for the young squad as they have posted a 17-0 record in Massachusetts State Select League play. Over the course of that perfect stretch, the Warriors have scored 161 goals and allowed just 11 for a jaw-dropping 150 goal differential. Snuggled in between those league wins were a divisional title at the 2009 Warrior Thanksgiving Tournament, two strong wins over national powerhouse Team Comcast and a three-victory performance at the 2009 Bauer International Invitational.

The team will no doubt face its greatest challenge next week when it heads to the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The Valley Jr Warriors will compete in Division 3 alongside the Jr Canadians, Brampton Battalion and Sun County Panthers. In total, seven of the top 10 teams listed in the current Ontario 97 AAA Rankings – including the top-ranked Toronto Marlboros – will be in action next weekend.

While the list of teams competing in this year’s event is impressive, the quality of talent that has competed in this tournament is unmatched. Since 1978, graduates of the 2009 Bauer Challenge Cup (formerly known as the Bell Challenge Cup) include Steven Stamkos, Jason Spezza, Patrick Kane, Brendan Shanahan, Joe Sakic, Rick Nash, Mike Cammalleri, Tood Bertuzzi, Marty Turco, to name just a few.

The tournament consists of a round-robin format with each team being guaranteed four games. The fourth game comes at the conclusion of the Preliminary round where the 1st and 2nd place teams in each of the four divisions advance to the Quarter-Finals of the Championship round.

Here is a schedule of play for the Valley Jr Warriors

December 27
12:00 p.m. – Valley Jr Warriors vs Sun County Panthers

December 28
10:30 a.m. – Valley Jr Warriors vs Jr. Canadiens
6:00 p.m. – Valley Jr Warriors vs Brampton Battalion

