Ottawa Valley Titans looking to win gold at Ontario Winter Games
An Ottawa Valley under-14 hockey team is dominating the competition at the Ontario Winter Games in Renfrew County this weekend, and looking to become some of the first local athletes to win medals for the region.
The Ottawa Valley Titans won their Saturday morning game versus Sault Ste. Marie 13-4, leaving them undefeated heading into Saturday's semifinals.
Leading the Titans on their path to victory is Arnprior native and head coach Scott Buffam.
"To be in my adopted hometown leading a phenomenal group of young men is like a dream come true to be honest with you," Buffam told CTV News following the team's big win.
This is Buffam's first year as head coach of the Titans, but he has spent the better part of the past three decades dedicating his life to the Ottawa Valley, both on and off the ice.
"To be (playing the games) in a community that my family is from; my mom and dad are from here, I taught here for 20 years."
Buffam also shares valley connections with four of his players.
"I felt we were the underdogs in this tournament," said Andrew Enright, a defenceman on the team from Cobden.
"But we've played a team twice and lost twice already, and then we played them again and beat them this time."
The Titans are one of the eight best U14 teams from across the province competing at the Ontario Winter Games, along with teams from places like Ottawa, Barrie, and Toronto.
They're out to prove that the best hockey doesn't have to come from big cities.
"It's a lot of fun and I think the competition is the best part of the game," says defenceman and Eganville resident Tyler McEnery. "And now that we're playing against Toronto teams we get a different type of hockey play."
For many of the 13- and 14-year-olds on the Titans, they have big dreams of making it to the NHL, but they're keeping their feet and sticks on the ice for the next games ahead.
"I think it's a good opportunity but I also think that we're still very young and there's lots of years to come until we hit that spot," says forward Kaden McGregor from Braeside.
"I think it would be great to win this," adds goaltender Brian Rathwell of Pembroke. "However, if we don't, just the experience itself has been great."
As a teacher and coach, Buffam's success is measured in the growth of his players rather than the colour of medals that may hang from their necks.
"To see these boys be able to get in a position to grow towards that and have a role in that is the most rewarding thing a coach or a teacher could ever ask for."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.