The U15 Highland Storm Rep team, sponsored by Cheryl Smith RE/MAX, was crowned Victoria Durham League Champions; which earned their spot at the OMHA U15 Tier 3 Championships Halton Hills this past weekend.
Facing off against five other top teams in their division, the Storm came ready
Their tournament began Friday with an 8:15 a.m. matchup against the Mooretown Jr. Flags. The Storm set the tone with a commanding 4–1 victory. Lucas Upton led with two goals, while Lucas Vale and Austin Cunningham each added one. Assists came from Hudson Meyer and Vale, while goaltender Blake Hutchinson stood strong between the pipes.
Later that evening, the Storm faced the Prince Edward County Kings, securing a decisive 3–0 win. Hunter Hamilton delivered a hat trick, supported by assists from Tyler Hughes and Brady Burke.
With two round-robin wins, the Storm earned a direct bye to the semi-finals, where they once again met the Mooretown Jr. Flags Saturday evening. The team continued their dominant run with another shutout victory, winning 3–0. Cunningham scored twice, Hamilton added another goal and assist.
Championship Sunday saw the undefeated Storm face the Prince Edward County Kings once again. With a strong showing of support from family, friends, and fans who travelled to Halton Hills and filled the stands, the atmosphere was electric.
In a tightly contested battle, Cruize Neave scored the lone goal of the game, assisted by Cunningham, sealing a thrilling 1–0 victory and the OMHA Championship title.
Goaltender Corbin Elliot was exceptional throughout the final three games, recording three consecutive shutouts and proving to be a difference-maker when it mattered most.
The Storm’s defensive unit: Meyer, Burke, Hughes, James Gooley, Duncan EvansFockler, and Liam Milburn played a critical role in the team’s success. Their ability to shut down opponents, and maintain composure under pressure created a solid foundation for the team’s championship run.
Offensively, the forward group of Neave, Hamilton, Cunningham, Vale, Upton, Chase Kerr, Hunter Peelow, Bently Bull, and Kelson Bagshaw worked cohesively, generating opportunities and capitalizing when it counted most.
The championship performance capped off an incredible season for the Storm, finishing with an impressive 24-6-6 record, a 20-game winning streak, and an outstanding 25 games unbeaten (22 wins, 3 ties).
Behind the bench, the team was led by head coach Jesse Johnson, assistant coach Chris Kerr, trainer Tommy Bagshaw, assistant trainer Tyler Martin, and manager Cheryl Smith.
The team extends heartfelt thanks to their dedicated coaching staff, supportive families, and the many fans who stood behind them all season long.
