History

MidgetAAACanada.com was launched in 2003 by founder Rick Virag after 1 1/2 years of research as a national resource highlighting the exciting division of Midget AAA Major hockey.

After 10 years of coaching experience Rick realized that there was a need for this resource for organizations, teams, players, coaches, scouts, families and fans providing the nation with a place to follow all of the aciton leading up to the Telus Cup, Canada's only national minor hockey championship.

In November 2003, just two months after launching, MidgetAAACanada.com received an email from Hockey Canada praising us for what we were providing the minor hockey community with their full support of our efforts.

That same season at the 2004 National Midget Championship (now called the Telus Cup), MidgetAAACanada.com and President/CEO Rick Virag was honoured with the ceremonial tournament opening puck drop to kick off the championship.

Hockey Canada continued its support of MidgetAAACanada.com by placing 11 direct links to MidgetAAACanada.com on www.HockeyCanada.ca, so that visitors to Hockey Canada's site were provided with additional in depth coverage leading up to the National Championship.

To our knowledge we were the only non "core" sponsor links featured on www.HockeyCanada.ca providing official news resource information to the nation, and it was an honour to do so.

(CLICK HERE to check out one of many references to MidgetAAACanada.com Rankings and Awards on www.HockeyCanada.ca. This one appears in the "Atlantic" recap at the beginning and end of the story.)

In 2006, at the Telus Cup, MidgetAAACanada.com was once again recognized nationally as Hockey Canada featured the contributions of the site in a feature article in the Official Hockey Canada Telus Cup Championship Tournament Program.

(CLICK HERE to view).

Since then, we have continued to have a great relationship with Hockey Canada and the entire hockey community as we look forward to working together indefinitely providing the nation with every reason to get excited about minor hockey and grow the game.

From the 160,000 hits we saw the first season, to over 10,000,000 hits in just the fourth season, we couldn't be more proud and excited about the support we've received from the hockey community and our exponential growth.

In 2007, we added a key compenent to our Executive Team when former Chicago Blackhawks Draft Pick Brad Belland (OHL Alumni/12 year professional/German Elite Professional Hockey League/4 Time ECHL-WCHL Champion/Captain San Diego Gulls) joined MidgetAAACanada.com as COO (Chief Operating Office) and active partner.

One of the first things Brad did was contact his three hometown childhood hockey buddies, Warren Rychel (1996 NHL Stanley Cup Champion/8 year NHL veteran) and Bob Boughner (11 year NHL veteran/Captain Calgary Flames/Ex Exec Vice President NHLPA) and Peter Dobrich, former University of Windsor hockey player and prominent Windsor businessman, who had recently purchased the Windsor Spitfires (2009 Mastercard Memorial Cup Champions), to lay plans to build and host the Annual MidgetAAACanada.com Cup in Windsor.

Much to everyone's excitement, the stars aligned and a partnership was formed as December 2008 marked the first annual MidgetAAACanada.com Cup held in Windsor at the beautiful new Windsor Federal Credit Union Center (home of the OHL Windsor Spitfires) and co-sponsored by the OHL Windsor Spitfires and Alliance Hockey (OMHA), hosted by the Windsor Jr. Spitfires Midget AAA Major.

The inaugural tournament was a huge success, and we were elated to hear that our tireless efforts to create a successful first class event were realized when coach after coach voiced their support saying that this was the best tournament they had ever been to while addressing the crowd of over 400 people.

It was truly a testament to the hard work and support of everyone involved including the OHL Windsor Spitfires, City and Mayor of Windsor (Ontario), Windsor AAA Zone, Windsor Minor Hockey, our MidgetAAACanada.com Staff and all of the volunteers.

Some of the distinguished sponsors of the tournament incuded several NHL Teams (Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks), the OHL, as well as Official MidgetAAACanada.com Cup Premier Sponsors Printer Cartridge Canada, Hilton Hotels (Westmont Hospitality Group), Jostens Championship Rings, Next Testing, and many more.

We were also delighted to announce our MidgetAAACanada.com Cup Charity of Choice "Jake's House for children with Autism" whom we are dedicated to helping highlight the great work they do in our communities for children and families affected by Autism.

Another HUGE honour was also bestowed upon us by NHL Senior Executive Vice President Jim Gregory, as he hopped in his car and drove from Toronto to Windsor to lend his legendary presence and support our event.

He greeted people and made it a point to speak to as many people as possible along with making very inspirational dressing room speeches to our All Star Game players, one they will surely remember for the rest of their lives.

Mr. Gregory also dropped the opening puck to the All Star Game as he watched our MidgetAAACanada.com Cup All Star Game players display their talent as they proudly dressed in the NHL Endorsed "Jim Gregory Friendship Tournament" uniforms, in honour of Mr. Gregory and his tournament that is held annually in association with SHI (Special Hockey International) and Jake's House to benefit special needs children and their families.

We look forward to creating more great memories with nail biting action and FUN at our annual winter break tournament in Windsor.

The future is also very bright for MidgetAAACanada.com with the launch of our new website on November 1, 2009 which will provide many awesome features for everyone to take advantage of, as well as the expansion of our MidgetAAACanada.com Cup, and other exciting events that we have planned for 2010.

In conclusion, our passion for the game and our national heritage and pastime will always be a source of inspiration as we move forward with our goals. We are dedicated to providing every resource possible to help players take advantage of opportunities in both hockey and life.

At the same time, these resources are also there to help organizations, teams, coaches and scouts realize their goals while providing added excitement for families and fans that will be archived indefinitely, creating awesome memories to look back on for everyone.

If you would like to contribute to MidgetAAACanada.com in any way, shape or form, we welcome your contributions. We are always looking for national and provincial reporters, stories, photos, videos, sponsors and volunteers.

Also if you're interested in working for MidgetAAACanada.com, we are looking for dynamic individuals who love hockey and are looking for rewarding careers.