The Bancroft Jets U13B are chasing the red hat.
The team punched its ticket to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association’s Tier 1 tournament in Kingston April 3-5.
The Jets qualified by defeating Campbellford Colts in two straight games in an Eastern Ontario Minor Hockey League final series.
“They’re so special. It’s such a good group of kids, and it’s fun,” said head coach Jonathan Swift.
“It’s all about them, and we try to make every game and practice the best experience. They’re awesome,” he added.
Swift explained much of the team is getting a second chance to bring home a gold medal, along with the famous OMHA Red Hat.
“My son is a second-year U13, which is a lot of the team. In Tier 3 last year, they made it all the way to the final game and lost in overtime. That was a heartbreaker.”
The coach has used motivational slogans all season in the locker room, but mainly one that says, “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
Swift said the goal is always to have his kids outwork their opponents.
“We can’t control how skilled our opponent is, but we can control how hard we work.”
Swift helped with practices partway through last season when a coach went down with a medical issue, something that allowed him to develop connections with the players he didn’t know very well heading into this season.
Swift said having a great group of players on the ice is only part of the battle to have a successful minor hockey team and he’s fortunate to have a great coaching staff and manager, along with supportive and positive parents.
“I am surrounded by awesome people, and I am fortunate to have an amazing set of kids and parents alike.”
He also thanked the Bancroft and area hockey community for coming out in droves to support the team’s playoff run.
The Jets start the tournament on Friday, April 3, at 1:30 p.m. Wallaceburg and South Muskoka are part of the Jets pool, with the final team to be determined tonight (Thursday), when the loser of the Brock–Ennismore matchup completes the four-team group.
