LOCAL PLAYERS FEATURED ON INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT ROSTER

Dec 11, 2017

Several area players will have the opportunity of a lifetime in February, as they will compete in the Quebec International Pee Wee tournament, one of the most notable and prestigious tournaments in the world.

Nine players from the Jr. Comets, along with four players from New Hartford and one from Whitestown will make up a big part of the Syracuse Stars team heading north in a few months. The team begins practice tonight at the Adirondack Bank Center.

“We’re excited,” said coach Adam Pawlick. “We have a lot of kids with high skill levels. Tonight will be a lot of systems work, but the biggest challenge is getting the kids to play as a team. Besides tryouts, they haven’t skated together as a team yet.”

Joining Pawlick behind the bench for the tournament is Utica Comets president Robert Esche, along with Jr. Comets Director Bill Horton, Patrice Robitaille, and Bill Gall.

Horton shares Pawlick’s excitement and looks forward to displaying the area’s hockey talent on the world stage.

“It makes us proud as an organization that we can move our players to have an opportunity to play in the number one tournament in the world for their age group,” he added.

“We’re providing an unbelievable experience for these kids. It will truly be a once in a lifetime experience they get to share with their new teammates and hopefully build lifelong friendships.”

The team will be participating in the AA Elite Division, the second highest in the tournament. The tournament runs from February 7 to February 18, 2018 at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Quebec.