Combines take home trophy for fifth time

TWILLINGATE, NL – The Twillingate-New World Island Combines have claimed their fifth championship victory in nine years.
After their third win against the Springdale Braves March 10, the Combines took home the Central Hockey League’s championship trophy for the first time since 2014. Combines player Nathan Hull says it’s satisfying to once again have that trophy in hand.
“It feels great to be back on top,” Hull said. “It’s good to be champs again for sure.”
Hull says the large team of 18 players and strong goaltending played a key factor in this year’s success.
It was the first championship win with Kristian Greenham as team captain. Along with the team, Greenham wanted to express his gratitude and appreciation to the many fans who have stuck by the Combines throughout the games.
“We’ve got the best fans in the league and it don’t go unnoticed,” said Greenham. “Especially the little Combines – it’s always good to see them in the stadium.”
Their championship win in Springdale came with a particularly plentiful snowfall, but that didn’t prevent Combines’ fans from making it out in droves. Greenham says over 100 fans filled up the sections near the Combines’ bench for the game.
For coach Stuart Froude, it was a proud moment to earn the trophy after four years without it. Froude has coached the team for the past nine years and through each of its five victories.
“I’ve been with these boys ever since they were little kids when I coached them in minor hockey,” said Froude. “It still feels great to win it, there’s always that excitement there.”
Greenham says the team is looking to get some minor repairs and cleaning done on the trophy before it will be put on display at the George Hawkins Memorial Arena in Twillingate.