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THE QUINTE RED DEVILS
Return to action, looking to be top in the Province By: Jeff Gard Total Sports Media
The Quinte Red Devils association has returned to action looking to continue to be one of the top ‘AAA’ minor hockey organizations in the province.
tryouts, teams formed and exhibitions. Teams were expecting to play 35-game regular season schedules in the ETA (Eastern Triple-A) loop.
One big change since the teams last played competitive games is the new ‘open borders’ policy that allows players U14 (previously minor bantam) and up the ability to move freely between organizations.
Prior to the COVID shutdown in March 2020, five Quinte teams were heading to OMHA championships. Longo thinks the Red Devils should duplicate or better that success this season.
Red Devils president Tyler Longo said there was hope restrictions would be put in place for how many non-registered players teams could add to avoid the creation of “super teams” but there aren’t any official ones. “Quinte as an association has put a limit of four (per team) on,” Longo said. “We still feel confident and loyal to our areas that we’ve had for the last 30 years. We still want to make sure we’re developing our own kids, but at the same time we understand to be competitive we have to open it up a little bit.” Longo believes the new open borders rule will hold associations accountable to ensure their development programs are top notch, not just for U14 and up but the younger age groups as well before they reach the older groups and the players have a positive experience. “If your development program is strong and the vision is there and the coaching is in place and kids are improving every year, I think you’ll see families stay.” It was in 1990 that associations in Bancroft, Belleville, Brighton, Colborne, Deseronto, Frankford, Grafton, Madoc, Marmora, Napanee, Picton, Tamworth, Trenton, Tweed and Wellington came together to form the Red Devils as a regional organization to compete at the AAA level.
“Obviously our novice program which is our Foley Bus Lines U9 Quinte Red Devils program they will continue to follow the pathway of Hockey Canada, which is cross-ice hockey until January and then they’ll integrate into full ice,” Longo said of the Jeanna Oke-coached team. The Gillespie Tree Service U10 Red Devils are coached by former Belleville Bulls captain and OHL lineman Andrew Brown. “He’s got a great squad so I’m looking forward to seeing that team progress as the year goes on,” Longo said. Longo calls the Borchert’s Roofing U11 Red Devils coached by Gary Sage “a special group.” “I’m amazed every time I go and watch these players,” he said. “The things they’re able to do at the age they’re at right now is pretty impressive. It’s going to be exciting to watch that team continue to flourish. The last time they played together as a team was half-ice which was novice so they’re going to finally get a full season where they play full ice.” Another strong team is the Stampkrete Concrete U12 Red Devils coached by Brian Thompson. “They’ve always been a top team in the ETA,” Longo said. “Once again, a team that was set to make the OMHA before things shut down before COVID and I think they’ve only improved adding a few kids to their roster this year so that will be a fun team to watch.”
Local players have had the opportunity to compete at a high level, but when players are ready is individual-based.
The e360s 13U Red Devils team coached by Sean Gawley is “always a strong competitive team as well,” Longo noted.
“The development path of each player is different. Some players develop a lot quick than others. I think if a player is in their home centre and things are starting to get a little too easy for them, the challenge isn’t there anymore, that’s usually a good indication that maybe it’s time to give your daughter or son a bit more of a challenge and put them in a higher level,” Longo said.
In continuing having some great coaches in the organization, the Freeflow Petrolium U14 Red Devils will be led this season by Ty Green, coming in following six seasons with the Picton Pirates of the Provincial Junior Hockey League.
That being said, if it’s not going well at the AAA level, it’s not a bad idea to step back. Travel is another factor that must be considered as games and venues can be held in a number of different areas. “All depends what the families are looking for,” Longo said. “If you don’t want to travel then I wouldn’t suggest AAA.”
“We’ve had a lot of kids come in from out-of-town that moved to this area whether parents transferred for work and the open borders now,” Longo said. “That’s a team that’s always kind of been middle of the pack for us here in Quinte and they’ve got probably six to seven new kids on their roster. I watched them play an exhibition game and wow, a very skilled team and run well.”
In September, some sense of normalcy had returned following
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