Total Sports Quinte Fall 2022

Summer

The crowd roars Flash bulbs flicker Social media accounts explode Another hometown hero has inspired the entire nation with a clutch performance on the biggest stage to win gold or raise the trophy. The moment will live on for years in the minds of many

In that moment where you carve into a fresh sheet of ice with your skate blades anything is possible. You can score momentous goals, make thrilling saves, and leave your mark on the game. At the same time, you can learn, laugh, and become yourself through hockey.

For every Christine Sinclair, Sidney Crosby, Penny Oleksiak or Rick Nash, there’s a back story that goes beyond the championship. Often, it starts with a spark of joy just playing the game in youth. It is the family, coaches, teammates and community that kindled that spark through the years And, it is the hours of practice, training, and sacrifice that few see

I played some junior, I coached my daughters’ teams, and made lifelong friends over years of road trips, early morning practices, and swapping stories after the final buzzer. For so many of us, hockey has become a way of life. While you may leaf through Total Sports and read of the exploits and fortunes of such crews as the Hawks, Bulls, Red Devils, or Bearcats, their experiences relate to our own.

The next great could come from anywhere. Judging by the young talent profiled on these pages, it could be here in the Quinte region I’m proud to be involved with our dedicated, passionate sporting community Thank you volunteers and supporters for all you do to ensure young people have a lifelong love of sport whether they ultimately push for stardom or simply enjoy playing and staying active.

Those Quinte residents who share their passion for the game by volunteering are offering a great gift to another generation of players. Parents and the community do likewise, often sacrificing more than their athletes know to ensure they are well equipped and registered. One day, their work may lead to a scholarship or a call on draft day. It may also produce a weekly pick-up player. Or a coach. Or a referee. Each has value, and remember, it started with the game being fun.

I’m pleased the Province has made a strong commitment to support Provincial Sport Organizations and Multi Sport Organizations to ensure our local amateur athletics programs are in a strong position to grow and recover after two challenging years. Sport builds community, it teaches valuable life lessons, and its impact reaches far beyond the action on the field right across our local economy

Some of the all-time greats like Bobby Orr or Wayne Gretzky would also remind us that some of the best lessons they learned and some their best experiences in sport came from trying something different for part of the year – like swinging a bat or kicking a ball. In this special hockey edition, I’m pleased to read about a normal 2022 summer and some of the exceptional feats of the season.

My Bay of Quinte team are your fans

here to support local families so they can focus on the game If you have questions about provincial programs or services, please contact my office.

In closing, please join me in encouraging the young athletes in your life In the words of famed Canadian Olympic and World champion Donovan Bailey: “Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and above all, don’t let anyone limit your dreams.

My Bay of Quinte constituency team and I pride ourselves on being big fans of sporting families. We’re here to assist you to reach your goals and to concentrate on making memories. If you have questions about provincial programs or services, please contact my office.

On this 50th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series, I’ll leave you with some inspiration for the upcoming year from one of the faces of Team Canada, Phil Esposito. “Play with passion and heart. If you don’t carry passion into sport – or in any job for that matter – you won’t succeed.” Go out there, young players, have fun and do your best.

Todd Smith MPP, Bay of Quinte

Total

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Kelly Leigh Martin WRITERS

Jeff Gard - Total Sports Writer

Randy Uens

Total Sports Writer

Chris Lisle - Royals Baseball

Joey Walsh - Hockeystickman

Aaron Bell - Belleville Hockey History

Alex Gallacher

Shannonville Motorsport Park

EDITOR

Jeff Gard

DISTRIBUTION

Total Sports Staff

Total Sports Staff

Ed McPherson/

Amy Deroche

Devin Doucette

Deroche

Adam Bramburger

Quinte

- Take Mike For Granite, Randy Uens, Boathouse Seafood Restaurant, Loyalist Lancers, Dr Julianne Peterson, Wellington Dukes, Quinte Royals Baseball, Christine Rutter - EXIT Realty Group, Quinte Smart Homes, Best Western Belleville. County Clippers, Mr Print, Rolf the Jeweller, Tyendinaga Basketball, Quinte Curling Club, MPP Todd Smith, Xplore High Speed Internet, Hockeystickman.ca - Joey Walsh, Belleville Junior Bulls, County Kings Minor Hockey, Trenton Minor Golden Hawks, Trenton Golden Hawks, Quinte Red Devils, 99.3 County FM, Hamilton Smith Limited, Frankford Huskies, Quinte West Chamber of COmmerce, Picton Pirates, Aaron Bell, Campbellford Rebels, Deseronto Bulldogs, Tweed Oil Kings, Belleville Bearcats, Napanee Raiders, Shannonville Motorsport Park.

COVER PHOTO - ED MCPHERSON - OJHL IMAGES

Hockey Stick

Junior Bulls - Back on

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for Your Team - List With her!

County Kings Minor Hockey a Community Affair

Minor Golden Hawks Soaring Once Again

Your Sports Charms at Rolf The Jeweller Trenton

Golden Hawks Former Coach to Lead New Players

Red Devils - Quinte Day Returns

Craig Foster for the Dukes Away Games on 99.3 FM

Dukes A Big Family in the County

Frankford Huskies Revamp Roster for Second Season

Vs Sens Bus Trip Tickets on Sale - Great Xmas Gift!

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Rebels Building a Competitive Roster

Bulldogs & Tweed Oil Kings Return to EOSHL Action

Bearcats Ready to Roar

Napanee Raiders Return to Defend Division Title

Sticks, Skates, Gloves, Goalie Gear & More

Western Belleville - Sports Teams Welcome!

OUR COVER STARS!

Jacob Vreugdenhil

The 20-year-old from Belleville is wrapping up his final season of junior hockey with the Wellington Dukes. He’s in his fifth season with the Dukes and is the new captain of the Ontario Junior Hockey League club. Prior to joining the Dukes as a 16-yearold old, he played seven seasons of ‘AAA’ hockey with the Quinte Red Devils.

Avery Doty

Seven-year-old Avery played hockey for three years in her home centre of Quinte West. While cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs, her favourite hockey players are Mitch Marner, Hayley Wickenheiser and Marie-Philip Poulin. “Hockey is really fun,” she says. “I am happy and thankful that I have really awesome coaches. Big thanks to my coaches!” Avery is playing for the Belleville Bearcats U9 and under Tier 1 team and the 2015 Spitfires Development team.

Addison Kerik-Lewis

Addison has been playing in her hometown with Belleville Minor Hockey for four years now. She likes meeting new friends and playing against old friends, sometimes “kicking their butts.” Winning is great, while losing can be sad, she said, adding “but that’s okay, it’s all about having fun! Every year we learn new skills and we have fun.” Addison plans to keep working hard and aspires to play for Canada’s women’s national team.

Hallie Coxwell

Hallie, who lives in Frankford, is seven and heading into her fourth season with Quinte West Minor Hockey. “The fun games we play during practices and scoring goals” are her favourite things about hockey. While being a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, she loves to showcase her own skills on the ice as well. “I love it when my mom and family come to watch me play.”

Jackson Doty

Born in Anyang City, South Korea, Jackson has lived in Quinte West since 2014 and played Canada’s favourite sport for six years with the minor Golden Hawks. This season he’s playing for the Northumberland Nighthawks U12 AA team. What does the 11-year-old love about hockey? “Everything!” He’s a fan of Mitch Marner and John Tavares and cheers for the Toronto Maple Leafs. “I’d like to thank my family for driving me everywhere and supporting me all the way,” he adds.

Eli Nyman

Eli is five and has already been playing hockey for three years with the Prince Edward County Timbits. He loves scoring goals, which is not surprising considering his favourite player is Connor McDavid, but he’s also ready for a new challenge this season. “I am going to try goalie this year!” he says.

Parker Nyman

Like his siblings, Parker is from Wellington. The nineyear-old has been playing for five years and loves competing for the Prince Edward County Kings and being a goaltender. He’s a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and his favourite players are Auston Matthews and Jack Campbell. “I love playing hockey and having good friends play hockey with me!”

Cole Rigby

Just three years old, Cole is excited for his first season of organized hockey. The Frankford resident will be part of the Jr. Macs program with Quinte West Minor Hockey. He’s been learning hockey skills since he was two and loves “everything” about the sport. His favourite teams are the Wellington Dukes and Belleville Senators.

Chloe Nyman

At four years old, she’s excited to be entering her first season of hockey in Prince Edward County.

RETURN TO SPORTS LOYALIST LANCERS

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

Playing sports is part of the post-secondary school experience for many students. That’s no exception at Loyalist College in Belleville.

Loyalist also wasn’t exempt from the challenges of the past couple of years. While sports did return in last season, it wasn’t the same as athletes returned to action, but with reduced schedules. Now with the 2022-23 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association seasons set to launch, sports are back in full swing for Loyalist Lancers athletes.

“This year, at this point right now, we’re scheduled to be right back to normal full seasons,” said athletic director Jim Buck, noting Loyalist will host the OCAA women’s rugby 7’s provincial championship tournament on Oct. 29. “We’re pretty excited. Our field is in fabulous shape at the moment and the year prior to COVID we hosted the women’s rugby sevens and had a really good championship so we’re looking forward to hosting that again.”

Six teams will compete with the Lancers earning a berth as the host team, which wasn’t the case last time. Loyalist’s team didn’t qualify and Buck said it was bittersweet hosting the provincial championship, but without a local entry. That won’t be the case this year and Loyalist’s women’s rugby 7’s team is expected to be a good example of the strong mix of local athletes and other recruited players competing on all Lancers teams this season.

“We have a really good mix actually of local athletes and athletes from out of town this year,” said Amy Hoskin, who is Loyalist’s coordinator of varsity and sports information. “We’ve got a good number of local athletes coming in, which is really exciting. Not only are they local, they’re really talented and really wonderful kids which is such a big thing for us. “We’ve got kids coming from all over not only Ontario, there’s kids from across Canada that are coming, we’ve got a handful of international students that are playing on our teams right now so it really is kind of a unique group and it’s really interesting to see them once they get going.”

Buck, who has been at Loyalist for 35 years, said the Lancers have attracted some great local athletes over the years. Some of the high school and club programs perhaps aren’t as strong as they once were, though the pandemic has added further challenges to developing young athletes.

“We’ve had some great ones over the years and we’re still getting some,” Buck said.

He’s excited about the addition of a golf team at Loyalist. Golf is being introduced as an exhibition sport this year and will become a full varsity sport next year. College golf is a short season dictated by weather of course. The season is comprised of three to five invitational tournaments followed by provincial and national championships for both men and women.

“We’re hoping we can tap into the local high school and golf talent pool to build that program,” Buck said.

Cross-country is another great varsity sport for local athletes, many of whom may have competed in high school as Bay of Quinte is certainly a strong region. Some athletes move on to compete at the university level, though Buck reminds that a great opportunity for running exists at Loyalist as well.

That’s the case for all sports, including basketball, rugby, soccer and volleyball as well.

“We certainly would like to draw on our local area and it’s important to us and we feel we try to do as much as we can in the community hosting high school tournaments so we’ll get back to hosting all-star games here again over this season and hopefully the next couple years and let local kids know that it’s pretty good here,” Buck said. “With our improved facilities that are happening, I think that we’ll start to really garner some more attention from our local coaches and athletes.”

Tryouts were held for the Lancers varsity teams, but Hoskin encourages current or prospective Loyalist student-athletes to get in touch with coaches at any time to discuss future opportunities.

“Our coaches do a lot of recruiting so they do have a good number of athletes already coming in, but we’re always welcome to walk-ons and people to come in,” Hoskin said. “We like to keep the door open for people to come in and try out if they’re maybe not from the area or didn’t get recruited or scouted or something.”

