Sudbury high school hockey team visits Music City USA

The St. Charles College Cardinals boys high school hockey team in Greater Sudbury is back from a pre-season trip to Nashville, Tenn., with memories that are sure to last a lifetime.

Two former members of the St. Charles team -- Derek McKenzie and Andrew Brunette -- are now coaches with the NHL’s Nashville Predators.

It was through this connection that the Cardinals ventured south to Music City for exhibition games and a chance to meet and greet McKenzie at the Pred's Bridgestone Arena.

"A very unique experience to have two NHL coaches working in Nashville that are graduates of St. Charles," said Cardinals’ coach Rob Zanatta.

"You are going to get a chance to go the ice, and probably do a very similar practice, so just get out there and enjoy it," McKenzie told the player before an on-ice practice session.

Zanatta said in addition to the full-scale NHL practice with McKenzie, the exhibition games against American competition proved interesting.

"The games were a surprise to us," he said.

"A very talented team in the Nashville Junior Predators, we had two games against them with great competition."

Skated with the Predators

In addition to the games, Zanatta said the Cards took in morning skates with the Predators and Edmonton Oilers and then took in the game.

"They learned that the pros are just normal people like anybody else, and they had a chance to meet a few of the Predators as well," he said.

"They watched the practice and learned from the practice the Preds did. Derek ran them through the paces and the kids absolutely loved it."

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Zanatta said the overall experience -- including lengthy bus rides and hockey -- has made the team better.

"These kids really bonded together and bought into the system, allowing us to start our season way ahead than we were last year," he said.

The Cardinals' regular season begins shortly with an eye on hosting and succeeding at the Provincial High School Championships in Sudbury next March.