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BC Hockey has announced that beginning in the 2019-2020 season, it will operate a Pilot Major Bantam League for 13-14 year-old players starting with the 2005/06 birth year.

 

The Major Bantam League gives an opportunity for 13-14 year-old players to develop with other athletes from their reginal zones.

The Major Bantam League will align and affiliate with the Major and Minor Midget League (MML).  

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Teams will play out of the following Zones:

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• Cariboo

• Fraser Valley

• Greater Vancouver

• North Island

• Okanagan 

• Vancouver North East

• Vancouver North West

• Valley West

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The Major Bantam AAA Pilot Program is comprised of a 30 game season, and features two (2) Showcase Weekends.  The schedule was built to have long weekend breaks and bye-weeks so players can participate in Major Bantam tournaments.

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A Major Bantam AAA tournament will be hosted in Kelowna around the MML Showcase Weekend in the 2019 - 2020 season.  Dates will be posted once confirmed and subject to change.

At the conclusion of the season, an All-Star Team will be announced, along with the Coach of the Year and Player of the Year.

 

The Rockets recommended trainer is certified strength and conditioning coach and former pro Hockey Player Travis Martel from Martel Elite Fitness (martellelitefitness.com). He will be working with the Major and Minor Midget Hockey teams for 19/20

 

Academically, the MB Okanagan Rockets can attend any School they choose so the players have the ability to live at home while competing in the most competitive league in BC.

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Okanagan Rockets Minor Midget AAA & Major Bantam AAA have secured a partnership with OKM where any players on these two teams will have the OPTION to take part in a combined Rockets Skills Academy Group. This will be in additional to the league provided ice. 1 of 2

 

The MB Okanagan Rockets philosophy is to develop players both in hockey and in life. The Okanagan Rockets set high expectations for their players and demand hard work, discipline and commitment to the Okanagan Rockets program. The Rockets place a strong emphasis on building a “winning culture” in their dressing room, and this means more than just winning hockey games. The Okanagan Rockets ensure that all players on the team exhibit important traits such as integrity, accountability and a “team-first” mentality. In addition, the Okanagan Rockets are expected to be respectful and hard-working students and also volunteer as a team in the community, such as reading to children at the local library, and volunteering at local community events.

 

From academic support, exceptional skill and skating development, off-ice training, and community involvement, the Okanagan Rockets program provides players with an exceptional experience to help players transition from minor midget hockey to Major Midget all while becoming better hockey players and young men.