Five local youth hockey players made the trek to Detroit last month to represent Team USA at the CCM Nations Cup. At the cup, top athletes from the states join forces to form teams to compete against Canada’s best.
Teams from different age groups compete, with each victory counting as a point. Ultimately, whichever Country toutes the most points is crowned the champion.
“It was an incredible experience for us as parents to be able to watch our sons and daughters wear USA jerseys on the ice, and it gave us a sense of pride that was different than seeing them in their Owensboro gear,” said Kayla Edds, whose son Cole was on the 12U team. “Hearing the crowds chant ‘USA, USA,’ during their games was really cool to be a part of.”
Eleven-year-old athlete Hollis Rush said his favorite part was seeing the USA uniforms for the first time, while 12-year-old Jenna Farrell enjoyed winning as Team USA and can’t wait to go again.
The young athletes also viewed the opportunity as a learning experience.
“Our team learned how to play better together because we played better teams than we were used to,” Farrell said.
Rush, along with 12-year-old counterpart Miles Ratliff, took note of the Candadian’s fast pace of play. Ten-and-under competitor Weston English agreed and said there wasn’t time to be tired.
“It was a very different level and faster pace than we were used to,” added 12-year-old Cole Edds. “We picked up on it, though; it was a lot of fun.”
The young athletes have lofty goals, but they aren’t losing focus on having fun.
“I want to keep having fun and getting better,” Farrell said.
“I want to try to get to the highest level I can play hockey,” Rush said.
“I want to go as far as I can and hopefully make it to the NHL,” English said.
“I want to play in the Olympics and then play for the Nashville Predators,” Ratliff said.
“I just want to continue to get better every day,” Edds said. “I also want to get a scholarship and play college hockey somewhere before hopefully making it to the NFL.”
All 5 players are a part of the Owensboro Rampage hockey team, which regularly practices and plays at the Edge Ice Center.
