A community team

They’re not only playing well together as a team on the ice this season, but the London Junior Mustangs Minor Bantam Purple team has also come together and showcased their teamwork skills away from the rink as well – including participating as volunteers in this past fall’s CIBC Run for the Cure event.

It’s been a nice balance for the Minor Bantams this year, who have been improving their hockey skills on the ice and making a difference off it, in the London community.

The boys got off to a quick start on the ice this year, reaching the final in their first tournament together (they lost a tight game against the Halton Hills Thunder and came away with a silver medal). And they’ve been improving their skills ever since, against tough competition in the Alliance Hockey League (A/AA).

“We’re really working on developing our kids into hockey players who can understand the game at a high level, and can play as a 5-person unit in all three zones of the ice,” says Jonathan Brimmell, the team’s head coach. “We’re a very fast and skilled team that also likes to play physical.”

The Minor Bantam Purple team plays against teams from Sarnia to Burlington during the Alliance regular season, as well as against the other London teams in the league from the Mustangs program and the London Jr. Knights organization. And they compete in tournaments as well, giving them further opportunities to improve as a team and develop friendships – both on and off the ice.

And they’ve been busy away from the rink, too, participating in a number of community events and causes. They were involved in the London Food Bank food drive, collecting donations at grocery stores across the city, and they’ll be active in Toys for Tots, which collects, sorts, and delivers Christmas toys for children who may otherwise go without.

“We really have a great group of kids,” says Brimmell, who has been coaching hockey, at various levels, since 2009. “They’re hard-working, both on and off the ice, and our coaching staff is focused on helping them development to become great players and great people.”