TRURO, N.S. – Two teams from the Truro and Area Minor Hockey Association received special instruction this week from members of the Halifax Mooseheads Quebec Major Junior Hockey League squad.
Atom AA and peewee AAA players were put through the paces by Mooseheads second-year forward Ben Higgins and assistant coach Jon Greenwood on Monday at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre.
“This is a great week for me to try and get out and represent our team and also just represent hockey in general; try and help out some of the younger kids around the province,” said Greenwood, of Cole Harbour.
“It’s a lot of fun to see that sparkle in the eye,” he added. “We coach at a level now that it’s still about development, we’re still trying to move players along, but it’s a lot more serious and a lot more business-oriented sometimes, so to come back to the grassroots here and see the sparkle and the dream in the eye is really refreshing; it’s really a lot of fun.”
Higgins, an 18-year-old Bible Hill native who grew up playing in the TAMHA, was thrilled with the opportunity to represent his current team and give back to his community.
“It’s great to come back and help out the young guys,” he said. “Growing up here and going through minor hockey and coming back and supporting the local guys is pretty enjoyable.
“The Mooseheads are a well-known organization and playing for them you have a lot of responsibilities and you have to represent the team well, the city and all the fans, as well,” he added. “It’s nice coming back and having the kids look up to you. I once was one of those guys and it’s nice to come back and help them out and support minor hockey.”
The Truro Bearcats major bantam team hosted the special practices, which were co-ordinated by Ben’s father, David Higgins.
The Colchester Food Bank also benefitted from the practices, as participating players donated to the cause.
