麻豆社区

The Midget A Mustangs are aiming to return to their winning ways after beginning this season with a 1-3-1 record.

Last season's A Division rec league champs currently sit fifth in the seven-team league standings.

The Mustangs' only win came over the sixth-place Warriors, 10-7.

Head coach Kerry Pettitt said player turnover is a major reason for the lack of success early on.

"It's certainly cyclical and in Whitehorse it depends a lot on how many kids are taking advantage of opportunities to play at a higher level Outside, versus deciding to stay here,鈥� he told the Star.

This year, there seems to be a higher than average number of midget-level players going that route, said Pettitt.

That includes his son, Riley, a member of the major midget Prince George Cariboo Cougars.

"Every coach has to assess their team at the beginning of every year, try and understand what they have and how they will probably play,鈥� Pettitt said. "Then you try and coach to that skill-set. Certainly it's a different skill-set that's there, and we're making some changes.鈥�

For those who have played multiple years at the midget-level, Pettitt needs to work harder to change their hockey mindset.

"That's what we're going through,鈥� he explained.

Pettitt has a long coaching history in Whitehorse, and this year marks his second season coaching Midget A 鈥� the first coming when his eldest son Aaron played a number of years ago.

For the 15-,16- and 17-year-old Mustangs, competing against men in rec action can be a challenge.

"It challenges our basics,鈥� Pettitt said. "If we're working on a breakout or a power play ... or any of the basic skill-set, we're still going to get challenged.鈥�

Rival rec teams aren't as defensive-minded as teams the Mustangs will face in provincial tournaments, but the speed and skill of the many former college or junior challenges presents a good foe.

"It does force the guys to think and read and react, and they're seeing stuff that they might not even see at their own level because of some of the good skill-set they're playing against.鈥�

Two players who are excelling early this season are Mike Arnold (6G, 7A) and Liam Webster (7G, 4A), good for sixth and ninth in league scoring.

Pettitt said Arnold has impressed with his vision and hockey skills, and called Webster a "good student of the game鈥� whose hard work is leading to goals.

On top of rec league action, the Midget A Mustangs are aiming to attend several tournaments this season.

They'll play in Abbotsford next month, potentially host Aldergrove here in December, before heading to Lloydminster in January, Lethbridge in February, and the March provincial playdown in Port Alberni.

"We try to pick tournaments that put us at least in the middle of the pack,鈥� Pettitt said.

The club also chooses tournaments with three-game minimums.

The Mustangs' next game is at Takhini Arena Monday at 8 p.m. versus third-place Yukon Brewing.