The Mapleton Minto 81’s improved their season record to four wins and a loss with a 3-2 win over the Ripley Wolves on Oct. 26.
The team has made some major changes to its roster from last season.
On this year’s roster, there are 19 players who played at the Junior B level or higher, with 11 of those having gone on to play in the OHL, university or minor professional ranks at one point in their hockey careers.
New players include Zach Graham of Palmerston, who has returned home from playing at Adrian College where he led the team in scoring for his last two seasons. Zach is part of a large number of players on this team who reside in the townships of Mapleton and Minto.
The WOAA senior league allows teams to sign up to five import players, and many teams sign the maximum number allowed.
This year’s team is a local team, having fifteen players who reside in local municipalities or nearby towns such as Mount Forest.
There are currently only two imports signed. One of those two is goalie Josh Leis, who played for the Listowel Cyclones before playing four years at SUNY-Plattsburgh.
A strong group of players from Mount Forest have been added, Andrew Coburn, Scott Tregunna, Tyson LeBlanc, Jon Aitken, and Dylan Hoffman.
Andrew has played professional hockey in Europe and at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. Scott played at Acadia University for four years. In the OHL Scott played for the Owen Sound Attack and the Kitchener Rangers.
While in Kitchener, Scott was a teammate of Drayton-born NHLer Nick Spaling. To learn more about the team visitwww.mapleton-minto81s.ca.
The team is hoping for a large fan turnout at their next home game on Nov. 23 at 6pm in Drayton, against the Elora Rocks.
On Nov. 16 the team will host its annual Ribfest at 6pm in Drayton Tickets are $25 and there will be a silent and live auction.
The players will be cooking and serving the dinner.
For tickets call Uwe Claussen at 519-638-3868, or Kayla at 519-292-0159, or tickets are available at Cox Sanitation in Harriston.
