The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
At the start of the year, Creighton's Ryan Fox said his team, the Prince Albert Mintos, joked about going to the Telus Cup (midget AAA's national championship) and winning. Their joke became reality on April 30 when they defeated the Calgary Buffaloes 5-4 in triple overtime. "It felt pretty awesome," Ryan, 15, said of the celebration. His Creighton counterpart and teammate, Steven Robinson, said he tried to jump over the boards, but it was too crowded so he waited for a few teammates to go. "I hugged everyone of my teammates," Steven said. "I'm just proud of my team and what we accomplished." "I think it's a big accomplishment," Ryan added. "It's a big thing Ð but it still hasn't hit me." The Mintos were ranked fifth in the country going into the Telus Cup. "We didn't know what to expect," Steven said, as the team's confidence grew with each game. He felt the toughest team they played in the round robin was the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, who surprised them with a physical presence. In the playoffs, it was their championship opponent, the Buffaloes. "They improved a lot from the first game," Steven said. Not everything was glamourous for the Mintos, who started the year slow and struggled to score according to him. What defined the team were hard work and discipline. That's what the coaches emphasized with each player having a role. Ryan added that the team stuck together. They helped each other and didn't get too high or too low. Ryan, who stands 5-11 and 180 pounds, felt his role was to play hard along the boards and create opportunities, and play both ends well. He wanted to come off the ice knowing he left everything he had on it. During his rookie season, he scored nine goals, 12 assists for 21 points in 38 games. See 'Winning' P.# Con't from P.# Steven created space and provided a good forecheck to make room for his linemates. He also had a defensive responsibility and brought a physical presence to get opponents off their game. He scored nine goals, 10 assists for 19 points in the regular season to go along with one goal in five games during the Telus Cup. Winning the Holy Grail wasn't easy, as the Mintos blew a 4-1 lead. During the game, Ryan, who scored two goals, two assists for four points in five games, never had a fear his team would lose. The adversity they experienced convinced him of that. "We just have to go out every shift and do the job," he said. "I could see some teammates concerned." Could they be blamed? Blowing the lead forced overtime. Steven's mother, Lori, said she was stressed out as the extra time grew older, but was ecstatic when it was done. She was among a faithful group of 70 Mintos supporters at the championship game, held in Charlottetown, P.E.I. "It was just a load off my mind," Lori said. "I was just proud." "All the hard work paid off," Ryan said. He now wakes up looking at his National, Western and Provincial championship medals and isn't surprised anymore that his team won. "Holding the Telus Cup and sharing it with the fans and my dad. He's a big part of my career Ð so was my mom, but she couldn't make it out," Ryan said. "To know he was in the stands made me want to play more," he added. "I also wanted to win it for myself and the team and organization. "With all the parents and fans and TSN broadcasting Ð it was a pretty good experience and I enjoyed it," Ryan said. He will remember winning at such a young age and being part of the best team in Canada. Winning the Telus Cup meant more for him than the other two championships. The meaning Steven will hold is winning, but also knowing what the team accomplished as an organization. There are many things he will cherish, but mainly it's just being able to experience all of it. "It may never happen again," Steven said. While winning the national championship, the Mintos set three records: one for the longest game Ð it was the first ever to go to overtime; Matthew Robertson broke Sidney Crosby's previous record of 11 goals with 12; and the team went unbeaten in seven games. It was the first national championship for the organization and Ryan said the team returned to a parade-like atmosphere with the police waiting to escort them and fans cheering them.