Loyalist Lancers games are open to the public. Be sure to check out www.loyalistlancers.com for team schedules. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter @LoyalistLancers.

“We love having our community come out,” Hoskin said. “There’s no charge for any of our games so it’s pretty good free entertainment and a good way to bring the family out to spend a Friday night or a Saturday. We do have a good local community fan base, but we’re always looking to expand that.”

Hoskin said the Lancers teams are “really excited” about the upcoming year.

“Our coaches have done a fantastic job recruiting,” she said. “This is probably one of our biggest recruiting years we’ve had in a long time so we’re really, really excited to see the teams get going and having a great season.”

Cross-country runner Isaac Hollinger competes for Loyalist.

Hannah Bender of the Loyalist Lancers fends off opponents during women’s rugby 7’s action.

By Jeff Gard/Total Sports Quinte

COUNTY CLIPPERS READY TO REBOUND

The County Clippers youth basketball organization welcomes players back for another season for both rep and finally house league as well.

President Rob Garden helped launch the Clippers program back in 2007 as a way to grow the sport of basketball in Prince Edward County. Initially they had about 20 house league players in grades seven and eight before the program grew during the next 13 years to involve more than 300 kids playing rep and house league.

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought on questions about the future of Clippers basketball. “Would we be starting from scratch when we returned? Would kids and families want to come back? There were so many unknowns,” Garden said. “We’re thrilled to report that kids and families are not only coming back, but the demand is higher than ever before.”

More than 100 kids in August had already registered for rep tryouts, which were held in September. The Clippers are also looking to run some rookie league sessions for children in kindergarten to grade three during the winter months.

House league for children in kindergarten through grade eight will be returning in March 2023.

“The main reason we had so much success in the first 13 years of our program was the amazing people that were involved: players, families, coaches, executive committee, sponsors, and youth volunteers,” Garden said. “It’s really heartwarming and encouraging to see that the strong foundation we built might have bent during COVID, but it certainly didn’t break, and we’re coming back stronger and more determined than ever.”

Clippers executive members and coaches are excited to get the rep season going, especially with five teams expected to compete this year, including under-10 boys and girls, under-12 boys and girls and under-14 boys and girls. Talk about a rebound from last year.

“We really only had one team going last year and it was a U12 boys team. We also had a small development team at the U10 level, but they really did not have an opportunity to play other teams,” said Jamie

McCourt, who looks after the rep teams as the organization’s vicepresident of Ontario Basketball Association affairs. “Rob Garden and the executive have worked hard to try and set up opportunities for kids in the area. Gyms are booked, we have some new coaches who are excited to work with new teams. I think kids and families are excited to get back to normal and being physically active and participating in sport. We will have two U10 teams who have never played organized rep basketball before.”

Coaches were announced for the upcoming season and are: U10 girls – Drew Wollenberg U10 boys – Tyler Maracle U12 boys – Eli Carlone U12 girls - Nathan Vader U14 girls – Samantha Boardley U14 boys – Jamie McCourt

There wasn’t expected to be a U12 girls team this season until Vader stepped up.

McCourt is pleased to have all the new coaches aboard.

“These coaches have various coaching and playing experience, but it is exciting to have new faces and new blood in the program,” he remarked. “They are all really excited to help develop basketball in the County. All of the coaches have worked with local kids through camps or programs this summer.”

McCourt added the Clippers are planning to run a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) coaches course this fall. Watch the organization’s website and Facebook page (@countyclippers) for details.

“This is a chance for coaches from surrounding areas to come and get their certification as well,” McCourt said.

PHOTO: Backrow Coaches: Eli Carlone, James McCourt, Tyler Thrasher, Tyler Maracle - Frontrow: Theo Wollenberg, Koen Hill, Sawyer Barnett, Ben Carlone, Hunter McCourt, Nate Thrasher, Jonas McCourt, Oakley Brookes, Henry Lees, Hayden Maracle. Missing: Mason Weaver

U Turns: A View on Sports Sports Column

By: Randy Uens Passion, Love and Forgiveness: Sports Lessons from my Favourite Songs

Both my kids are now playing hockey in the U.S. Exciting times but as the saying goes, “the more things change the more they stay the same”, I find I am still driving to hockey…its just longer trips.

The biggest change is the fact that the kids aren’t in the car with us as we are going to these games. I miss those days. I miss the crappy music my daughter forced me to listen to. I miss the conversations after the game over a Burrito Bowl on the side of the highway with a rap tune blaring in the background.

Maybe I’m getting sentimental in my old age. Songs are truly the soundtrack of your life. On my last trip down I worked up a playlist of some of my favourite songs. My music interests are varied, but I know what I like, at least I thought I knew. I’ve always been pretty rock oriented. Old rock, alternative rock, even a little heavy metal if it is done right. Toss in a little rap and blues and I’ve got my playlist for my road trip.

As I was compiling my playlists, I started to realize that I wanted some of those songs my daughter used to play, you know the ones that at the time you cringed when you first heard them. A few rap, a few country, but they worked their way into my playlist. It’s not so much the songs as much as the memory of the moment when I heard them. The artist may have had a different reason for writing the song, but you always put your own slant on lyrics.

Its amazing where your mind wonders when your partner is snoozing in the passenger seat at 11 pm on a lonely highway in Upper New York state, listening to a nostalgic playlist. Each song had a memory attached to it. Some I can share here, some I can’t.

We had just come from watching my daughter’s college team win her first two home games. My daughter has always been a happy go lucky kid, but this trip illustrated to us how content she is in her new home away from home. We were very happy to see how she has settled in and loving her time playing hockey and going to school.

Each song that came on the playlist flooded memories of the journey that got us to this place. The mistakes, the missteps along with the moments where we did things right …the little victories.

“Empty prayer, empty mouths talk about the passion Not Everyone can carry the weight of the world, Not Everyone can carry the weight of the world, Talk about the passion”

REM: Talk About The Passion”

I know it’s a cliché, Time flies. In a blink of a moment, you go from Timbit skates with aching fingers from tying up a dozen pairs of skates

to making decisions on where they are going to play junior or what are they passionate about, do sports even fit with their academic passions. You really must stay in the moment as you go through the process with your kids. Enjoy and embrace every step as it is gone so fast. Easy to say but tough to do. Embrace the passion you both have for the sport.

It brings you closer together.

“Old man take a look at my life, I’m a lot like you. I need someone to love me the whole day through”

Old Man: Neil Young

I know that Neil wrote this song about a caretaker that lived on a farm he had bought in California. For me, it always brings me back to my relationship with my dad and how I try to not only do the right things he did but try not to have any regrets with my own kids like the ones he relayed to me over the years.

Be there for your kids and enjoy the moment. Enjoy the time together, enjoy watching them play the sport. Too often we impress our own wants or insecurities on the kids, and it takes away the love of the game for them. It’s their time to shine.

“Come as you are, as you were As I want you to be As a friend, as a friend As an old enemy”

Nirvana: Come as You Are

For me this is a song of forgiveness. As much as we want sports to be perfect, they aren’t. We all make mistakes. Coaches, referees, parents, players. Its part of the game. We need to forgive each other, be patient with each other and in the end come together for the love of the game. Sometimes we need to take a step back and think or empathize with the other person before reacting to a situation in the moment. Acceptance, empathy and forgiveness will make your youth sports experience far more positive.

Hello out there, were on the air it’s hockey night tonight! The tension grows, the whistle blows, and the puck goes down the ice. The goalie jumps, and the players bump, and the fans all go insane.

Someone roars:

“Bobby Scores!”

At the good old hockey game

Nothing better… Enjoy the season!

4 QUINTE ROYALS TEAMS Win EOBA Championships

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

It was another successful season on the diamonds for the Quinte Royals Baseball Club.

Four Royals teams – 10U, 12U, 13U and 15U – won their respective Eastern Ontario Baseball Association championships and advanced to the Ontario Baseball Association provincial championships.

Royals 10U players were Logan Thompson, Griffin Van Gemeren, Hunter Mayer, Jillian Bell, Kohen Couperus, Mason Haggar, Preston Martin, Jack Seeney, Carter Madill, Michael Ampuero, Ryerson Miller and Nolan Bell.

Competing for the 12U Royals were Henry Martin, Henry Stitt, Ben Stitt, Gabe Larkin, Tyson Cooper, Eric Bell, Talon Dafoe, Tucker Allen, Grayden Howard, Dawson Roth, Brayden Tweedy, Sam Murphy, Dominic Labarge and Logan Hannah.

Members of the 13U Royals were Logan Fonger, Nathan Miron, Trip Harvey, Jayden Pembleton, Jenson Shaver, Kalen Banks, Hudson Grimmon, Ryan Dunn, Taite Crawford, Tavis McCrambridge, Seth Martin and Lorne Miles.

Quinte 15U Royals this season were Bryce Mitchell, Jakob Briscoe, Colin Stephens, Mitchell Sills, Oliver Brackenbury, Nathan Soules, Christian Fonger, Curtis Kerslake, Colby Coe, Ben Demille, Nick Martin, Cole Baird and Marcus Forbes.

The 14U Royals also had an exceptional season and EOBA tournament. They entered as the No. 7 seed and almost won the championship, but finished as the EOBA runner-up.

Team members were Alex Bissett, Carter Rowles, Connor Boates, Colin Launderville, Ethan Thompson, Gavin Gardiner, Jack Stitt, Josh Thompson, Max LaCroix, Nolan Reitzel, Benjamin Dryfhout and Jack Murphy.

To learn more about the Royals baseball program, visit www. quinteroyalsbaseball.com

Top photos by Deroche Sports Photography

Photo by Deroche Sports Photography

By Chris Lisle Royals Baseball

Top photos by Deroche Sports Photography

QUINTE ROYALS SOAR Into 2023

Quinte Royals Baseball roars into 2023, starting with fall tryout season for teams from age 9u to 18u. The last few weeks have seen Quinte’s ballparks buzz with anticipation for the 2023 season. Registration numbers spiked after the Royals crowned 4 out of 5 teams Eastern Ontario Baseball Association Champions to the Ontario Baseball Association Provincial Championships on Labour Day weekend. The 10u Royals were in Woodstock, 12u Royals were in Sudbury, 13u Royals were in London, and the 15u Royals were in Windsor.

After the 10, 13u and 15u teams were eliminated from their respective tournaments, all eyes were on the remaining Royals entry in 12u as they began a run for a Provincial Championship ring.

The road to the OBAs lead the team North to beautiful Sudbury for a final weekend of baseball over the Labor Day long weekend. Twelve championship teams made the trip with the goal of walking away with a Championship ring.

The tournament draw found the Royals facing off against the Waterloo Tigers on Friday afternoon game one of the tournament. The Royals came to play, with stellar pitching and defense to walk away with a 7-2 victory. Friday’s second game saw the team draw the defending champion Oakville A’s. Quinte quickly fell back into their hitting groove and surprised Oakville with 17 runs. Oakville was no match on this night and the Royals went on to a 17-6 victory.

The excitement and joy of the 2-0 start quickly changed when the team battled against the Guelph Royals the following Saturday morning. Cold northern temperatures, rain and wind added to the struggles as the team came out flat losing 16-1 and suffering the teams first loss in both tournaments.

Saturday’s second elimination game found the Royals facing off against the Vaughan Vikings of the YSBA for a chance to move on to Sunday. Once again the Royals displayed dominant pitching and defense allowing the bats to break out and close the game early with a 15-5 win.