December 29
Quarterfinals & Semifinals

December 30
Consolation & Championship Finals
  
  INDEX
 Jul 15, 10
King of What? - By Mike Lynch
 May 14, 10
Triumph and Courage - By Mike Lynch
 Apr 30, 10
Like Father Like Daughter; Alex Carpenter Is Carving Out Her Own Legacy
 Apr 30, 10
The Year to Remember Continues for Former VJW Player Chris Kreider
 Apr 20, 10
Keeping #5 Alive - By Mike Lynch
 Apr 16, 10
Tournament Action Returns to Haverhill in 2010
 Apr 10, 10
Magical Season Comes to an End for VJW '97 Elites at USA Hockey Nationals
 Apr 9, 10
A Class Act - By Mike Lynch
 Apr 8, 10
VJW '97 Elites Loss Sets Stage for Third Day Showdown at Nationals
 Apr 8, 10
VJW '97 Elites Post 3-2 Win Over Columbus at USA Hockey Nationals
 Apr 6, 10
VJW '97 Elites Arrive in New York; Prepare to Take On Nation's Best
 Apr 2, 10
Former VJW Junior A Player Colin Mulvey Captures NCAA National Title
 Mar 22, 10
VJW '97 Elites Prepare for USA Hockey Nationals
 Mar 21, 10
Chris Kreider - Former VJW Standout - Leads BC to NCAA Tournament
 Mar 17, 10
Nothing is Impossible - By Mike Lynch
 Sep 8, 09
Valley Jr Warriors Excel at Labor Day Face-Off Invitational
 Mar 15, 10
Former VJW Junior A Star Cucci Shines in Hockey East Battle
 Mar 14, 10
VJW Mite Selects Bask in NEHL Championship Glory
 Mar 14, 10
VJW '97 Elites Punch Ticket to USA Hockey Nationals in April
 Mar 14, 10
VJW '99 Selects Celebrate Mass State Select League Championship
 Mar 14, 10
VJW '98 Elites Capture New England Hockey League Title
 Mar 7, 10
Former VJW Junior A Standout Nets Year-End League Honors
 Mar 5, 10
Non Sibi - By Mike Lynch
 Feb 22, 10
What Can You Do For Brown? - By Mike Lynch
 Feb 11, 10
VJW Squirt Major Selects Make a Difference Both On and Off the Ice
 Feb 11, 10
VJW Squirt Major Selects Take Time to Help Others In Need
 Feb 5, 10
Valley Jr Warriors Coach Bob Sweeney Joins Beanpot Hall
 Feb 3, 10
Tewksbury Tough - By Mike Lynch
 Jan 5, 10
VJW Teams Battle For Titles at the 2010 JWK Holiday Tournament
 Jan 19, 10
VJW '98 Elites Jonathan Folsom Featured in Local Newspaper
 Jan 18, 10
Standing Tall - By Mike Lynch
 Jan 5, 10
VJW '98 Selects Capture Boston Jr Terriers Tournament Title
 Jan 4, 10
Taking the Pledge in 2010 - By Mike Lynch
 Dec 31, 09
Valley Jr Warriors '98 Elites Take On Bell Capital Cup Challenge
 Dec 28, 09
Former VJW Standout Chris Kreider & Team USA Are World Champions
 Dec 23, 09
Former VJW Star Kreider Named to the 2010 U.S. National Junior Team
 Dec 23, 09
VJW '97 Elites Take Their Game to Canada
 Dec 17, 09
Holiday Shopping List - By Mike Lynch
 Dec 14, 09
Haverhill Valley Forum Enjoys Its Fourth Year of Operation In Style
 Dec 11, 09
Eastern Junior Hockey League Featured in Recent USA Hockey Magazine
 Dec 6, 09
Walking Tall - By Mike Lynch
 Dec 4, 09
Former VJW Players Shine On Collegiate Scene
 Nov 18, 09
Call to Glory - By Mike Lynch
 Nov 15, 09
14th Annual Warrior Classic Comes to a Close
 Nov 15, 09
VJW Teams Battle at Mass State Championship Playdowns
 Nov 12, 09
Riki Retelle Earns EJHL Defensive Player of the Week Honors
 Nov 12, 09
VJW Teams Set For Mass Hockey Tier I & Tier II State Championship Playdowns
 Nov 10, 09
Valley Jr Warriors Junior As Enjoy Weekend Sweep Over CD Selects
 Nov 8, 09
Welcome Home - 4 VJW Teams Return After Strong Showing in Chicago
 Nov 6, 09
Courage - By Mike Lynch
 Nov 1, 09
VJW Teams Poised to Face the Best of the Best
 Oct 30, 09
VJW Junior A Team Making Big Strides
 Oct 13, 09
VJW U-16 IIs Continue Winning and Championship Ways
 Oct 20, 09
The Golden Tornado - By Mike Lynch
 Oct 20, 09
VJW '95 Elites - Picking Up Where They Left Off
 Oct 20, 09
Steve MacAdams Brings Experience & Success to VJW
 Oct 25, 09
USA Hockey Announces H1N1 Recommendations
 Oct 5, 09
No Early Season Jitters for the VJW '98 Elites
 Oct 5, 09
Great Expectations - From Mike Lynch
 Sep 29, 09
VJW Mite Minors Off to a Fast (and Fun!) Start
 Sep 22, 09
VJW '99 Selects Make a Difference On and Off the Ice
 Sep 21, 09
VJW U-16 Midget Standout Brian Ward Heads to Dartmouth College
 Sep 16, 09
VJW Teams Post Impressive 5-1 Record Against Team Comcast
 Sep 16, 09
VJW '96 Selects Skate to Victory at Summer Cool-Off Tournament
 Sep 15, 09
Tom Terrific - Mike Lynch Reflects on Tom Brady
 Sep 8, 09
Valley Jr Warriors '98 Elites Capture WNS Title
 Sep 9, 09
VJW - Junior A Season Preview
 Sep 2, 09
A Happy New Year From Mike Lynch
 Aug 18, 09
VJW's JJ Layton Heads to Little League World Series
 Jul 19, 09
VJW Players Shine at 2009 USA Hockey Player Development Camp
 Jun 29, 09
Chris Kreider Selected No. 19 in 2009 NHL Entry Draft
 Jun 18, 09
VJW Tournaments Make a Return to Haverhill in 2009
 Jun 1, 09
VJW Junior A Team Welcomes Two Key Players for 2009-10 Season