22 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Leamington Flyers re-entered Junior B loop in 1992
By C. Scott Holland LEAMINGTON — After spending a quarter century as a perennial Jr. C powerhouse and with two provincial championships under their belt – in the late 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s – the Leamington Jr. B Flyers suddenly found the influx of other local teams was hurting them. As a result, the team’s executive decided to make a change and thought that by moving up a level, they could draw the same solid fan base and give fans a better brand of hockey. It was a move that paid off and now, almost 30 years later, the local Jr. B entity provides a high STENLUND calibre of action and has promoted the talent of many of its players. The number of grads who have moved on to a higher level, including the NHL, is a testament to the superior quality of the Flyers’ program. But back in February of 1992, the Flyers’ executive, led by president Bob Fox, had some tough decisions to make as there was concern over how long the club could maintain such a move. Could that move to the next level pay off? The initial hurdle was developing a business plan and getting assent from the Ontario Hockey Association. After naming Harold Konrad to the GM’s post in March 1992, and developing a plan, the green light was given and Konrad’s search for a head coach did not take long. By early April, it was announced that Vern Stenlund, a former NHL player, had been hired. Stenlund
had previous stints coaching the Chatham and Windsor Jr. B clubs. It appeared that the club would be in good hands, as Stenlund added Brent Webster and John Hoy – both former Jr. B players – plus veteran Jr. C coaches, Reg Mulholland and Kevin McIntosh as assistants. McIntosh left the post before training camp began and was replaced by Doug Vickery. With a high emphasis on recruiting area players, especially those close to Leamington, the club did not have to go too far to find what they wanted. Some of the names were familiar, while others weren’t. When the Flyers opened the season against the Sarnia Legionnaires on September 9, 1992, it was apparent from the first drop of the puck that this team was going to give a 60-minute effort every game. Even in that home opener, they showed that they belonged. They would lose 5-4 in overtime, but gave the fans some exciting moments, including a third period comeback, in which they rallied from a 4-1 deficit. Jeff Gates would score the first Flyers Jr. B goal that season – it came at 29 seconds of the third. Ironically, the team would lose to Sarnia on a goal only 12 seconds into the overtime. The Jr. B Flyers, who had endured a tough time in their first Junior B stint in 1966-67, were back. They battled for a playoff spot throughout the entire 52 game campaign, but failed to garner that fourth spot. They finished with a rather good record of 15 wins, 17 losses, 5 ties and 5 overtime losses. They scored 222 goals and allowed 305, yet did not gain a playoff spot.
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It was the beginning of what would become a tradition of hockey excellence on Thursday nights. Coach Stenlund summed the Flyers up by saying, “We’ll take it one day at a time... I think we have the best coaching staff available but fans will have to be patient.” Paul Anthony, executive member at the time, added, “Our goal is to make Leamington the place where hockey players want to play in order to launch their careers whether it’s to go on to college or university, or just to a higher level.”
That tenet has not changed, and coupled with the success from the last decade, the club continues to draw topnotch talent. Throughout the years, many people have volunteered and worked hard to keep the club going, not only as a community-owned club but also after it was sold in 2010. Along the way, the club has scaled the heights to two consecutive playoff titles (2014-15 and 2015-16) and were poised to do the same this past season. No matter what lies ahead, the Flyers shall continue to fly.
It didn’t take long for the Flyers’ coaching staff to become recognized. After winning the Western Conference in 1993-94, they were named the league’s Coaches of the Year. From left to right are OHA President Brent Ladds, Vern Stenlund, John Hoy, Doug Vickery and Brent Webster. Photos from Scott Holland collection
Wheatley Sharks and their 25 years of Junior C hockey
by C. Scott Holland whelmed by the instant respect given It seems like just yesterday when it by other league teams. The Sharks’ first training camp was all started, but the calendar tells us that 25 seasons have elapsed in Wheatley held on September 2, 1995, with their home opener on September 25 against Sharks history. On May 11, 1995, the Ontario Hockey the Blenheim Blades. Looking at some of the names on that Association announced that the Great Lakes Jr. C loop would expand with the first season’s roster, there was Aaron Setterington, Matt Coulter, Drew Haraddition of a 12th team. The new franchise was Wheatley and vey, Terry Symons, Jay Pickle, Mike as original co-owner Max Raffoul ex- Raffoul, Tony Youssef, Troy Zeray, Richplained at the time, “We are not really a ard Morris, Ryan Rivest, Jason Cornies, ‘new’ entity because our group bought Jamie Maksoud, Joel Julien, Scott Cronheimer, Kyle Gabriele, Kris Barnard, a former club.” That club was Tilbury, whose fran- Greg Liebrock and Joe Diemer. Their mandate of having 12-14 local chise was suspended after court action players certainly held true. From that stemming from a player’s complaint. A group consisting of Joe Moracci, Vic first game to the most recent contests Gabriele, Max Raffoul, John Omstead a quarter of a century later – under the and Richard Paliani joined forces to buy current leadership of Thomas Grubb the Tilbury team and got the OHA ap- and now known as the Wheatley Omproval to move it to Wheatley for the stead Sharks – the team has given local hockey fans something extra to cheer 1995-96 campaign. The league opted to go with two di- about. visions, putting Wheatley in the south along with Essex, Amherstburg, Belle River, Kingsville and Blenheim. By mid-June, the club had its logo and was initially known as the WheatleySouthpoint Sharks. Former Leamington Flyers assistant coach John Hoy was hired as the team’s first coach, with Larry Gibbons, Richard Paliani and Max It was a gala night on September 25, 1995 as the Wheatley Raffoul as assistants. Southpoint Sharks played their very first Jr. C game at home. The reaction to the The official puck dropping was between Blenheim captain Bob new franchise was McNear (front left) and Wheatley captain Tony Youssef (right). very positive by fans At the back are the Sharks owners, left to right, Joe Moracci, and local businesses, Richard Paliani, Max Raffoul (dropping puck), Vic Gabriele and and they were over- John Omstead. Scott Holland photo collection
