SAMHA teams atop rankings; to play in state tourneys

    Southern Aroostook Minor Hockey Association youth teams finished their regular season games and hold the top spots in the standings.
    All teams will play this weekend to decide who goes forward to the state tournament. Houlton is in zone 5 and each zone from around the state will send two teams at each level to the tournament.
    The Squirt tournament will be held in Bangor, the Peewees in Rockland and the Bantams in Auburn on Feb. 11-12. The winners of those tournaments will all go to the State Championship game in Lewiston on Feb. 25-26.
Contributed photograph
SPECIAL VISITOR — Former NHL player and U-Maine Black Bear, Barrett Heisten, had his photograph taken with the younger players in SAMHA. Heisten conducted a four-day clinic with SAMHA players last week. This is the second time Heisten has shared his experience and talents with area youth.
    Donations for some of the teams’ expenses for going to the state tournament have been provided by Palmer Construction of Linneus and Toby Henderson.
    The Squirts coached by Peter Alden are 10-2-0 and hold the number-one seed in the Northern standings followed by PVHC White, 7-4-1; Bangor Red, 7-5-0; Brewer White, 5-5-2; Brewer Black, 5-6-1; Bangor White, 4-6-0 and PVHC Blue, 4-6-0.
    The SAMHA Peewee teams are number one and two, as Palmer Construction Black Team, coached by Barry Lorom, is 8-0-2, while the Grand Rental Blue Team, coached by Tony Marino, is second with a 7-1-2 record. Each team recorded a tie against one another in the regular season.
    Capping off the Peewee Northern standings are: Brewer, 5-5-0; Bangor White, 4-5-1; Bangor Red, 3-8-0 and PVHC, 1-9-1.
     The Bantams team coached by David Wilson is also in first place with seven wins and one loss. The  remaining Northern standings are: Brewer, 6-1-1; Bangor Red, 3-3-1; Bangor White, 1-4-1 and PVHC, 0-8-1.
Other SAMHA news:
    Former NHL player and U-Maine Black Bear, Barrett Heisten conducted a four-day clinic with SAMHA players last week. This is the second time Heisten has shared his experience and talents with area youth and organizers look forward to having him in the area again. Heisten currently lives in Alaska.
    SAMHA will host another “Try Hockey for Free” Day during Moosestompers weekend Feb. 17-18. This event is primarily designed for children 10 and under, but SAMHA is encouraging any child interested in trying hockey to come out and get on the ice.
    SAMHA Board of Directors meetings are the second Wednesday of each month at 6:15 p.m. at the arena. All are welcome to attend.
    Please visit SAMHA’s website, samhahockey.org for additional information, game schedules and events or contact Kinny Corthell at 538-6730 or a SAMHA Board of Director member.