The Toronto Marlboros Major Atom AAA team celebrated winning the Kraft Cup with a decisive win against the Toronto Jr. Canadiens on Saturday, February 11^th at their home rink, Canlan Ice Sports in Etobicoke.  While the opposition fought hard and had an excellent game, the Marlboros were determined to win the Cup and to cap the season with a great win.  The Kraft Cup is awarded to team that win their division at the end of regular-season play in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (“GTHL”).  The Toronto Marlboros AAA Hockey Club has had a strong track record in winning this cup across all age groups, and in fact Marlies teams won 5 Kraft Cups out of the 8 AAA age groups this season.

As the boys celebrated the win in the dressing room, they reflected on the entire season which started with their off-site camp held Nottawasaga Inn in August, 2012, where they bonded and set the goals for the hockey year ahead.  This was followed by an incredible season that included winning two marquis tournaments (Burlington Horseshoe in December 2011 and Sarnia International Silver Stick in January 2012), 27 wins in the regular season with a GF average of.8128.  Coach Louie Gialedakis reminded the players that winning the Kraft Cup is the ultimate proof that there is no substitution for hard work, dedication and team work.  

As the parents reflected on the season after winning the Cup, one in particular commented, “The proof is in the pudding…. All of the hard work and hours of training the boys have committed to and endured during the season is showing in the results. We couldn’t be happier for them.”

Coach Gialedakis reiterated that while it was great to celebrate with the cup, he and his team know that the season is far from over.  While they have accomplished so much in what seems to be a short amount of time, the 2001 Marlboros are well aware that they must now focus on the task at hand, which is winning the GTHL Atom Playoff Championships and setting their sights on the Ontario Hockey Federation (“OHF”) Championships.  With that in mind, the players enthusiastically reported to practice early the next morning.