For the first time in their hockey careers, Chase Witala and Tyson Witala will toil for the same team.
The Witala boys, 15 and 17 respectively, used a weekend tryout camp at the Coliseum to lock up roster spots with the major midget Cariboo Cougars. In the past, Chase was always one age group lower than Tyson. But, because the midget division has a three-year playing window, they will overlap for this one season.
The Witalas were among 12 players the Cougars committed to on Sunday, the final day of the camp. Chase, obviously, was happy to make the team. The fact he'll get to play alongside Tyson made his day even more special.
"I'm excited because I'll get the chance to play with my brother now, and I'm excited just to play on the top team up north," said Chase, who will try to use major midget hockey as a stepping stone to the Western Hockey League. In April, in the WHL bantam draft, he was chosen by his hometown Prince George Cougars, 89th overall.
See Tuesday's Citizen for more.
