JCVH60: Chiefs Rank 5th in OHL Cup Race

Travis Konecny - Elgin Middlesex Chiefs

The small town proud Elgin Middlesex Chiefs 97's are ready to take on the best and biggest minor midget teams in Ontario. The Chiefs are guaranteed a spot in the OHL cup after a 9-3 win over the Kitchener Jr. Rangers in their Alliance playoff series. Their record is 46-7-4 and they now rank 5th in the OHL Cup rankings. The Chiefs await the winner of the Huron Perth/Waterloo Series for the Alliance final, but both finalists go to the OHL Cup which begins March 12th in Mississauga.

Travis Konecny tries to get by Kitchener Jr. Ranger

"The 97 age group for the Chiefs has been strong for years," says head coach Darren Kelly. "They won (championships) in major atom, peewee and bantam. They've won a lot of tournaments over the year."
Many of the players come from places like Komoka, where the team plays home games, Mount Brydges and other small communities in Elgin Middlesex. They will be up against many of Ontario's powerhouse organizations in the OHL Cup. The Chiefs are ranked one spot ahead of the Toronto Marlboro midgets, the annual powerhouse. Oakville Rangers are ranked first.

11 of the teams players might be drafted by Ontario Hockey League teams this year. That includes Travis Konecny, who might even go in the top five of the OHL priority selections. Other notable players that impressed in the 9-3 win over Kitchener were big forwards Josh Coyle and Lawson Crouse. Defenseman Cole Mayo also played very well. Crouse is unique combination of size, leather soft hands - and a quick and powerful shot.