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They’re a team of their own within the Stouffville Spirit roster.

The Spirit has used 13 affiliate players so far this season. They’re minor midget, midget and Jr. C players called up to fill in on an as-needed basis.

Those needs have occurred due to injuries, early-season holes in the roster and in the case of goalie Hunter jones, games with the Peterborough Petes, last month’s World Under-17 Challenge in Sault Ste. Marie and this week’s World Junior A Challenge in Bonnyville, Alberta. That explains the large number of guest netminders who have backed up Aaron Taylor. The list includes David Bowen, the son of Toronto Maple Leafs' announcer Joe Bowen. The Sudbury Wolves’ draft pick is having a solid season for the Markham Waxer midgets.

The affiliates play in arenas as distant as Midland, Orillia, Clarington and Caledon.

Stouffville resident Jacob Breckles, who normally plays midget AAA for the Richmond Hill Coyotes, has played in the most games, seven.

Other Stouffvillites who have suited up for the Spirit this season include Vaughan Kings minor midgets Ashton Reesor of  and Drew Ferris who are both eligible for next spring’s OHL draft.

“We’re looking at several of them to hopefully make our team next year,” said Spirit general manager Kenny Burrows. “If they finish their year strong, they are legitimate Jr. A prospects.”

Burrows and other Spirit scouts also keep tabs on the prospects regularly at their league games and in tournaments, including recent Silver Stick events.

OJHL teams can affiliate with 12 midget, Jr. C or Jr. B players and five minor midgets.

NEAR-PERFECT WEEKEND: The Spirit snapped off a five-game losing streak by going unbeaten in their last four, including three games in three nights last weekend.

They hammered the Milton Icehawks, the last-place team in the OJHL, 18-2, in Milton Friday. Sixteen-year-old rookie Thomas Tinmouth led the Spirit with two goals and three assists.

Back home Saturday night, the Spirit had goals from five different players in a 5-2 win over the Cobourg Cougars.

In Buffalo Sunday night, the hometown Junior Sabres came back from a 3-0 deficit in the third period in a game that ended 3-3 after overtime. Davis Kuksis had a goal and an assist for the Spirit.

With Hunter Jones at the World Jr. A Challenge in Alberta, Aaron Taylor played all three games in net for the Spirit.

The Spirit is on the road for games at Trenton Friday and Wellington Sunday before wrapping up the pre-Christmas portion of their schedule at home with the Markham Royals Dec. 22.

HONOURS FOR SPIRIT FORWARDS: Stouffville Spirit forward Alex Williamson is the OJHL’s North Division Player of the Week for the week of Dec. 5 to 11. The Uxbridge product picked up 6 points in two games for the Spirit this past week. Alex registered two 2 goals and 4 assists. He now has 17 points in 27 games the Stouffville Spirit.

Spirit teammate Josh Argier was named runner-up for the weekly honour. Josh scored 6 points in three games for the Spirit. The Whitby resident registered 1 goal and 5 assists. Josh now has 28 points in 29 games for Stouffville. 

This weekly feature is sponsored by Farmer Jack's in Stouffville and Sharon