The fourth annual GMHL College Showcase Classic is set to kick off next week, hosted by the Rama Aces. The town of Rama is embracing the GMHL with open arms, showing support at every opportunity. The following article could be seen on the front page of Wednesday edition of the Orillia Packet & Times, the town’s largest newspaper.

"Aces to Welcome GMHL's Best

By: Randy Lucenti, Orillia Packet & Times

The best of the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL) will be heading to our area next week for the fourth annual GMHL College Showcase Classic. The three-day, tournamentstyle event will kick off next Tuesday at the Rama MASK at 10 a.m. and run through to the championship final Wednesday at 5 p.m.

The Jim Wilson Rama Aces, competing in their first year in the league, will be the host team in the competition, which is a showcase for NCAA, CIS and Major Junior scouts and recruiters.

The tournament lineup is made up of the top six teams in the standings (after 12 games) along with the host Aces and a team made up of the most deserving players from the remaining teams in the GMHL on a squad called the GMHL Selects. They will be coached by Lui Ricci, who guided the Sturgeon Falls Lumberjacks to the league title last season. Other participating teams include the league-leading and undefeated Bradford Rattlers (21-0), Temiscaming Titans, Bracebridge Phantoms, Toronto Attack, Bobcaygeon Bucks and South Muskoka Shield.

There will be six games played Tuesday, beginning with the Aces tangling with the Bucks at 10 a.m. The featured game of the day will be at 8 p.m., when the Aces battle the Rattlers. Action Wednesday gets underway at 9 a.m., when the Selects take on the Attack, and will run through to the night’s featured game between the Aces and Phantoms at 8 p.m.

The top four teams following preliminary action will face off in the semifinal matches Thursday at 10 a.m. and noon, with the winners advancing to the Showcase championship final at 5 p.m.

The tournament has become a staple in the GMHL’s success of moving players on to higher levels of hockey. Over the course of the previous three tournaments, dozens of NCAA, CIS and Major Junior roster spots have been offered to GMHL players after showcasing their abilities in the tournament.

The previous champions of the event include Sturgeon Falls in 2011, the Selects in 2010 and the Rattlers in 2009.

The Aces will be tuning up for the event with a pair of league games this weekend. On Friday night, the Rama skaters welcome the South Muskoka Shield to the MASK at 7:30 p.m., then hit the road Sunday for a big game and Showcase preview against the Rattlers in Bradford."