The Penetang Kings are holding their own with a .500 record approximately half way through the regular season in the Provincial Junior Hockey League.
That is quite an accomplishment considering the team is one of the youngest, if not the youngest, in the 63-team league, said head coach Scott Simon.
As of Dec. 19, the team is in fourth place in the eight-team division with 12 wins, 12 losses and two over-time losses.
Of the 24 players on the team, 14 are rookies, plus three rookie affiliate players.
General manager Kyle Burns says it was "by design" that the team is young.
"We wanted to bring in younger guys and try to develop them and build them for the future. Personally, I feel that is the best way to build the team, Burns says.
At 16, defender Max Geere, of Tiny Township, is the youngest player on the team. He's been selected to play in the All-Star game on Dec. 28 in Hanover.
The all-star team is made up of players eight teams in the North Carruthers Division and will be playing a team made up of players from the eight teams of the North Pollock division.
Joining Geere on the all-star team is King's goalie Landon Simec, 18, from Barrie; forward Carter Wilson, 20, from Penetanguishene, and forward Cole Rumbolt, 20, of Wasaga Beach.
Rookie Owen Fuller from Midland is in his first year with the team.
The Grade 12 St. Theresa's Catholic High School student says "It's been great. It's such a friendly organization." His goal is to improve his hockey skills and hang tight with the team, he added.
On the Kings roster are three members of the Thayer family, brothers Tanner and Riley from Midland and cousin Carson, from Victoria Harbour.
Tanner, 17, is the team's top scorer in the season so far with 40 points.
"He's one of our young players leading the scoring. He's doing really well," says Simon.
Riley Thayer is the team captain. The 21-year-old played for the Kings when he was 16, then went to get a post-secondary education. Now he's back for his over-age year, Simon adds.
Nineteen-year-old Carson Thayer is a defenceman and playing his third year with the team.
“I’d say this is probably our best team yet. A lot of the young guys are eager to get some ice time," says Thayer.
Thayer said he wants to use the momentum built up to maintain an above .500 record.
“Penetang hasn’t won a playoff round in a few years. We are looking to change that this year,” Thayer says.
The Kings will be playing over the holidays with two home games, Jan. 3 versus the second place Orillia Terriers and Jan. 4 game against the first place Alliston Hornets.
The regular season culminates with the Challenge Cup on Feb. 17, Family Day, against the Midland Flyers in Midland. The Kings won the cup last year.
"It's just one big rivalry game," says Burns, who used to play for the Kings.
The Kings play at the Penetanguishene Centennial Memorial Community Centre at 61 Maria St. Single game tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students, $7 for seniors and $6 for children. For more information about games and stats visit the Kings website.