As we jump into the summer months bringing warmer weather and the end of the school year, we start this years 2025 off-season, following what was one of the best Xtreme years to date.
Starting back to early September, 16 travel teams were formed and the work started for the players including travel team practices, off-ice sessions and games each week. Over the course of 7 months, these teams grew with one another and through working with Xtreme’s top staff they developed and started to understand different aspects of the game.
In Newfoundland, as a smaller province, the number and reach of hockey players, rinks and training facilities are far below what we see on the mainland. Competing against places that have towns that boast a greater population than our entire island provides a greater difficulty and different challenges that others across our country may not face.
We don’t see it that way. That is why Newfoundlanders not just as hockey players but as people attain skills and characteristics that are bestowed upon us through these experiences. Our goal is to not only bridge the gap between us Islanders and the Mainland, but provide a program and service that allow each and every kid an opportunity to become the best player that they can. Over the years we have seen many great talents come through our program with former and current NHL Players, PWHL Players, Major Junior Players, NCAA players and much more. With our newly introduced travel team program, the development of on and off ice training will send more Newfoundlanders on to play at higher levels, with great results already seen in year one.
In May, our first weekend we saw 7 teams travel to Moncton to compete over 3 days against top their teams from across Atlantic Canada from 2012 age born to 2018. Within these teams, we had 4 Semi-Final appearances including a goal medal win from our 2012 team, the first one gold medal we have seen over the past few years. Talking to the development and progress we have seen with these teams over the past year, the 2016 team who had come short over the prior years battled to the finals for the first time against a strong Oyster Cup champs team in the NB Ice. Overall the 7 teams, this was the best showing we have seen and players making huge strides from previous years.
The following weekend we saw our 6 AA teams travel to Toronto to compete for the Quest for the Cup. Over the course of three days we had some very exciting match ups resulting in one gold medal with the 2017 team. Some memorable games saw the 2014’s one morning down 5-0 and then scoring 6 straight unanswered to pull off a huge win. A late third period comeback from the 2013s scoring 2 goals in the last 2 minutes to tie in regulation. As well a huge shootout win for the 2014’s after coming back in the third. These teams made massive strides over the past year and we only expect them to keep getting better. On a quick note, Dawson Mercer, current player for the New Jersey Devils over the past 3 seasons travelled with our AA team for 4 years. The game of hockey is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.
Fast forward a month later, we had 4 female teams from birth years 2013-2016 travel to Niagara to compete in the (enter tournament name). This was a very exciting weekend for the girls who saw a gold medal win from the 2013 and 2016’s, a silver medal from the 2015’s and a bronze medal for the 2014’s. The girls were full of excitement and determination which showed when took the ice to show everyone what they were made of. This was the first year we have seen all Female teams travel and compete on the mainland and they made the most of their experience with eagerness to get back at it in September and start again.
Overall, it was evident to see that our new program was a huge success. This success was not given, it was earned but each and everyone one of the players along with our coaching staff, trainers, managers and of course the parents. Each player that has an opportunity to play the game they love is all because of the parents. The sacrifices you guys make day in and out from getting off work early to get to the rink, picking up other players and giving up your own time for your child is allowing them to develop not only as a player but as a person. The game of hockey has much more then what meets the eye, from being at the rink everyday they are learning skills that range from team work, preparation, self discipline, how to be a leader, how to deal with emotion and set backs and the list goes on. With the great success of this past year we are already preparing and looking forward to the 2025-26 season.
Next season starts now, the off-season is vital to preparing for September when the kids get the chance to lace their skates up again. Our training facility in Paradise is in full swing with training groups from minor to pro level with group and or private sessions available. We also are offering our brand new Vald Performance testing program which can detect imbalances in body strength, posture, movement and is key to injury prevention. Visit Xtreme Trainings website to see availability and inquiries for your kids off season to develop your game for this falls tryout sessions.
Xtreme will send out emails regarding interest in the middle of July as our travel programs will start in September 2025.