On Championship Sunday, with only four teams remaining the Royals faced off against the LaSalle Titans. LaSalle had already beaten the tournament host and had held opposing teams to under 2 runs against in their OBA tournament games. The Royals surprised the Titans and scored 6 runs over 6 innings and took a 3 run lead into the final inning. LaSalle battled and was able to come back to walk off the Royals 7-6 ending the tournament hopes for Quinte.

The growth and development of the 2021/22 U12A Quinte Royals has been tremendous over the past season. The team finished the season making it to Championship Sunday in all their tournaments this year, a fourth place finish at the OBAs and became back to back EOBA Champions.

Quinte Royals executive team, coaching staff and local UIC Bill VanBoxtell began recruiting in the spring to bolster the umpire pool as the season kicked into gear for both the rep and house league is Quinte. By the end of the summer, the Quinte group gained confidence that the popular Summer Sensation tournaments could return to Quinte’s ballparks such as Wellington, Quinte West, Belleville and Melrose.

Quinte Royals 2023 Coaching Staff:

9u- Nathan Vader 10u- Matthew Bassett-Spiers 11u- Dave Bell 12u- Anthony Buttaro 13u- Adam Martin 14u- Chad Crawford 15u- Jamie Murphy 16u- Chris Lisle 17u/18u- Jim Barrett

As rosters are set, the Royals teams will turn their attention to indoor training to prepare for the upcoming EOBA season. The Royals wish to thank all their dedicated volunteers, whose efforts bring exciting baseball to the Quinte Region. Also, the many sponsors that make it possible for our baseball families to travel the province and represent Quinte so well. For more information on Quinte Royals Baseball, check out the website and social media for events and schedules.

Coaches Adam Martin, Mike Larkin, Mike Lane, CJ Bell and Dan Howard are very proud of our players Tucker Allen, Eric Bell, Tyson Cooper, Grayden Howard, Logan Hanna, Dominic LaBarge, Gabriel Larkin, Hank Martin, Sam Murphy, Dawson Roth, Ben Stitt, Henry Stitt and Braydon Tweedy.

Royals Executive team: Chris Lisle President, Chad Crawford Vice President, Emma Demille Secretary/Treasurer

SUMMER INDIGENOUS GAMES

Tyendinaga Basketball Players Compete at Ontario Summer Indigenous Games

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

The Ontario Summer Indigenous Games (OSIG) took place at the University of Ottawa from July 28 to 31.

The host nation was The Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation.

There were 280 athletes involved in OSIG in various sport events (athletics, volleyball, softball, soccer and basketball).

Tyendinaga held a community basketball try-out at the beginning of May and was able to get enough athletes to have teams at all the levels (U16 female, U16 male, U19 female and U19 male).

“We started with three skills sessions and then practiced twice a week through June and July,” said James McCourt. “Our teams from Tyendinaga were called the Kenhtè:ke Wolves. All teams had an opportunity to medal.”

Tyendinaga’s U16 girls won gold by five points against a team that beat them by 15 in round-robin play while the U19 men earned silver, losing the gold-medal final by four to an opponent that earlier defeated them by 20 points.

Meanwhile the U19 women’s team captured the bronze medal and the U16 boys were edged in their bronze medal game to place fourth.

“Three of our four teams came home with medals, but more importantly our athletes were able to gain valuable experiences,” McCourt said.

“The athletes were able to stay at the University of Ottawa dorms and play on the home court of the Gee Gees. We were able to go and watch a practice of the Ottawa Blackjacks from the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Players from the Blackjacks came and ran our players through skill sessions at the University of Ottawa. Overall it was an amazing experience for our 37 athletes.” McCourt was a coach as was Susan Barberstock, Sara MacNeil, Derek Smith and Kandice Baptiste, who were all amazing, he noted.

“We had awesome support from our chaperones Justin McCourt, Mark Ford, Derek Smith, Seig Ocampo, Karl Edwards, Tracy Ford, Cindy Ocampo, Jen Brant and Kayla MacIntyre,” McCourt added.

Community sponsorships paid for the athletes’ packages of uniforms, warm-ups and backpacks. The community sponsors were: Nations Best Convenience, Five Nations Tobacco and Fuel, Village Variety and Threadworks Custom Embroidery.

U16 Mens Team: Derek Smith (Coach), Caige Sero-Baker, Cash Brookes, Rodderek Smith, Tristan McWilliams, Takoda Plett, Hayden Lloyd, Dominic Maracle, Kooper Maracle, Gage Barberstock, Caius Smith, Susan Barberstick (Coach), Sara MacNeil (Coach)

U19 Mens Team (Silver Medal Winners) Back Row: Daelon Smith, Jared Barberstock Front Row: Sara MacNeil (Coach), Derek Smith (Coach), Eric Hodo Martin, Daiton Maracle, Jordon McMullen, Daniel Chase, Aiden Sheppard, Susan Barberstock. (Coach), James McCourt (Coach)

U19 Womens Team (Bronze Medal Winners) James McCourt (Coach), Susan Barberstock (Coach), Sara MacNeil (Coach), Corrie Pearson, Emma BrantEdwards, Mikayla Robinson, Chelsea Neepin, Jadyn Maracle, Sierra Doxtator, Marlee Maracle

Top Photo: U16 Womens Team (Gold Medal Winners) Back Row: Evelyn Shakell, Maya Ocampo, Molly Cook-Martin, Neeleigh-Raye Ford, Adina Brant-Edwards Front Row: Bailey Jobson, Cassie Lloyd, Tori Spence, Mikenna Ford, Ella McCourt, Brooklyn Maracle, Victoria McCourt, Jorja McMullen

from feeling good about yourself – your skills,

crooked, gapped

child’s

one

QUINTE CURLING CLUB Offers Programs for Adult and Youth

Give Curling a try!

Interested participants are invited to give curling a try for free in late October at the Quinte Curling Club.

Located at 246 Bridge Street in Belleville, the QCC two-day event will run Saturday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 23 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Club volunteers will be on hand to introduce the sport, making sure that all visitors get on and off the ice surface safely.

Introductory sessions will start on each half hour, beginning with a safety review. All the necessary equipment will be provided, including gripper, slider, broom and of course the curling rocks.

Visitors simply need to arrive with clean running shoes, warm gloves and warm, stretchy, comfortable layers of clothing. Many curlers wear a headband or toque to keep their ears warm.

Experienced curlers will help visitors by answering questions, demonstrating techniques and serving hot drinks and snacks.

The QCC offers curling for all ages and skill levels, beginning with Learn2Curl and ending with the high-level competition.

Information will be available at the upcoming event about the different leagues, especially the Learn2Curl program beginning in November.

Meanwhile, the QCC is also offering fun and skills training for youth on Sunday mornings beginning Oct. 23 at reasonable rates.

The sessions will be led by Kim Wilson, a certified coach whose energy is infection.

Registration is now open for the season, which runs from October to April.

Little Rocks and Youth Novice is fun, some skills and games from 10 to 11:45 a.m. on Sundays while Youth Intermediate, for building skills, is from noon to 1:45 p.m. Curlers at that level must be able to throw a rock the full sheet.

For more information, visit quintecurlingclub.ca or e-mail qccjuniorsrock@gmail.com.

Visit Quintecurlingclub.ca

SHANNONVILLE MOTORSPORT PARK Super Series Concludes 2022 In Style

By Alex Gallacher - Shannonville Motorsport Park

The Super Series officially concluded its 2022 season with a Celebration of Champions held at the new Shannonville Event Centre. Over 75 guests and their families made the trip to end the year in style where each class saw the top three riders honoured with a special award.

The list of champions this year saw a few new additions including Jordan Decarie, Alexis Beaudoin, Francois Gauvin and Istvan Hidvegi all picking up their first title in career. Drew Weber claimed his first Pro class titles, along with Eric Quintin and Elie Daccache claiming more titles in their already impressive path.

In addition, the Super Series gave out awards to a large and diverse group of riders. Over 20 different riders received their plaques, becoming the largest group of winners since 2019.

Special awards were also given out near the end of the evening. Jamie Ross was presented the Maxime Mercier Sportsmanship Award for his exemplary dedication to helping out fellow competitors without hesitation. Kayla Hannaford was presented the True Grit & Determination Award for her strength after she recovered from a concussion and broken collarbone during the first race weekend of the season and was later able to manage her first front-row start since Novice.

Jordan Decarie was presented the Racer’s Spirit Award for being one of the most obliging riders during meetings and always offering creative and constructive solutions to always make the Super Series better. Alexis Beaudoin was the top Novice rider of the season, taking home Rookie of the Year honours. Last but not least, Neil Stanavech was presented the President’s Choice Award for most improved amateur rider.

Finally, the CRCA marshals were given the special Super Series Special Achievement Award for their outstanding contributions to the sport.

“Our first full season of Super Series couldn’t have been better,” said Super Series General Manager, Dominique Bondar. “We saw some amazing and intense racing all year long, and we look forward to seeing more in 2023. Thank you to all the riders, teams, officials and fans who made this season a resounding success.”

As the 2023 season is on the horizon, the Super Series schedule will be announced in a few weeks. Riders can purchase their 2023 competition licence as of December 1, 2022. Riders who will opt to sign up for the full season will receive a special rate.

Award Winners:

Novice: Alexis Beaudoin, Champion. Ryan Dunwoodie 2nd, Doug Newman 3rd.

AM Sportbike: Jordan Decarie, Champion. Eric Quintin 2nd, Adam Pearsall 3rd.

Pro Sportbike: Drew Weber, Champion. Alex Coelho 2nd, Jose Azevedo 3rd.

AM Superbike: Jordan Decarie, Champion. Matt Vanderhorst 2nd, Ryan Dunwoodie 3rd.

Pro Superbike: Elie Daccache, Champion. Alex Coelho 2nd, Eros Mukja 3rd.

Lightweight Production: Eric Quintin, Champion. Jean-Pascal Schroeder 2nd, Dylan Leclair 3rd.

Lightweight Superbike: Istvan Hidvegi, Champion. Miles Keller 2nd, David Buckland 3rd.

Sprint Cup: Elie Daccache, Champion. Matt Vanderhorst 2nd, Eros Mukja 3rd.

Heavyweight Sportsman: Drew Weber, Champion. Wes Barnes 2nd, Colin Duncan 3rd.

Sportsman Lightweight: Francois Gauvin, Champion. Jean-Pascal Schroeder 2nd, Dylan Leclair 3rd.

Special Awards:

Maxime Mercier Sportsmanship Award: Jamie Ross

True Girt & Determination Award: Kayla Hannaford

Rookie of the Year: Alexis Beaudoin

Racer’s Spirit Award: Jordan Decarie

President’s Choice Award: Neil Stanavech

Super Series Special Achievement Award: CRCA Marshals

HERITAGE ON ICE SERIES

By: Aaron Bell - Belleville Heritage Hockey

For more than a century, Belleville’s best times have been at the rink. From the Arnott Rink on Turnbull Street to the Memorial in Market Square and the Yardmen on Cannifton, we have cheered our local hockey heroes…together.

Friday nights at the Memorial. Saturday nights at the Yardmen. The personality of our community has been shaped by our success on the ice.

“The Golden Jet” Bobby Hull, “Toots” Holway, Sandy Burrows, Moe Benoit, Gordie Bell, Rick Meagher, Bob Crawford, Jonathan Cheechoo and P.K. Subban brought the fans to the rinks…and out of their seats.

When the McFarlands, Bobcats and Bulls won championships for Belleville, the entire community shared in the pride of those victories. We walked a little taller because of their success on the ice.

