U16 Caps have net worth
Nick Marson and Mateo Beites of the Sudbury U16 Nickel Capitals form the youngest goalie set among the eight teams of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.
The dandy duo are opposites when it comes to size but equals when it relates to their preparation between the pipes. Marson, who has a December 16, 2007 birth date, is on the smaller size at 5-feet-9, 160 pounds. Meanwhile, Beites, who was born on March 2, 2008, stands in at 6-feet, 165 pounds.
At any rate, U16 Nickel Capitals head coach Jordan Cheechoo loves what he has in the the blossoming goalies.
“Our goalie tandem has been great for us all season long. They have stole us some wins and have been a big reason why we always have a chance to compete in games this season,” Cheechoo relayed to Hockey News North.
The two have a healthy competition as goalie partners, noted the reputable 34-year old Cheechoo, who is the reigning coach of the year in the GNU18HL.
“They both want to be the guy starting the big games and have pushed each other to be ready for those big starts. When they are not the one getting the start, they are very supportive of each other. They have a great working relationship and have been working hard with our goaltending coach Matty Meyhew,” Cheechoo told Hockey News North.
Marson (in action photo above by Bob Davies) came through the back door to earn a spot on the U16 Nickel Capitals this season after being cut by his hometown team, the Soo U18 Greyhounds.
“Nick came in with something to prove and he has stepped up to show that he is a capable goalie at the AAA level. Being away from home at such a young age is never easy but Nick has done very well and has adjusted to hockey life away from home. His work ethic is his strongest attribute and he comes to the arena every day ready to put himself in the best position to make sure he is ready for games,” Cheechoo said in praise of Marson.
Then there is Beites, a 2008 birth year youngster who is facing shooters one, two and three years older than he is.
“Mateo making the team as an underaged player is something you don’t always see and he has proved that he belongs playing with our 2007 age group,” Cheechoo said of Beites. “His greatest asset is his competitive edge … he always competes in practices and thrives when challenged. He is such a great kid and has an amazing work ethic on and off the ice.”
Marson has the better stats of the two in league play thus far this season with a 6-3-1 record and 3.37 goals against average. Beites, on the other hand, has a 3-6-0 record and 3.88 goals against average.
The U16 Nickel Capitals will take a record of 9-9-1 into a Wednesday night game against the crosstown Sudbury U18 Nickel Capitals, who have a 7-14-0 record.
To be sure, the U16 Nickel Capitals have been having trouble scoring goals as of late. In back to back 3-1 and 5-1 losses to the first place Soo U18 Greyhounds on the weekend, the U16 Nickel Capitals were unable to convert a number of two-on-one scoring chances.