The Elmvale Minor Hockey Association Legion Branch 262 U9MD Coyotes went undefeated with a 20-0 record during the 2024/2025 Georgian Bay Triangle Hockey League season!
The U9MD team was selected in September following competitive tryouts and the team quickly began work for the season. The coaching staff could immediately see this team had some amazing chemistry, talent and strong work ethic that would serve them greatly over the course of the hockey season. Following two months of practice and some exhibition games the team was ready for the season to start!
The team went an impressive 14-0 during the half ice season playing against U9 MD teams from 10 other local communities in the Georgian Bay Triangle Hockey League. During these games, Elmvale outscored its competition 149 to 51 to finish plus 98 in goal differential for the first half of the season. This was also backstopped by strong goaltending play from Gunner Ververs, Douglas Price and Scott Haines.
Following the completion of the half ice season the Elmvale squad was placed into the top division (Pool A) for the full ice portion of the season along with teams from Collingwood, South Grey, Oro and Wasaga Beach.
With games switching from half to full ice and that would now feature off sides, icings and penalties, the Coyotes knew they would be in for a new challenge against the other best teams from the region. The team immediately faced some tough competition from the South Grey Spartans and Oro Thunder who forced the team to battle back from multiple goal deficits to win 6-5 and 3-2 respectively. The team’s parents were forced to the edge of their seats in these big come from behind wins early in the full ice season. The team followed up these character building wins with strong play and solid wins in their next four games against Wasaga Beach (2), Collingwood and a re-match against Oro.
The team followed up their undefeated 14-0 record with a 6-0 record during the full ice portion of the year beating all teams to finish 1st in the Georgian Bay Triangle Hockey League U9MD Pool A.
This season provided fans with solid defensive play from the team’s defense core of Scott Haines, Reef Tschop McLaren, Austin Perreault, Charlie Hamelin and Scott Popple.
This defensive play was combined with the hardworking and offensive skill of the teams forwards Wyatt Coughlin, Draper Temolder, Chase Culbert, Landon Phillips, Noah Antiquera, Douglas Price and Gunner Ververs. During the full ice season the team outscored its opponents 34-14 to lead the league with a plus 20 goal differential. The team’s offence was supported by strong goalie play from the tandem of Douglas Price and Gunner Ververs who had a combined 2.3 goals against average for this portion of the season.
This season also featured special play from the team and leagues leading goal scorer and point’s leader Wyatt Coughlin who recorded 19 goals and 5 assists during the full ice season (6 games) to lead the league with 24 points.
The coaching staff continues to be impressed by the work ethic, teamwork and bond this team has formed over the course of the season. The players on this team have competed at a high level and achieved some special results this season with a 20-0 record to show for it!
The team is looking forward to playing in their home Elmvale Maple Syrup Tournament and the U9MD League Championship in March!
Thank you to our sponsor the Elmvale Legion Branch 262!
Submitted by: Jon Popple, Head Coach