Heritage on Ice: Celebrating Belleville’s Hockey History is the story of the community of Belleville and how its identity has been shaped over the past 130 years by the game of hockey.

The story is told from the unique perspective of the men and women that played and coached the game, the local media that covered the games and the fans that cheered Belleville’s hockey stars.

Using archival footage and photographs along with interviews with past players, coaches and hockey historians, the Heritage on Ice series will bring the story of Belleville’s hockey heritage together like never before.

Relive the stories of the games, players and teams that have given the community of Belleville so much to cheer for.

Belleville’s Rich

Heritage on Ice SERIES EPISODES

Chapter 1 Our Hockey Origins

Henry Corby chaired the first meeting of the Belleville Hockey Club and set in motion a tradition of success that we continue to enjoy today. Sandy Burrows, Jack Winchester and Jack Marks star for Belleville’s original Silver Seven. They thrilled the community when they challenged for Ontario championships. Marks went on to become a three-time Stanley Cup champion.

Chapter 2

Ontario’s Finest Arena

“Gunner” Arnott, “Soup” Goyer and “Toots” Holway starred for Belleville’s Intermediates that dominated the Eastern Ontario loop. The community welcomed the opening of the finest ice arena in Ontario and turned out by the thousands to cheer on their senior teams including the Redmen, Reliance and Black Hawks. Local star Bob Hull watches his son emerge as one of the all-time greats of the game.

SERIES TO CELEBRATE Hockey History

Chapter 3 MORE MACS MORE

The McFarlands bring home Belleville’s first national championship with a remarkable comeback win over the Kelowna Packers in the Allen Cup. Then they travel to Czechoslovakia to win the gold medal at the world championships. Bobby Hull becomes Belleville’s first superstar while setting NHL records with the Chicago Blackhawks and the local juniors establish themselves as contenders across the province.

Chapter 4 The Next Generation

The local railroaders raise millions to build a beautiful new arena that helps usher in a new era of junior hockey in Belleville. The next generation of Crawfords, Meaghers and Goegans help the Belleville Bobcats become the class of Junior B hockey in Ontario. Dennis Hull joins the stars of the NHL against the Soviets in the game-changing Summit Series.

Chapter 5

Bring on the Bulls

With a state-of-the-art new facility, the Belleville Bulls claim a provincial championship and usher in a new era of junior hockey with a familiar face behind the bench. Two of the Crawford brothers put their names on the Memorial Cup and the Gretzky brothers bring some star-power to the Friendly City. The Toronto Maple Leafs make history when they select three Bulls in the first round of the NHL Draft.

Chapter 6: A Sensational New Era

The Bulls break through and win the Robertson Cup as OHL champions and represent Belleville in a pair of Memorial Cup tournaments. Local stars Andrew Raycroft, Matt Cooke, Brad Richardson and Andrew Shaw make names for themselves in the NHL. After celebrating a century of hockey, the community welcomes the American Hockey League Belleville Senators.

WHAT IS THE RIGHT HOCKEY STICK LENGTH?

By: Joey Walsh HockeyStickMan.ca

Does hockey stick length affect performance?

Stick length can have a major impact on a player’s game. A stick that is not the correct length affects both the hockey stick, and player’s performance.

What part of you’re game does stick length affect?

Stickhandling - the overall ability to control the puck Your shot - Stick Flex (stiffness) is affected by stick length Receiving passes - sitting flat on the ice (see Crosby) Your reach - some players need all the reach we can get! How does it affect my stick?

If its too tall you may find that your smashing and wearing the heel out of your stick. TIP - If you play ball hockey you will be able to tell wear pattern pretty easily, if one part of the stick is wearing much quicker than the other, you need to adjust your stick height and lie.

What are the General Guidelines?

Jeremy Rupke of How to Hockey explains the guidelines. Standing straight up looking forward with the stick in front of the body (tip of the stick’s toe on the ground) the stick should be between your chin and your nose. When on skates it should be up to around your chin.

What type of player would want to use a shorter/longer stick?

Short Hockey Stick

“The Dangler” – Hockey players who are good at stick handling tend to prefer shorter sticks. Using a short stick makes it a bit easier to move the puck around because the stick will be lighter (less material) and a shorter stick is easier to move around the body. Many players who are good at stick handling tend to bring the puck in close to their body in order to protect the puck while pulling a deke. A short stick makes it easier to perform these moves.

Average Hockey Stick

“The Grinder” - Grinders like to get in the corners, dig for pucks, and cause trouble in front of the net. With an average length stick you can still easily handle the puck, and also make poke checks, intercept passes, and hammer off a slapshot.

Long Hockey Stick

“The Defensemen” – It is common for defensemen to have the longest sticks on the team. A long hockey stick gives you a longer reach, which makes it easier for you to poke the puck away from attackers, intercept passes, and stop a puck before it leaves the offensive zone. Defensemen are also known to have hard slapshots, and a longer stick (with the right technique) will provide more power on the slapshots.

Disclaimer... while the above points are common in hockey, that does not mean they are absolute truths. Some defensemen use short sticks, while some hockey players who are great with the puck use a longer stick (Marty St. Louis). These tips should help beginner players find a length to start at, but don’t be afraid to try something new!

Where does personal preference come into play?

Personal preference is super important! Make sure to ask the question “Does it feel good in my hands?” That being said the typical guidelines are there for a reason, and unless you’re playing at an elite level it’s unlikely that you’re helping your game much by using an unusually short or long stick.

Experienced players know the exact length they like and are thrown off by change .... Gretzky used a short stick ... Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights uses a longer stick (65” shaft) and consistently ranks Top 10 in the league in takeaways as a result. He also uses a crazy big knob on his stick, but that is another story in itself.

What are common mistakes that people make with the length of their stick?

When buying an expensive stick players and parents are often nervous about the player outgrowing the stick and therefore sometimes tend to leave it too long

Solution – cut it to the correct length and use a plug/extension when or if the player sprouts up. And unfortunately just because the stick cost $300 bucks doesn’t mean it’s going to last. In fact, the new sticks seem to break even easier than in the past. Fortunately, we offer sticks at low prices to help alleviate the pain a little bit when a stick breaks or is outgrown.

A young kid gets a stick that was broken up high from a Pro/Junior/etc. and he/she cant flex the thing.

Solution – Either hang it up in the Den or use if for ball hockey and go buy one that is the right size!

The player gets a little more zip on his slapshot in practice and is now using the stick in games

Solution – Fair enough, but the slapshot is most effective when you can get it off quickly and hit the net/get it through traffic. Therefore, there is a good chance you are sacrificing a big part of your game (puck control) for what is likely a small benefit.

Looking for a longer hockey stick? Because we source all of our hockey sticks direct from pro, college and junior teams, a lot of our sticks are extended height. You can find some of our extended height (63” and above) on our website.

We measure all of our sticks standing flat against the ground. Until next time........keep your stick on the ice!

Back on the Ice BELLEVILLE JUNIOR BULLS

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

volunteers in all minor sports. They bring great attitudes towards fun, development and competitive play for all skill levels. Coaching Minor hockey at all levels is very rewarding. House league coaches have to deal with all kinds of experience and skill levels. We appreciate the coaches who step up at this level, knowing that not only will they be developing players by preparing some to move on to the next level and by teaching others the game of hockey for the first time.”

Some house league players have a high skill level, but are unable or don’t want to play rep hockey. For those players, select hockey is available for players and coaches who are interested. Select hockey enables associations to form a competitive team from house league players that play in three extra games per month and up to three tournaments each season.

While the start of another season certainly brings a heightened level of excitement, Belleville Jr. Bulls president Jill Bain says minor hockey really is enjoyable all the time.

Regular season, tournaments and playoffs, it’s all great, she noted, but agrees this is a great time of year for everyone associated with Belleville Minor Hockey.

“The start of the house league season and the representative tryout process always comes with a different level of excitement. The last two seasons have been difficult working around the COVID pandemic,” Bain remarked.

“We are very proud of the programming we were able to offer during the last two seasons. We have to mention our players and their families, coaches, officials, staff and volunteers and thank them for their hard work, patience and understanding. A lot of the restrictions and programming that we were able to offer were beyond our control.

Our relationship with the City of Belleville was key. Both parties worked hard to ensure there was minor hockey at some level available to all who wanted to play. We can’t wait to play an uninterrupted season.”

Belleville Minor Hockey is offering ‘AA’ and ‘A’ rep hockey this season to players from U10 to U18, which compete in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association’s Lakeshore League against opponents from Ajax/ Pickering, Clarington, Kingston, North Durham, Northumberland, Oshawa, Peterborough, Quinte West and Whitby during league play.

In recent seasons, the Jr. Bulls have had multiple OMHA finalists and in 2019-20 had an OMHA championship-winning team. Last season, which had a new playoff format introduced, four Belleville teams qualified for the OMHA tournament.

“This season we will introduce some new, exciting development programs,” Bain said. “This is a long-term vision for the association, but we are anticipating results for both our rep and house league clubs and individual players at all levels this season. We are excited to see our players and coaches thrive moving forward, under what our Board of Directors feel is a quality development plan.”

Rep team tryouts are underway for the Jr. Bulls teams.

For house league play, registration remains open until the age divisions fill up. This season it’s hoped that the U18 house league division can be reintroduced.

“House League hockey is such a great experience,” Bain said. “Our house league has a great schedule, helping families plan for the whole season. We feel our house league coaches are some of the finest

Belleville Minor Hockey utilizes every ice pad at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre for games and practices as well as ice at World Elite Development Centre and, when needed, in other communities like Quinte West, Deseronto and Tweed.

It’s no surprise to see rinks buzzing for the Jr. Bulls, especially when the organization hosts tournaments.

This season, Belleville Minor Hockey is excited to be partnered with Relm Sports to host two tournaments. The first was the U14-U18 ‘AA’ Pre-Season Tilt from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 followed by the U10-U13 ‘AA’ and ‘A’ Mid-Season Tilt from Nov. 4 to 6.

“Tournaments are so important to all associations,” Bain said. “It is very exciting to be able to host these events, to showcase our clubs, our facility and our city. Tournaments fill the building, they create a great minor hockey experience for players, coaches, officials and their families.”

Bain said Belleville Minor Hockey has gone through some muchneeded changes in recent years, though noted the pandemic slowed the process and more work needs to be done.

“We believe in the vision of our staff and board of directors. We want to help grow our sport at all levels,” she said. “One of our goals is to become the first choice for players, coaches and officials of all skill levels. A strong House League is the start and will improve our rep programming at the same time. We also are partnered with the NHL/ NHLPA to offer First Shift program for those new to hockey of 6 to 10 years of age but need a little more time to adjust and learn the game and basic skills. We are excited for all of our programming.”

To Help Fund Local Kids & Teams TOTAL SPORTS YOUTH FUND

By Total Sports Quinte

Sports are not cheap. At a minimum, families will spend $1,000 annually per child on sports. That $1,000 gets your child into introductory or recreational leagues and activities. What if your child is very talented or exceptional when playing at these recreational levels, what’s next?

Well, that next level may shock those of you that are not involved directly in elite youth sports. Hockey families can spend anywhere between $4,000 and $12,000 annually in the Quinte area per child to play rep hockey. Other rep sports have complicated situations. Some sports require large amounts of travel or athletes must train remotely. Because of these costs it is a fact that some of our best athletes never get a chance to develop or to maximize their potential due to geographical and socio-economic reasons. It’s a problem that isn’t addressed effectively in our region. Some organizations have benevolent funds available, but the process can be awkward and lack the privacy required for some families to feel comfortable enough to engage in the process.

