AJ Sports

Adriane Heine Abington Journal Correspondent

A local ice hockey program has been making a name for itself in the world of youth hockey.

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Joseph Donahue, 9, of Clarks Summit, shown above, left, wins a face off for the Knights

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The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Junior Knights Hockey Club was developed in 2005 to provide an opportunity for aspiring young athletes to enjoy the sport of ice hockey. Since then, the Knights had several teams for different ages and skill levels, including levels B, A and AA, all Tier 2 levels. The highest level of youth hockey in the United States is level AAA, also known as Tier 1, which has never been available here, until now. Starting in the 2010-2011 season, AAA youth ice hockey will come to Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This is due, in part, to the coaches this area has to offer. Coach Besa Tsintsadze is the Knights’ power-skating coach. He is also the personal power skating coach to the National Hockey League’s Sergei Gonchar and Evgeni Malkin, both of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Knights are also coached by former professional players Devin Edgerton from Canada and Alex Vasko from Russia.

Previously, the teams competed in the Delaware Valley Hockey League, with about 20 games per season from Delaware to Scranton. The new, AAA teams will compete in more than 40 games per season in the prestigious Atlantic Youth Hockey League. The teams will travel from Maine to Florida. Many young athletes who compete at this level have the opportunity to enter into collegiate hockey programs. The team practices at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston. There, they have two NHL-regulation-size rinks for practice and home games. They also utilize a smaller rink, at the Revolution Training Centre in Dunmore, for skills development.

Another major accomplishment of the Knights this season is that 11 players from the organizations Pee Wee team (twelve year olds) have been selected for the 51st Annual “Quebec International Pee-Wee Invitational Tournament.”

This tournament is the most recognized youth tournament in the world, and greats such as Wayne Gretsky and Mario Lemieux played in it when they were young. Making it into the tournament, which will be played at the Pepsi coliseum in Quebec from February 11 to 21, is a dream come true for any aspiring hockey player.

“I grew up here,” Larry West, president of the Knights said. “There was football and baseball, but not a lot of alternatives. There isn’t a history of ice hockey here, but it’s catching on. It’s a great game because everyone on the ice can score; every player has to play both offense and defense. These kids work so hard, and they are accomplishing a great deal.”

Team members from the Abingtons include Gage Hill, Zach Kilbourne, Noah Strony, Cael Wylam, Joseph Donahue, Lucas Kilbourne, Dylan Wharton, Ryan Gabura, Dylan Greig, and Jerry Donahue, all of Clarks Summit. In addition, Steven Silverman of Waverly, Sam Salvino of Clarks Green, Carmen DeNaples of Dalton, and Dylan Grierson of South Abington also play for the Knights.

For more information, about lessons, try-outs or game times, visit www.revolutionhockey.net or www.jrknightshockey.com.