Being a little kid isn't always easy: early bedtimes, must-eat veggies, and even the make-your-bed nagging can make a kid wish to be older. Big kids sometimes think little kids aren't capable of big expectations, but this year's youngest 5000 Shot Challenge participants are blowing those thoughts out of the water: these "Mighty Mites" are proving that they, too, can do the same things as the big kids.
Traditionally, mites are required to shoot "only" 2500 pucks to be considered finishers. Of the 31 mites signed up to participate in this year's Challenge, only nine have actually participated (turned in shooting logs). Those nine players have shot over 17,000 pucks this summer with 4 weeks still to go in the Challenge. Inspired by Gavin W., a Rochester Coalition mite who insisted on shooting the full 5,000 pucks, we wanted to learn more about all the mites participating.
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| Gavin W. |
Gavin W.
Gavin, our inspiration and a mite with the Rochester Coalition, has been playing hockey for four (4) years and says his favorite thing about hockey is hanging out with his buddies. He has found that the most fun part of the 5000 Shot Challenge is that it's helping him become a sniper! Gavin cheers for the Washington Capitals, which his mom insists was Gavin's favorite team before they won the Cup. Gavin's goal is the full 5,000 shots; he has already shot 2,000 pucks this summer.
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| Daniel H. |
Daniel H.
Daniel has also been playing hockey for four (4) years and says that hockey is "just so fun." He likes shooting and passing. Daniel's favorite team is the Boston Bruins. His favorite thing about the 5,000 Shot Challenge? "Aiming and taking all those shots," which is good because he has already shot over 3,100 pucks this summer!
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| Ryan G. |
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| Dylan A. |
Ryan G.
Ryan started playing hockey three (3) years ago and says his favorite thing about hockey is "working as a team." He loves the Buffalo Sabres and thinks working on his shot is the best part of the 5,000 Shot Challenge. Ryan has shot over 2,300 pucks.
Dylan A.
Dylan, a Methuen Ranger, stopped by the TSR Tent Sale and learned first hand how the Sniper of the Week is chosen. He even got to help pick a Sniper! Dylan has been playing hockey for five (5) years and thinks scoring goals is the best part of hockey. As for the 5,000 Shot Challenge? His favorite part is that he is getting better each week. Dylan has shot over 1,700 pucks this summer.
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| Jackson L. |
Jackson L.
Jackson, a mite from Andover, has been playing hockey for four (4) years. He cheers for the Bruins and the Golden Knights when he's not playing. His favorite thing about hockey is playing goalie when it's his turn. Jackson thinks getting better at shots is the best part of the 5,000 Shot Challenge and he has already shot over 1,800 pucks this summer.
Ryan G.
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| Ryan G. |
This will be Ryan's, a mite from Bradford, MA, fourth year playing hockey. He loves scoring and hitting people and thinks the best part of the 5,000 Shot Challenge is improving his shot with all the practice. Ryan roots for the Boston Bruins and has shot over 3,200 pucks this summer!
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| Michael F. |
Michael F.
Michael, another mite from Rochester Coalition, has been playing hockey for four (4) years and loves skating fast. He says hockey is exciting! Since he's a New Yorker, we won't hold it against him that he roots for the NY Rangers. Michael says the 5,000 Shot Challenge makes him get better at hockey in the summer.
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| Colton B. |
Colton B.
Colton, who wears #45 for his mite team, started skating when he was three (3) years old. His favorite thing about hockey is having fun with his teammates because "we are all friends." Colton roots for the Bruins when he's not playing. About the 5,000 Shot Challenge, Colton says the "best part has been practicing each day and seeing my shot get better." Colton has shot 1,500 pucks so far this summer.
Jackson V.
Jackson, another Rochester Coalition mite, has shot almost 1,600 pucks this summer and loves being rough in hockey. He has been playing for four (4) years and he roots for the Calgary Flames when he's not playing. Jackson says the best part of the 5,000 Shot Challenge is learning to shoot hard.
These nine mites have proven that the bigger you train, the bigger you play. We hope they have a great season and hope the 5,000 Shot Challenge is a small part of it. Thanks Gavin W. for inspiring us to get to know you and the other Mighty Mites! Keep shooting!