Some large corporations have started athletic support funds, but these organizations have their own difficulties due to the scope and size of the offering. Quinte needs its own answer. Young families may need help getting young people engaged in sports. Other families may need help getting support to help their gifted athlete. All these young people deserve the chance to play.

The community needs these athletes to succeed as well. Sports promotes a healthy lifestyle, which in turn means a healthier community going forward. Secondly, kids in sports are more likely to find a purpose and focus to keep them on a proactive and healthy path forward. Sports teach kids important values of commitment, work ethic, teamwork and integrity. If we invest in kids our community will be better for it.

Total Sports has stepped up to support this initiative with the creation of the Total Sports Youth Fund (TSYF) is a not-for-profit corporation created by Total Sports to assist Eastern Ontario athletes and families to reduce the costs of youth sports.

As the fund grows and develops the hope is to not only help athletes and families, but eventually contribute to capital projects to increase opportunities for all sports in our area. “Sometimes our area becomes hyper focused on hockey, which is natural because of the passion for it in our area,” said Randy Uens, one of the Directors of the new non profit. Uens went on to say, “As a community we need to support all sports and all athletes. Too many great athletes that we see in schools at a young age never get a change to maximize their talents because of economic reasons Total Sports Youth Fund hopes to fix that problem.“

A group of independent directors have been established to guarantee a transparent and efficient non profit board as well as an infrastructure that will ensure privacy and confidentiality for the families.” It is important that the community has insight into where the funds are going but it is also important to support these families in a very secure way. We will be sure to maintain that balance.” Uens said.

Initial fundraising will be accomplished via a large regional 50/50 draw. Tickets will be sold at local participating retailers and through local sports organizations. These local sports organizations can also benefit within the fundraising structure as they will receive support in exchange for helping sell tickets for the fund.

If you are a local sports group looking for a great community initiative to participate in as well as a fundraiser for your group, please get in touch with Total Sports Youth Fund. Call Kelly Martin at 905-914-7454 or email boqtotalsports@gmail.com

Draws are anticipated to begin in the New Year. Funds will begin to be distributed to families and individuals sometime in the spring/Summer pending the success of the rollout of the 50/50 draws. Stay tuned to Total Sports quinte in the coming weeks to find out how you can buy tickets, volunteer with the organization or to access funds for your young athlete.

Total

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Service has been the hallmark of her success, so you can be confident knowing that she works for you!

In today’s competitive Real Estate market, timing and knowledge is everything and it’s important to work with someone who has your best interests at heart. When you make the important decision to buy or sell a home, contact Christine directly by email or phone!

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A Community Affair in Prince Edward County COUNTY KINGS MINOR HOCKEY

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

Prince Edward County Minor Hockey is about communities coming together. Local arenas are the meeting place.

In fact, that’s how the association was started as a result of amalgamation between the former Picton Minor Hockey Association and Wellington Minor Hockey Association for the 1990-91 season. Both organizations had less than 350 active players by the late 1980’s. Three years following the merger, the number of players had grown above 550.

Players are getting set for the 2022-23 season at Lehigh Arena in Wellington and the Prince Edward Community Centre in Picton.

“We are very excited to hopefully have a more normal hockey season here,” said PECMHA president Heather Zantingh. “We have started tryouts for rep hockey and dust off the rust skates for local league players.”

Rep tryouts began in early September for some Prince Edward County Kings teams and concluded late in the month. The Kings compete in the OMHA’s Eastern Ontario Minor Hockey League at the U11, U13, U15 and U18 age levels.

In 2020, the Kings won the Ontario Minor Hockey Association U15 ‘B’ championship as COVID-19 was emerging and the following season was disrupted.

Three teams (U11, U15 and U18) from Prince Edward County advanced to last year’s new OMHA Championship Weekend with the U18 group playing its way into the semifinals. The Kings teams are looking forward to another successful season.

House league, known as Local League, has registration open until Oct. 1. from under-7 to under-18. Check out MHA Registration Page (hockeycanada.ca)

Local League teams in the County compete against Stirling, Deseronto, Napanee, Gananoque and Loyalist.

“Local League teams practice and play in what we have named ICHL (Inter-Community Hockey League) to give them more exposure to other teams and make it more fun for all our players by doing some travelling,” Zantingh said, adding that a lot of the coaches enter their team into at least one tournament during the season.

PECMHA hosts tournaments of its own as well, starting the 11th annual Prince Edward County Milk Tournament, sponsored by Recharge with Milk, from Oct. 28 to 30.

All divisions are full as the tournament was offered to teams from U11 to U18 and in the rep categories of BB, B, CC, C, DD and D.

“There will be some great hockey from players U11 to U18,” Zantingh

said. “It takes great volunteers to make this event and we are very grateful to the milk producers for sponsoring us for the 11th year.”

Sponsors are so key for organizations to run. For instance there’s the atomMC divisions sponsored by McDonalds.

Of course, has Tim Hortons has been a longtime sponsor of the U7 players, known as Timbits.

“We are committed to making a meaningful difference in our communities. This is includes our Timbits Hockey program that has been running for over 30 years now,” said Paul Massey, owner of Tim Hortons restaurants in Picton and Wellington.

“More than 96,000 players participated last season, with over 2,100 right here in the Quinte and Northumberland region alone. As the hockey season kicks off, we’re on track to surpass that number already!”

Zantingh added “we are lucky in the County to have great sponsors for all our divisions.”

She also lauded the work of all volunteers from executive members to coaches, bench staff and more “that work endless hours to make our season great.” She noted the popular U5 – Intro to Hockey program that fills up fast each year and is run by Darren and Debbie Yuill.

“They are amazing volunteers who have run this program for so many years for us,” Zantingh remarked. “We could not do it without them and they have started so many young players into hockey.”

QUINTE MINOR GOLDEN HAWKS Soaring Once Again

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

Members of the Quinte West Minor Hockey Association welcome a return to normalcy, but they’re not satisfied with the status quo.

They’re stepping up the competition.

There are eight Golden Hawks rep teams from U10 to U18, plus a U9 development team, in the Quinte West organization, which is considered an ‘A’ centre. The U13 team has played at the higher ‘AA’ level the past couple of seasons and now the U11 and U12 Golden Hawks are joining them as well.

“Eventually likely we’ll move to be a double-A centre totally...but we’ve been pretty strong in those younger age groups so we’ve decided for them to all move up to the double-A level this year and see what kind of success they have,” said Quinte West Minor Hockey president Mike Boates, noting there’s been strong development of players in the organization. “Really, to be honest, in Ontario there’s us and Grimsby are the only true ‘A’ centres left so those would be centres where ‘A’ is your top team,” Boates added. “A lot of other centres have triple-A and double-A and then an ‘A’ team after that. It likely won’t be long until we’re probably going to be a ‘AA’ centre anyway so it’s nice to get the younger kids involved at that level now so they’re not getting dumped in there at U15, U16 when they’re introducing contact and the game speeds up enough on its own without moving up a level.”

Boates said registration numbers were down last year, but the organization is seeing a return to the number of players involved before the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. House league hockey is shaping up to be strong again and grading to form the teams was taking place as this story was published.

“There’s usually between 30 and 40 house league teams we have in Quinte West so it will be another strong year this year from under-7 right through to under-21 so really 5-6 years old right up to 20.,” Boates said.

“Always a good success between the season and there is a couple house league tournaments.”

Quinte West Minor Hockey will once again run its Highway of Heroes Tournament during the Christmas break and the Snowball Express Tournament during the March Break.

Due to uncertainty last fall leading up to more minor hockey shutdowns in December and January, the Highway of Heroes Tournament was cancelled in 2021. The organization was able to go ahead with its Snowball Express in March. “The plan is to go full steam ahead on both tournaments this year,” Boates said. “The City helps us out with some ice there. It not only makes some money for our organization, but it brings a lot of money into the community as well.”

In the meantime, rep teams are starting their Ontario Minor Hockey Association Lakeshore League seasons with house league to come shortly. Boates said it’s also great to get young kids introduced to the sport through the Jr. Macs program.

Also, the organization has been able to offer the First Shift program for about the past four years. The program gives children the opportunity to try the sport through development sessions and get outfitted with the necessary equipment, all for a reasonable cost.

When the program ends, players can transition into the house league system if you they choose or perhaps wait until the next year. The First Shift program fills up fast, as it did this year. Watch for announcements from the Quinte West organization around June or July, Boates noted.

Boates is looking forward to an exciting year in Quinte West. “Really just excited to get back to more of a normal season,” he said. “I’m glad to see the numbers back up to where they were and getting as many kids in as we can.”

Former Coach to Lead New Players TRENTON GOLDEN HAWKS

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

A new Ontario Junior Hockey League season began with a balance of new and returning players for the Trenton Golden Hawks.

There’s also a new coach and general manager, but one very familiar to Golden Hawks fans as Jerome Dupont returned to those roles with the organization.

“It’s exciting, no doubt about that. I love the community, ownership and management is fantastic, so many good people in the organization, so it wasn’t a difficult decision,” said Dupont, who had been in the role of director of hockey operations before replacing Peter Goulet. “We’re looking forward to what’s ahead.”

Dupont likes his roster, but said there’s still work to be done

“I think it’s a good group,” he said. “I think there’s good chemistry, we’re bigger, we’re stronger, we’re tougher.”

Whether there is enough high-end skill up front is still to be determined, he noted. After all, it’s not easy to replace offence from guys like Dalton Bancroft (37 goals, 55 assists), Jake Campbell (31 goals, 33 assists) and Aiden MacIntosh (22 goals, 30 assists).

“Our strength is our defence,” Dupont remarked, referring to the group led by returnees Nathan Oickle, Austin D’Orazio, Lucas Robinson, Sami Douglas-Najem and newcomer Jaden Raad. “Our goaltending is solid with (Ethan) Fraser and (Luka) Dobrich. I think it will make for a good start.”

Other key returning players up front include Matthew Cato, Jordan Fuller and Stephen McDonald. The Golden Hawks also brought back former players Jake Laville from the Collingwood Blues and Sam Williamson from the St. Catharines Falcons.

“They were with the team at the beginning of the year (2021-22) when it was No. 1 in the country,” Dupont said, adding he’s pleased by the group of returning players to the lineup.

“They’re all very good players,” he said. One new player, who Dupont previously coached in Cobourg, made a strong impression right away. Mitch Lafay was acquired in the offseason and was named the new captain of the Golden Hawks.

“It’s always difficult to make choices right and there’s lots of good leaders, some guys that didn’t even get letters,” Dupont said. “Mitch is a really mature young man whose got good values and is really motivated and who I think is going to be a difference maker. I think he’s capable of great things at both ends of the ice. He’s a very responsible two-way player and he’ll lead by example, but then he’ll also lead in the room with his maturity and vocally.”

Other new players include forward Nate Burelle, who was one of the top offensive contributors for the Lindsay Muskies last season as well as Raad on defence who had a strong Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League season last year with the Hearst Lumberjacks. In net, Fraser who is from Belleville had a strong OJHL campaign last season for the Muskies.

“We saw a lot of him last year shutting the door for Lindsay and it’s safe to say opponents had a fair amount of quality shots against him and he still managed to have real good stats,” Dupont said.

Dobrich played last season with the Chatham Maroons of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

“They had a great year,” Dupont said. “His stats reflect some real good play and I’ve watched him play as well.

“At the end of the day there’s some fresh blood and good new players.” Dupont added that it’s great to have the OJHL return to a traditional regular season schedule with the opportunity for the Golden Hawks to play every team in the league again.

“It’s fun to play teams you don’t see too often,” he said. “You have to figure it out real quick. You don’t have three games to figure out how another team plays.”

