Wolfpack battle to semifinal finish at Ancaster Select Tournament

Members of the U11 Select Hockey Team, in no particular order, include Jace Allgood, Dawson Anderson, Henry Barstcher, Cecil Burbridge, Brennan Deane, Landon Dedman, Nathan Farrell, Noel Farrell, Jack Ferren, Koen Gall, Jack Graham, Josh Rawlings, Lennon Smith, Davis Starks. 

Cassandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

The Paris Wolfpack U11 Select team turned in a strong showing at the Ancaster Select Tournament, advancing to the semifinals in a 24-team tournament from April 3–5.

Led by head coach Jeff Bartscher, the Wolfpack entered the tournament following an impressive 16-1 exhibition season. Select teams are formed from house league players through tryouts at the beginning of the year, with competition focused on exhibition games and tournaments late in the season.

“Our biggest strength was how connected we were as a team. We didn’t rely on one or two players—we had contributions up and down the lineup. The kids bought into playing for each other, and that’s what led to our success,” said Bartscher.

“Our defence was outstanding all year. They took pride in playing a tight, structured game, moved the puck well, and made life really difficult for opposing teams. That commitment to playing strong, lockdown defence gave our whole group confidence.”

“As a coaching staff, we couldn’t be more proud of this group. They competed hard and supported one another all year. It was a special season we won’t forget.”

Paris opened round robin play against the Temiskaming Puckhounds in a tightly contested matchup. After a scoreless first period, Cecil Burbridge broke the deadlock at 6:21 of the second, scoring unassisted after weaving through defenders. The Puckhounds responded two minutes later to even the score. With time winding down, Jack Ferren put a puck on net that was blocked, but Lennon Smith collected the rebound and buried the game-winner with 1:39 remaining.

The Wolfpack followed with a 3-1 win over the Faustina Fury White. Noel Farrell opened scoring in the first period with an unassisted goal. Henry Bartscher added another in the second, also unassisted, before Farrell scored his second of the game. Faustina narrowed the gap late in the second, but the third period remained scoreless.

Paris capped round robin play with a dominant 7-0 shutout over the Orillia Terriers. Smith opened the scoring with assists from Farrell and Davis Starks. Landon Dedman added the second goal, set up by Farrell, while Burbridge scored with help from Starks, the Wolfpack goaltender, who recorded two assists in the game. Dedman struck again in the second, assisted by Farrell, before defenceman Brennan Deane scored from the point late in the period. Josh Rawlings added a third-period goal, assisted by Henry Bartscher, and Burbridge rounded out the scoring on a Jack Graham assist.

Carrying that momentum into the quarterfinals, Paris defeated the Norfolk Knights 5-0. Koen Gall opened scoring with help from Deane, while Rawlings added an unassisted goal to close the first period. Nathan Farrell and Gall both scored in the second, and Burbridge added another in the third. Starks picked up his second shoutout off the tournament. 

The Wolfpack advanced to the semifinals to face the North Bay Trappers on Sunday morning. Rawlings opened the scoring for Paris with an unassisted marker, but the Trappers tied the game before the end of the first period. 

North Bay took the lead in the second before Paris responded on a third-period power play, with Smith scoring unassisted to even the game. 

Less than a minute later, the Trappers netted the eventual game-winner, ending Paris’ tournament run.

The Wolfpack will look to build on their success when they head to their next tournament in West Niagara this weekend.