The
Northwestern Ontario (NWO) All Stars are a regionally based AAA squad of players drawn from a number of AA teams in a population base of around 40,000 people living in an area larger than most European countries.
Coached and managed by staff based in Kenora, the team consists of players originating from minor hockey associations in Fort Frances, Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Kenora. Players and their parents will drive almost 2 and a half hours one way to make scheduled practice times.
The team’s game record consists of an A side semi final appearance at the Brandon, Manitoba Tournament of Champions where the team played a number of Saskatchewan teams from Moose Jaw, Yorkton and Regina and games played during the Hockey Northwest play downs.
In order to arrive in St. Marys in time for the All Ontario Championship, the team will bus from International Falls, Minnesota, which is located across the Rainy River international boundary at Fort Frances, through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and SW Ontario- A trek that will take the better part of 24 hours to complete
Some notable players that have played peewee hockey in the NWO regional program, include:
Chris Pronger, Dryden (Peterborough Petes, Philadelphia Flyers, 1992-3 World Junior Champion, 2002 & 2010 Olympic Gold Medal & Stratford Cullitons Jr B 1990)
Mike Richards, Kenora (Kitchener Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, 2004-5 World Junior Champion, 2010 Olympic Gold Metal)
Duncan Keith, Fort Frances (Kelowna Rockets, Chicago Black Hawks, 2010 Olympic Gold Metal)
Ryan Parent, Sioux Lookout (Guelph Storm, Philadelphia Flyers, 2005-6, 2006-7 World Junior Champion)
*info provided by team manager