Our Champions: Kent Cobras Bantam ‘AE’ Team

Kent Cobras Bantam ‘AE’ team

Each week in “Our Champions,” we’ll feature teams who were on the verge of a title, but didn’t get to finish their season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Below is the story of the Kent Cobras Bantam ‘AE’ team.

The Kent Cobras Bantam AE team were only six points away from claiming the OMHA Championship.

From the start of the season. this talented group of teens came together as a unique family overcoming diversity at every turn, displaying the true meaning of ‘TEAM’. The goalie tandem of Maddux Stewart and Kohen Parker always came up with big saves at the most opportune times. The D was a fabulous mix of great skaters in Brady Cowell, Keegan Brady and Tom Blundy augmented nicely by the size of Robert Cummings, Brayden Tremblay and Cory Suitor. The forward group was just as diverse in size & strength. Aiden VanHuizen, Max Reaume, Colin Day, Jonah Knotek along with the skill set of Carter Nicholson, Jacob Kosik and JP Lemak paired well with the grit & determination of Kalib Stonefish and Carson May.

Their first display of dominance came at the University of Notre Dame during the Irish Cup. The Cobras put their speed and physical style of play into great use showing our friends south of the border that Canadian kids, of any age, should not be messed with, as hockey is our game. The Cobras went on to win the tournament with class.
Their next tournament was the Motown Cup in Michigan. Again, their physical play and speed was on display. This time they faced adversity in the Finals. The Cobras were down 1-0 with only 25 seconds left. In true Canadian fashion, the boys never gave up and tied the game. In overtime, playing short handed, the Cobras scored the winning goal breaking the hearts of everyone south of the border to win their second tournament of the season.

The next stage of their journey began in January when the OMHA playdowns began. The boys didn’t disappoint. Even when missing players at various stages for different reasons, their ‘Team’ approach proved too strong for any opponent. The Cobras went undefeated to secure their spot in the OMHA Finals posed to face the Northumberland Nighthawks.

Unfortunately, the only thing that stood in the way of the Cobra Bantam AE Team completing their dream season wasn’t their opponents from Northumberland but instead COVID-19, a virus that will forever change the world and for these boys end their ultimate goal of being OMHA Champs. This abrupt end to the hockey season, doesn’t make their accomplishments any less meaningful. Two tournament wins, being undefeated in the OMHA playdowns and most importantly how they represented KMHA with respect and dignity all season.