GOLDEN HAWKS 2022-23 REMAINING HOME GAMES

Sunday, Oct. 16: Stouffville at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23: Lindsay at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28: North York at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30: Burlington at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4: Toronto Patriots at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6: Collingwood at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11: Caledon at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18: Wellington at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25: Cobourg at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27: Mississauga at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2: Toronto Patriots at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4: Mississauga at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9: Haliburton at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18: Wellington at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15: Aurora at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29: Lindsay at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3: Toronto Jr. Canadiens at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24: Cobourg at Trenton, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26: Wellington at Trenton, 7:30 p.m.

Photo by Amy Deroche OJHL Images

QUINTE DAY RETURNS For Quinte Red Devils

By: Jeff Gard Total Sports Quinte

The Quinte Red Devils AAA Hockey Club is one of the top in the province at the triple-A level.

It’s a testament to the strength of minor hockey in the region and the development of players who are willing to put in the time and effort required to play in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association’s Eastern Triple-A loop.

“It’s amazing what the players now at all age groups can do,” said Red Devils president Tyler Longo. “They challenge themselves every single day as far as getting outside their comfort zone and the training they do on and off the ice. It shows because the things these kids are doing at say 12 years old and 18 years old are things you don’t remember seeing kids do at such a young age.”

To be competitive takes buy-in from not only the players, but families as well due to the time commitment and travel for games and practices. On top of that, the Red Devils organization provides development nights for players as well.

Older groups will be on ice with Belleville Senators assistant coaches Ben Sexton and David Bell, and head coach Troy Mann when he can attend, as well as Chris Longo, assistant coach with the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs.

Younger players have the opportunity to work with Sexton, Longo and Wellington Dukes head coach Derek Smith.

“They’re getting some awesome instruction from really high-end coaches,” Tyler Longo said. “We’re certainly lucky to get those guys to help out every year with our development program.”

As the Red Devils team return to their most normal season in a few years, a big event is returning for the organization as well. The Red Devils will host Quinte Day at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre on Saturday, Nov. 19 with the teams facing off against their respective Peterborough Petes AAA counterparts.

“That was also a real big event for us because we don’t always get all teams playing, number one on the same day, but also in the same rink on the same day,” Longo said, noting the U18 Red Devils will take on Peterborough in CAA Arena, home of the Senators. “They’re going to do the whole presentation like they would for the Sens, so a pretty cool experience for kids who are in their last year of triple-A.”

All players, families and sponsors will also get to attend that evening’s American Hockey League game between the Senators and Syracuse Crunch.

“We haven’t had that in a few years and we’re excited to get it back again,” Longo said of Quinte Day. Longo anticipates another season of success for Red Devils teams.

“I know our U10 team with Geordie Nelson as the coach will be a strong group. They won the ETA championship (as U9s) last year. There’s no OMHAs at that age group.”

The U11 Red Devils this year are coached by former Belleville Bull Andrew Brown.

“They participated in the OMHAs up in Oakville so that will be a strong group as well,” Longo said. “Andrew’s made a few changes and the

team seems to be off to a great start already. He’s got a nice group of players there.”

Quinte’s U12s, which won the OMHA championship last year as U11s, are coached this year by Jeanna Oke.

“They’re a team that is a lot of fun to watch, a lot of real skilled players up front and on the back end,” Longo said.

They’ve already had success this year at early season tournament in Oakville, defeating strong opponents like the Marlies from Toronto and host Oakville club.

“Always expect big things from that group,” Longo said. “They’re very talented.”

The U13 Red Devils have a new coach this year in Carey Durant who brings 20 or more years of minor hockey coaching experience.

“They’ve got a ton of talent as well,” Longo said. “We’re expecting big things from that group.”

Jeff Culhane who coached the U18 group last year is now with the U14 Red Devils, Longo noted.

“They’re always right up there in the top three teams of the ETA.”

Tyler Green is coaching the U15 Red Devils team, which Longo expects to be strong. They’ve had some early tournament success as well.

Meanwhile, the U16 Red Devils, which are in their OHL draft year, will be led by head coach Kenny Chesher along with Jeff Smith and Brock Tufts.

“They do a great job with that U16 program,” Longo said. “They play in a very good division. At that age group there really isn’t too many weak teams. They’ll be competitive and fun to watch go through the minor midget year and all the fun tournaments they’ll get to participate in.” Todd Reid is on board to coach the U18 Red Devils, which won’t have many returning players from last year.

“Todd usually puts a pretty competitive team together whether he’s a junior coach or a minor hockey coach. They’ll be fun to watch.”

Longo added “all in all I think it will be a very successful year again” for the Red Devils teams.

QUINTE DAY

• 12:30

• 1:00 p.m.

Peterborough

• 1:25 p.m.

• 2:00 p.m.

Red Devils

Red Devils

Peterborough (Family Dental Centre Pad)

• 2:00 p.m.

Peterborough

Red Devils

Pad)

NOV 19TH

U15 Red Devils vs Peterborough (Mackay Insurance Pad)

• 2:55 p.m. – U12 Red Devils vs Peterborough (Family Dental Centre)

• 4:00 p.m. – U16 Red Devils vs Peterborough (Mackay Insurance Pad)

• 4:15 p.m. – U13 Red Devils vs Peterborough (Family Dental Centre)

A Big Family in the County WELLINGTON DUKES

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

Another season of Ontario Junior Hockey League action is underway for the Wellington Dukes.

Even better, it resembles a traditional campaign. The Dukes will play every team in the league, not just within the South-East Conference like last year. In addition, the playoffs will return to a 1-8 conference format and best-of-seven series as opposed to last season when the top four teams in each division advanced to the postseason and only the Buckland Cup championship series was a traditional best-of-seven showdown.

Now, what’s old is new again for the 2022-23 OJHL season.

“The beginning of the season is always a bit of a feeling out process, but I think the league is going to be a lot deeper this year. I feel like last year coming out of COVID a lot of teams used it to compete, but a little bit of a development year as well,” said Dukes head coach and general manager Derek Smith. “Now I think there’s going to be a lot more parity in the league.”

Wellington will return with a revamped roster following the departures of captain and last year’s OJHL top goal scorer Emmet Pierce, Jonathan Balah (who Smith considered to be the best defenceman in the league last season and the best blueliner to play in Wellington in a long time), Harrison Ballard, Barret Joynt, Cole McGuire, goaltender Matt Dunsmoor and more. Ethan Quick is with the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s.

Smith is looking ahead and pleased with a strong group of returning players, including forwards like Jacob Vreugdenhil, David Campbell, Corbin Roach, Will Mitchell and Jaxen Boyer as well as defenceman Jacob Dietz, Creo Solomon, Alex Case and Erik MacNeil and goaltender Ethan Morrow.

New additions include goaltender Jacob Osborne from Westminster Prep school, Jacob Julien (acquired in a recent trade from the Trenton Golden Hawks), Belleville native Nate Woods who played last season for the Pittsburgh Vengeance U18 AAA team, as as well as Edward Moskowitz, Graeme MacAuley, Zander Latrielle, Connor Paronuzzi, Jared Langdon from last year’s Quinte Red Devils U16 AAA team, and Wellington’s own Cole Lavender, who played the past two seasons for the junior C Picton Pirates.

“We haven’t had a Wellington player in quite some time. He’s put the work in the last couple years and had a great summer and we’re excited to see what he can do with the Dukes this year,” said Smith, adding all the new recruits are bolstering the organization by pushing each other and the veteran players. “We’re excited about the group we have.”

Smith has plenty of confidence in his new goalie tandem of Morrow and Osborne.

Morrow, whose rookie campaign two years ago was limited to development and exhibition games due to the league shutdown, played 27 games last season for the Dukes, posting an 18-7-0 record with a 2.47 goals-against average and .916 save percentage. He stepped up big in December when Dunsmoor got injured and continued to provide stellar netminding in the new year.

“After Christmas he was lights out and one of the better goalies in the league and his numbers reflected that,” Smith said. “He had a good summer and we’re fortunate to have him back. He’s just hopefully going to be a rock for us just as Jacob Osborne will be as well and hopefully

Photo by Devin Doucette / OJHL Images

they can push each other and both give us a chance to win any night.” Osborne caught the eye of the Wellington brass two years ago when he attended their development camp. At the time, he opted to return to Westminster Prep, but remained in contact with the Dukes.

“We’re lucky that he decided to come to us mid-summer,” Smith said. “He’s a big, strong kid, very athletic, very sound. He seems like a great teammate, the guys love having him around. He was exceptional in the training camp and the exhibition season. He’s going to be a big part of this team as well.”

Smith was pleased to announce in early September that Dukes veteran Jacob Vreugdenhil is the club’s new captain as he enters his fifth OJHL season.

“(Jacob) came in as a 16-year-old with a lot of potential,” Smith said. “He skated well, had a good shot, he read plays and he worked hard, but over the years he’s really grown into a young man who’s a beast in the gym. In practice he’s always the hardest-working guy, he’s always putting in the extra work and obviously with the season he had last year centring I think one of the top couple lines in the OJ, the big minutes he plays and special teams, killing penalties and winning faceoffs. He had a great summer and looks ready to not only be our captain and leader, but one of the better players in the league and hopefully lead us to the Buckland Cup.”

Vreugdenhil is excited to follow in the footsteps of former Dukes captains like those he played with including mentioning Pierce, Ben Evans, Ryan Smith and Tim Fallowfield.

“It’s an honour to be the captain of such a great organization,” Vreugdenhil said. “I can’t wait to get started this year.”

Vreugdenhil played seven years of AAA hockey with the Red Devils before making the jump to junior A hockey in Wellington.

“They took me and it’s kind of like a big family in the County here,” he remarked. “It’s a great atmosphere in the rink every day. We do whatever we can to win and we’ve had successful teams in the past.”

Vreugdenhil doesn’t consider himself to be a vocal leader, though others can assume that role.

“I show it on the ice more,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I’m the loudest guy, but lead by example.”

This season the OJHL is returning to its traditional format as all teams will meet during the regular season rather just within their respective conferences. Also, the playoffs will return to an eight-team seeded format for each conference. Last year the top four teams in each division earned a playoff berth.

“It’s definitely exciting this year to open up the schedule to the way it was a few years ago that we get to go to all the rinks and play every team in the league,” Smith said. “It’s special for guys that are from out of area that get to go home and maybe play against a team they grew up watching.”

Vreugdenhil said his teammates are ready to start playing meaningful games.

“We’ve been here for awhile

now, camp’s been long and everyone’s just really excited to get the regular season going and hopefully go on a big run this year.”

DUKES SUPPORT COMMUNITY - Once again this season, the Dukes will support the local community.

Confirmed charity nights include: Sept. 9 - Airforce City Pipe Band; Friday, Oct. 7 – OPP Keep Kids Warm (coats for kids, free admission for 18-and-under with donation); Friday, Oct. 14 – Heal With Horses; Sunday, Oct. 16 – Highland Shores Children’s Aid Wear Purple Day; Friday, Oct. 21 – Prince Edward County Kings; Sunday, Nov. 20 –Storehouse Foodbank Food Drive; Friday, Nov. 25 – Community Living PEC; Friday, Dec. 2 – Hospice PEC; Friday Jan. 6 - The HUB’ Sunday, Jan. 15 – Reaching for Rainbows; Friday, Jan. 20 – PEC Hospital Foundation; Friday Jan. 27 - 99.3 County FM; Friday, Feb. 3 – Storehouse Foodbank Food Drive; Friday, Feb. 17 – Tim Hortons Camp.

