BLACKBURN Hawks are not the only ice hockey success story in town.
Scratch beneath the surface at Blackburn Arena and there is a thriving junior section - a group of talented young players who will be the future of the club for years to come.
Boys and girls aged from four-years-old are taking to the ice hoping to one day emulate the all-conquering Hawks who won the National Ice Hockey League Moralee Division One title and the play-off final last season without losing a single game.
Under the umbrella of the Blackburn Ice Hockey Development Association, the club has two senior teams, Blackburn Eagles and Under 20s and junior teams at Under 18s, 15s, 13s and 11s - but all work closely with the Hawks.
"The success of the Hawks last season has certainly raised the profile of ice hockey and we have had more youngsters taking up the sport," said chairman Matthew Strong. "While we are separate from the Blackburn Hawks we definitely work together and the aim is to get young players progressing up the age groups and in to the senior squad."
A new under 20s team has been formed this season which is an ideal stepping stone from the under 18s.
While the
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