The Greater Toronto Hockey League’s 16th annual Midget All-Star Festival will take place on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Scotiabank Pond in Downsview Park. The first game to kick off the event will be the Midget A All-Star Game.

The 32 players participating from the Midget A division were nominated by coaches in their respective division. Coaching staff for the teams was determined based on League standings as of late December.

The division leading Hillcrest Canadiens (15-2-3) and third place Avalanche (12-4-3) have the most players on the roster with eight representatives each. The second place Leaside Flames (13-4-5) have seven players who will be lacing up, while the Vaughan Rangers (6-10-4) will have four players dressed. Rosters will be rounded out with five players from the North York Knights (5-13-1) and two from the last place Goulding Park Rangers (2-20-0). Coaching staff from the first place Hillcrest Canadiens and second place Leaside Flames will tend to duties behind the bench.

The Midget All-Star Festival offers players the opportunity to showcase their talent, and for Andrew Laver, a forward for the North York Knights, being chosen for the event is a special honour.

“Very few players are selected from each team so to be one of those few is a really cool feeling.” said Laver. “I am most excited for the chance to play with not only my teammates, but also friends from other teams.”

Goaltenders Samantha Gorman of the North York Knights and Bradley Perez of the Avalanche will be looking to shut the door on their club teammates, as they will be lined up on opposing teams for the game.

Puck drop for the Midget A All-Star Game is slated for 10:30 a.m.