SEASON-LONG GIVEAWAY RETURNS

Sponsored by Quinte Smart Homes and Christine Rutter – Exit Realty Group, the Dukes season-long giveaway has returned this season. There are weekly prizes as the club’s home games in Wellington with a grand prize to be drawn at the final regular season home game on March 3. The contest keeps growing progressively so fans are encouraged to enter each week to increase their chances of winning. The grand prize was already around $500 and growing early in the season and includes a Sonos One Voice Controlled Smart Speaker from Quinte Smart Homes, a $100 gift card from the Boathouse Seafood Restaurant in Belleville and a $100 gift card from Midtown Brewing Company in Wellington.

Keep visiting the Dukes contest page at wellingtondukes. pointstreaksites.com for updates on prizes and winners. Scan the QR code with your phone camera to enter each week.

DUKES 2022-23 REMAINING HOME GAMES

Fri, Oct. 14: Haliburton at Wellington, 7:30 p.m.

Sun, Oct. 16: St. Michael’s at Wellington, 2:30 p.m.

Fri, Oct. 21: Trenton at Wellington, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Nov. 4: North York at Wellington, 7:30 p.m.

Sun, Nov. 6: Mississauga at Wellington, 2:30 p.m.

Fri, Nov. 11: Collingwood at Wellington, 7:30 p.m.

Sun, Nov. 20: Lindsay at Wellington, 2:30 p.m.

Fri, Nov. 25: North York at Wellington, 7:30 p.m. Fri, Dec. 2: Stouffville at Wellington, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Dec. 9: Toronto Jr. Canadiens at Wellington, 7:30 p.m. Tue, Dec. 20: Markham at Wellington, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Jan. 6: Toronto Patriots at Wellington, 7:30 p.m.

Thur, Jan. 12: Toronto Jr. Canadiens at Wellington, 7:30 p.m. Sun, Jan. 15: Haliburton at Wellington, 2:30 p.m. Fri, Jan. 20: Cobourg at Wellington, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Jan. 27: Mississauga at Wellington, 7:30 p.m. Fri, Feb. 3: Haliburton at Wellington, 7:30 p.m. Fri, Feb.10: Trenton at Wellington, 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Feb. 17: Cobourg at Wellington, 7:30 p.m. Sun, Feb. 19: Caledon at Wellington, 2:30 p.m. Fri, March 3: Lindsay at Wellington, 7:30 p.m.

clubs,

retail drug

Revamp Roster for Second Season FRANKFORD HUSKIES

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

As expected, the inaugural Provincial Junior Hockey League season was a building process for the new junior C Frankford Huskies franchise.

They won just once in 30 regular season games last year, but there was a process to players learning the systems and working on skill development.

“It just took some time to get our structure into place and with so many bodies in and out of the lineup early it just took some consistency within the group and just that time to really develop some team cohesiveness to get us moving in the right direction,” said Huskies head coach Patrick Shearer.

Their persistence paid off and the Huskies gained some valuable playoff experience as all six teams in the PJHL’s Tod Division advanced to the postseason.

Frankford opened the first round with a surprise 4-3 victory over the Picton Pirates before losing the next four. Still, that win was a big deal to the organization and its fans.

“It was pretty exciting and it was neat because what happened was Game 2 in Frankford, all of a sudden it’s a pretty packed arena and it got the community talking,” Shearer said, referring to the fact the two home games at Frankford Arena attracted 350 spectators for each. “Our guys started to believe in themselves. Obviously it didn’t go our way the next four games, but that belief definitely carried over into their play where we were competitive every night.”

That first season provided more positives than negatives and made Frankford an intriguing place to play for both potential returning players and others outside the organization.

“Every single guy wanted to come back, which was huge for me. After a 1 and 29 season for every guy to want to come back to the team it says a lot about what we did last year,” Shearer remarked. “Obviously (the inaugural season) presented some challenges and the standings showed those challenges, but ultimately our players had a ton of fun. We provided a great experience for the players and because of that we had quite a few guys who wanted to come play for the Frankford Huskies.”

Returning players this season include captain Carter Musclow (Stirling), Curtis Dicks (Belmont), Dylan Foster (Trenton), Phoenix Smith (Marmora), Tyler Sawkins (Madoc) and goaltender Hayden Candler (Bowmanville).

A significant group of new players have been added to the roster. The Huskies acquired four forwards from the North Kawartha Knights, including Heiden and Karsten Leonard of Madoc, Jacob Tinney from Colborne and Julian Masters of Campbellford.

They also traded for Frankford’s Brayden Adams from the Pirates and Stirling’s Blake Ellis from the Napanee Raiders.

Other new additions include Mike Dolton (Trenton), Jakob Gardner (Carrying Place) and Maguire Slone (Trenton) from Quinte West Minor Hockey, Frankford’s Parker Stewart who played last season for the Peterborough Petes U18 AAA team, Consecon’s Riley Grimmon from Prince Edward County Minor Hockey and Peterborough’s Matt Hinan and Stirling’s Matt Musclow and Bryson Sills from Stirling Minor Hockey. “We’re looking much better this year,” Shearer said. “Things are shaping up quite nicely here.

“Everyone’s really excited. With all the new bodies we’re going to be very competitive this year. We see ourselves as a team that’s going to compete every night with the opportunity to win every night. We’re excited for the second season.”

Shearer said the players, coaches and everyone in the organization appreciate the support from the community of Frankford.

“We had great attendance almost every night. There was usually 150plus people in our arena. Some of the bigger games we were in the neighbourhood of 300 fans, which was nice to see a community still supporting a team that maybe wasn’t successful in the win column, but they were still coming out and supporting a team that was working extremely hard to provide a pretty good product in Frankford,” he said.

“We’re hoping with quite a better hockey team and winning more this season that we’ll only see that attendance grow and the team support grow as well.”

HUSKIES 2022-23 REMAINING HOME GAMES

Saturday, Oct. 15, Amherstview at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 17, Port Hope at Frankford, 6:50 p.m. (Madoc Arena)

Monday, Oct. 24, Campbellford at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 5, Port Hope at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 19, Amherstview at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 28, Campbellford at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10, Picton at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 17, Amherstview at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 21, Napanee at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 28, Campbellford at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 4, Port Hope at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 11, Campbellford at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 14, Picton at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 18, Picton at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 25, Napanee at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Saturday, March 4, Napanee at Frankford, 6:50 p.m.

Photo by Deroche Sports Photography

HOCKEY ROAD TRIP

Aim to Win with Development-First Approach PICTON PIRATES

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

This year’s Provincial Junior Hockey League season has the Picton Pirates steering in the right direction.

A year earlier, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the franchise when Jason Parks stepped in as general manager and hired Kyle Hawkins-Schulz as the club’s new coach during the off-season.

“Last year we sort of took it on as trying to save the franchise because it was a couple weeks away from packing up and leaving town,” Parks recalled. “The executive’s back with a little more energy this year. Without COVID restrictions it’s going to be easier for people to get to the rink and come see games.”

Now with last season behind them – which was a successful one considering the early challenges – and the franchise more stable, Parks and Hawkins-Schulz can put more of their own stamp on the team.

Some key players are gone, including Devin Morrison, Nate Boomhower, Noah Brant, Derrick Vos, Cole Lavender and goaltender Nolan Lane.

“I think overall we want to go a little bit younger this year and really try to make our own imprint on the team and the organization,” Parks said.

That said, the Pirates will certainly be relying on the skill and leadership of veterans like new captain Landon McLellan as well as Jack Dow and defenceman Hunter Matthysse.

Parks said it’s important the development of players continues to be a key priority for the organization. Lane, who signed with Fort Erie of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, is a great example.

“We’re over the moon because as much as we’re challenging for Schmalz Cups and division championships, we’re still going at this as a development-first type team so for a kid that never played triple-A coming up and played for the County Kings and then was our rookie of the year here posting 11 wins to make the jump to junior B is pretty significant,” Parks said. “It just cements the attitude we have here about developing guys.”

Picton will have a new goalie tandem this season consisting of Belleville’s Brady Spry and Trenton’s Brock Sallans.

“Brady Spry has the tools to be one of the best goalies in the division and we’re excited to have him. He came to us through the connection we have with the Wellington Dukes and Brady will be an option as an affiliate player should any of Wellington’s goalies go down with an injury,” Parks said. “Brock Sallans hasn’t played in a awhile, but was part of some great Quinte West Golden Hawks minor teams and we’re hopeful to see if he can regain that form.”

Meanwhile, the Pirates acquired defenceman Rheydan McCoy from the Napanee Raiders. He brings the experience of winning the PJHL’s Tod Division title with the Raiders last season and certainly fills a void on the Picton blueline.

“With the graduation of Cole Lavender to the Wellington Dukes, we needed to pick up a left-handed shooting defenceman that could fit in the top four immediately and Rheydan McCoy fits that bill and more,” Parks said. “His skating is amongst the best in the Tod and he can log minutes immediately in Picton, something he was not going to be able to do in Napanee.”

Parks said coach Hawkins-Schulz is looking forward to developing players over multiple seasons and added County native Rick Van Vlack and former Pirate Mitch Burke to the staff.

“Kyle’s rounded out his staff quite well and we’re excited about that,” the GM remarked.

Important to note, the Pirates are counting on support from the Quinte and Prince Edward County communities to keep moving ahead.

“We’re still a community-run organization. There’s nobody backstopping us. We have to go out and get the sponsorship,” Parks said. “It’s never

easy, but we appreciate our sponsors and appreciate anybody who might want to get involved and support this level of hockey because this is grassroots, this is kids trying to develop, this is kids trying to play out their last couple years. All roads seem to meet here so we’re just happy to provide them the opportunity.”

PIRATES 2022-23 REMAINING HOME GAMES

Thursday, Oct. 20: Port Hope at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3: Napanee at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10: Amherstview at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17: Campbellford at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24: Port Hope at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1: Napanee at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8: Frankford at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22: Amherstview at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5: Napanee at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12: Amherstview at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14: Frankford at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19: Campbellford at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26: Port Hope at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2: Port Hope at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9: Frankford at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16: Campbellford at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23: Campbellford at Picton, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26: Frankford at Picton, 7:30 p.m.

Building a Competitive Roster CAMPBELLFORD REBELS

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

Having been involved in hockey for the past 45 years, John Johnson isn’t about to shy away from a challenge.

That’s why he took on the roles of head coach and general manager with the Campbellford Rebels.

“I just love hockey and love being part of it,” said Johnson, who comes from the North Kawartha Knights where he served as GM last season.

“There’s a lot of work to do here – a ton of work – more than any team I’ve ever seen, but we’re working at it and going to make it worthwhile.” Johnson noted he’s known Rebels president Larry Patton for a long time and is eager to build a winning team in Campbellford.

“We’ve got some good returning players and we’ve got some new young players coming on board and we’re excited to get started,” Johnson remarked. “They’ve had a couple struggles the last few years. We’re trying to turn that around and the ownership wants a winning team. That’s why I’m here, with the other guys, to try and do that.”

Returning players this season include forwards Aiden Treverton, who is the club’s new captain, Josh Sainthill, Colby Turcotte, Brock Kelsh, Charles Boucher and defencemen Dennis Fisher and Owen Findlay.

New to the Rebels roster include forwards Ben Hansen, Owen Brocanier, Keegan Anderson, defencemen Carden Guerin, Nolan Drumm and Brennen Neild and goaltenders Ethan Koren and Noah Barker.

“They’re going to be a hard-checking, hardworking team,” Johnson said. “Right now we don’t have three or four top-end goal scorers so we’ve got to play tough in our own end, play smart and I like guys that finish their checks and the guys to me that win games are the guys in the corners that do the work along the boards.”

