subject: St. Margrets Bay Native Makes Jr 'A' [print this page] St. Margrets Bay Native Makes Jr 'A'St. Margrets Bay Native Makes Jr 'A'
St. Margrets Bay native Brett Ayers made the Cumberland Grads Jr 'A' Hockey club in Navan, Ontario. Ayers played last season at Port Hope's Trinity College School. "I worked my hardest leading up to the camp and it payed off." the 16 year old goalie said.
Ayers played his hockey for the TASA Ducks just outside of Halifax. Growing up, he only played AAA once. "I just wasn't good enough I guess. Every time I got cut it motivated me to work harder."
Ayers worked harder and his first year Bantam was a break through year for him. Ayers posted 12 shutouts and took his team through the playoffs to the finals. That spring, Ayers was recruited by Trinity College School. "They were a great bunch of guys especially Mr. Ingram, Mr. Hall and Mr. Biggar. They were great and leaving was one of the hardest things I've ever done."
The last 2 years were generous to Ayers seeing him get a chance to play at various showcases in British Columbia, Ottawa, Prince Edward Island, Toronto and Nova Scotia. Ayers was spotted by the Cumberland Grads of the Central Junior 'A' Hockey League at a showcase in Ottawa. "The coach came in the room and was a hit with everybody. He started talking and I knew immediately I wanted to play for him."
"I worked my hardest leading up to the camp. You get this feeling when you really want something and I had that feeling." It certainly paid off for Ayers as he cracked a spot on the team. "Hard work definitely pays off and it feels really good to have it pay off."
So there it is, a story of hard work. Ayers played AAA once in his life but still made it. It makes me question hockey in Atlantic Canada's credibility. We asked Ayers if he had any advice for younger kids who are faced in the same situation as him and he replied, "Just don't get down on yourself. Keep battling and working no matter where you are. The quote I always remember is that a hard working player beats a talented player that doesn't work hard."
Ayers heads back to Ottawa at the beginning of August
