Four members of the Pasadena Maple Leafs 2002 class were among the Team North America All-Stars that finished third at OneHockey's inaugural Alberta Challenge. After being selected to participate in the AAA tournament by OneHockey scouts, the four — James Carswell, Stephen Castro, Charlie Cocuzzo and Carsten Petersen — faced off against some of the best 2002 birth-year players in the United States and Canada.
"The style of play was a lot different than our boys are used to," said Maple Leafs Mites Head Coach Joe Cocuzzo. "The players were big, fast and physical, and it took a game or two for our kids to get use to the pace. But once they got comfortable, they proved they belonged in this tournament, and that they could skate with the best in North America."
Forwards Castro (5G, 3A) and Petersen (3G, 4A) both finished among the 2002 division's top 10 scorers, while defenders Cocuzzo (1G, 2A) and Carswell (1G, 1A) both chipped in on the offensive end, as well.
The AAA Alberta Challenge, held May 5-8 in Edmonton, was the first edition of what OneHockey expects will become as popular as their hugely successful Philadelphia Summer Challenge (being held in 2011 from June 30-July 3), now in its eighth year.
"It was a great experience for our boys," added Coach Cocuzzo. "The tournament was first-class — very well run — with a real focus on making the kids feel special. We'd do it again in a heartbeat."
The Maple Leafs organization congratulates these four young men for their fine showing among this world-class field. Great job, boys
Charlie Cocuzzo, James Carswell (front row, third and fourth from left), Stephen Castro and Carsten Petersen (back row, second and third from left) with their North America All-Stars teammates in the Maple Leafs-themed locker room at the West Edmonton Mall.
Stephen Castro is interviewed on-ice by local media.
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