Johnson expects the Rebels to be competitive within the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s Tod Division.

“If we don’t put a good product on the ice, you can’t expect people to come watch it and they can’t lose everything but one or two games a year and expect people to keep coming,” he said. “That’s what it’s there for – entertainment for the local people.”

There also needs to be a community-first approach, Johnson believes, noting he sees a strong group of players coming up through the Campbellford Minor Hockey systems who could be future Rebels.

“Whether it’s minor hockey, community affairs or the (Rebels) hockey team, they all have to be together,” Johnson said. “We’re not going to turn a team that won a half a dozen games last year into a first-place team. It’s going to take some time and the ownership has given me three to five years to do that.”

REBELS 2022-23 REMAINING HOME GAMES

Saturday, Oct. 15: Picton at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22: Napanee at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29: Amherstview at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5: Amherstview at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12: Napanee at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13: Picton at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19: Port Hope at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20: Port Hope at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26: Frankford at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29: Port Hope at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3: Frankford at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9: Port Hope at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16: Frankford at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20: Napanee at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10: Napanee at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13: Frankford at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27: Picton at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4: Amherstview at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10: Port Hope at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19: Picton at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 25: Amherstview at Campbellford, 7:30 p.m.

Photo by Levon Barker

Top Photo: From left: Aiden Treverton (Captain), Carden Guerin, Brock Kelsh, Dennis Fisher.

DESERONTO BULLDOGS AND THE TWEED OIL KINGS Return to EOSHL Action

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

The 2022-23 Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League season is underway and that’s great news for local hockey fans.

You can catch senior A Deseronto Bulldogs home games when scheduled on Saturday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the Deseronto Community Recreation Centre. Tweed Oil Kings game are primarily scheduled for Saturday afternoons at 1:00 at the Municipality of Tweed Community Centre except for a Sunday, Dec. 18 match-up against the Bulldogs.

Prior to the start of the season, the Bulldogs announced its leadership group including captain Chris Rogalsky and assistants Matthew Panetta, Jordon Cannons, Mitchell Merry and Joey Mayer.

Also listed on the Deseronto roster are skaters Austin Labelle, Brayden Forestell, Brett Beckett, Brett Maracle, Brodie Butt, Brodie Maracle, Carter Thorton, Cullen Hinds, Evan Foley, Griffen Conger, Jake Dale, Landon Punchard, Luigi Martone, Michael Anson, Noah Brant, Owen Dever, Ryan Dreossi, Shamus Barr and William Harrison, Connor Burns, Ethan Coens, Greg Arnburg, Jonny Hill, Liam Hunter and goaltenders Graeme Gemmill, Trevor Withers, Corey Kuypers and Brady Sarazin.

BULLDOGS 2022-23 REMAINING HOME GAMES

Saturday, Oct. 22: Glengarry at Deseronto, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 29: Frontenac at Deseronto, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 19: Arnprior at Deseronto, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 26: Smiths Falls at Deseronto, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10: Frontenac at Deseronto, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 17: Tweed at Deseronto, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 21; Tweed at Deseronto, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday Feb. 4: Gananoque at Deseronto, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 11: Cornwall at Deseronto, 6:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, rostered for the Oil Kings this season in Tweed are skaters Adam Ostapiak, Adrian Wilson, Andrew Rhynold, Brandon Couto, Chris Atanas, Chris Johnston, Darren Doherty, Dustin Maines, Hunter Fargey, Jacob Palmateer, Jake Campbell, Jeremy Yearwood, Jesse Douglas, Jordan Nesbitt, Kevin Ayres, Murray Free, Pat Millington, Sheldon Thompson, Tyler Melancon, Will Jones, Braeden Allore, Brody Morris, Corbin Crawford, Devin McCann, George Derry, Joseph Crothers, Steven Norman and Zack Elson along with goaltenders Matt Loveys, Troy Webster and Stephan Horn.

Deseronto and Tweed play in the EOSHL’s West Division alongside the Frontenac Phantoms, Gananoque Islanders, Smiths Falls Rideaus and Arnprior Rivermen.

The East Division consists of the 2021-22 EOSHL champion North Dundas Rockets, South Stormont Mustangs, Bytown Royals, Cornwall Prowlers, Glengarry Pipers and South Grenville Rangers. Check out eoshl.hockeyshift.com or follow the club’s on Facebook facebook.com/DeserontoBulldogs facebook.com /tweedoilkings

OIL KINGS 2022-23 REMAINING HOME GAMES

Saturday, Oct. 15: South Grenville at Tweed, 1 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 22: Smiths Falls at Tweed, 1 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 29: Bytown at Tweed, 1 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 12: Deseronto at Tweed, 1 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 19: Gananoque at Tweed, 1 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 26: Frontenac at Tweed, 1 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 18: Deseronto at Tweed, 1 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 7: Arnprior at Tweed, 1 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 11: Frontenac at Tweed, 1 p.m.

BELLEVILLE BEARCATS

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

Ready to Roar

The Belleville Bearcats Girls Hockey Association has been around for close to four decades and it’s not slowing down.

As they bounce back from pandemic restrictions the past two seasons, the organization has reason for optimism moving forward.

“We are very excited,” said longtime executive member Lynn Thibedeau. “Our rep teams have gone from four teams last season to eight teams this season from U9 to senior. Our house leagues are also and running as well.”

This season the Bearcats are offering minor teams at U9, U11 (A and B), U13 (A and B), U15 (AA) and U18 (AA). They play in the Ontario Women’s Hockey Associations’s OWHL-Southern League East Division against a range of teams spanning from Kingston to the east, Markham to to the west and Bancroft to the North and others in between.

“Our teams are just going through their scheduling process now,” Thibedeau said.

In late September, the U13 A Bearcats players enjoyed the opportunity to work with retired NHL player Andrew Shaw of Belleville at their practice.

Any players interested in playing rep hockey for the Bearcats should note that tryouts are held in the spring, usually April and May, and are encouraged to watch the organization’s website and Facebook page for details at that time.

House league is also offered, of course, for those who want to learn and enjoy the sport while developing their skills in a more recreational environment. Junior house league is for players U9 to U13.

Senior house league, meanwhile, includes the older teens and often

adults as well. Sometimes moms play with daughters and the league also provides an opportunity for former players who have moved back to the area to continue playing the sport they love.

In order to accommodate all their rep and house league teams, the Bearcats utilize all four ice pads at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre as well as other area arenas in Quinte West, Madoc, Marmora, Wellington and Deseronto as needed.

Thibedeau also noted the Bearcats organization is in the planning stages for its 2023 New Year’s Classic Tournament, which was expected to return last year after being cancelled in 2021, but more provincial restrictions shut it down again in 2022.

They are excited that it should go ahead this year from Jan. 6 to 8. There are a number of different divisions offered within the age groups of U9, U11, U13, U15, U18, U22 and senior.

“We average 65 to 70 teams attending our tourney,” Thibedeau said, adding it’s great for Belleville and the surrounding area. Lots of visitors that weekend.” It’s sure to be an exciting season ahead.

Thibedeau said the Bearcat organization has been in operation for close to 40 years and has a history of success, including developing players, that leads many to return in the future and give back.

“We have many Bearcat alumni who have gone on to university or college on hockey scholarships,” she said. “We also have many Bearcat alumni, who have returned to the area, get involved again in our Bearcat program either as a player, coach or trainer. It’s great to see them return to the Bearcat family.”

Visit Bellevillebearcats.ca

Return to Defend Division Title NAPANEE RAIDERS

By Jeff Gard/ Total Sports Quinte

After the previous season was wiped out, the Napanee Raiders returned to Provincial Junior Hockey League action last year with a focus on development.

That’s not to say winning wasn’t important, but the Raiders were one of the youngest teams, not only in their division, but in the entire province for junior C teams, notes Raiders head coach Ben Hagerman.

Napanee had no overagers on the team as they iced a younger roster. Still, they found success in capturing the Tod Division title and advancing to the PJHL’s quarterfinals against the Clarington Eagles.

That experience, Hagerman reasons, should only benefit the Raiders, which now have four overagers in co-captains Noah Westwater and Soren Zamuner, Payton Gauthier and goaltender Bailey Maracle along with their young group now another year older.

“We’re definitely a more veteran group and all our 17 and 18 year olds are all a year older with a full season and playoff run under their belt,” Hagerman remarked. “We feel a little bit more experienced and we’ve been able to add some guys that have prior junior hockey experience. “We don’t really know what the rest of the division is going to look like. I think everyone’s done a lot of work this year to get better. We feel confident, but still gotta be cognizant that everyone else went to work, too.”

Hagerman wasn’t surprised by the division title win, but said it was a process the players certainly had to stick with. They finished a few points behind the Amherstview Jets at the conclusion of the regular season and had lost a few head-to-head match-ups to that club late in the campaign before meeting them in the Tod final.

“The guys stuck with it and going through that seven-game series and being able to return a year more experienced with a good chunk of our roster and going to the Eastern Conference final, losing to a great Clarington team, was a heckuva experience for all of us,” Hagerman remarked. “Hopefully we can build off that, but there’s five other teams that want to say something about that and there’s 42 games to play.” Other key returning players for the Raiders include Ben White, Reid Lambert, Connor Brooks, Beckett Palmer-Stephen and Cameron Krupa, who missed about 25 games last season but provided an injection in the lineup when he returned during the playoffs.

A key departure is Logan White, who is attending school in Toronto. Napanee bolstered its lineup, though, with the addition of defenceman Ryan Kidd, who played 51 games last year with the junior A St. Michael’s Buzzers and is attending Queen’s University.

Up front, Christos Chronis and Nicholas Goosney, both AAA players from the Durham area, are expected to boost the offence.

Joining the goaltending tandem with Maracle in net is 20-year-old Alex Zamuner, the brother of Soren. His big frame covers a lot of net and while he doesn’t have any recent junior experience, Hagerman liked what he saw throughout training camp and said “we think it’s a good situation with those two.”

In fact, the coach likes the construction of the entire roster.

“All four lines should be able to create offence and we’re going to have a pretty deep defence that moves the puck very well and gets it in our forwards hands,” Hagerman said. “We feel we’re pretty dynamic offensively, a lot more than last year and with all these good defencemen returning, all a year older, our ability to defend should amplify and if things don’t go right in front of them, we’ve got Bailey back there and feel when Alex gets his starts is very competent in the net.”

A repeat of the division title won’t be easy as Hagerman expects a strong challenge from all clubs, including more competitive games against the Frankford Huskies. He knows Amherstview has a good core of returning players, the Port Hope Panthers have strong overagers to lead their team and the Picton Pirates have a great group of young players steering that ship.

“There won’t be a night off any night, at all. If you’re not ready to go, you’re going to be in trouble,” Hagerman said. “Teams will get on top of you early and it could be tough, especially with some of the tough rinks in our league. I expect it to be a very competitive division all season long.”

RAIDERS 2022-23 REMAINING HOME GAMES

Friday, Oct. 14: Campbellford at Napanee, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 28: Picton at Napanee, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 4: Port Hope at Napanee, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11: Amherstview at Napanee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18: Picton at Napanee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25: Frankford at Napanee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2: Campbellford at Napanee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9: Amherstview at Napanee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16: Picton at Napanee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6: Frankford at Napanee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13: Port Hope at Napanee, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 20: Campbellford at Napanee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27: Amherstview at Napanee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3: Frankford at Napanee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10: Picton at Napanee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17: Port Hope at Napanee, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 3: Campbellford at Napanee, 7:30 p.m.

Photo by: Adam Bramburger/ Napanee Raiders