HockeyXpress Issue 14

Kitchener, Ontario Published 3 times a year 2018 • Issue 14

2017/18 Cripps Tournament Champions

2018 • Fourteenth Edition

Official Magazine of the KMHA

table of contents sportsfiles Entertaining, informative and engaging articles on local athletes, sports and teams.

06 | KMHA seeing the benefits of additional skill development 08 | We tried a Girls Try Hockey Day

teamprofiles Profiling community sports in words and photographs.

SportsXpress is proud to launch the fourteenth edition of HockeyXpress, a magazine dedicated to bringing you stories about hockey in the Kitchener area.

We are proud to partner with the Kitchener Minor Hockey Association on this publication, as we work to grow and develop the great game of hockey at a grassroots level, by sharing with you stories on our teams, players and events.

As you flip through this edition, you will find some great success stories about some of our local Kitchener players, coaches and teams, as well as lots of information on what’s new at KMHA. As you’re reading, keep in mind that several of these stories are coming straight from parents, coaches and KMHA volunteers themselves.

Included in this edition is the Oktoberfest Tournament program. Take a look through to see which teams have made it to this years Alliance Championships, showcasing the top house league teams from surrounding cities including Brantford, Burlington, Cambridge, Greater Fort Erie, Greater London, Hamilton, Kitchener, Sarnia, St. Catharines, Waterloo and Woodstock.

For those of you playing in the tournament, we wish you the best of luck!

HockeyXpress is printed three times per year and we need your help to share the stories happening in our community.

04 | Kitchener Lady Rangers Atom Red brings home Barrie Sharkfest title 05 | Great season for Lady Rangers IA 07 | Sweetheart moments at Sweetheart Tournament 10 | 2017/18 Cripps Tournament Champions

Get in the Game!

PARTICIPATE. INTERACT. SUBMIT. SportsXpress has a targeted readership reaching committed sports enthusiasts — 37,500 readers throughout the sports zone

See you at the rinks!

To submit your own stories and photos for consideration in future editions, please email Brad at info@tricitysportsxpress.ca. Also be sure to visit your KW area SportsXpress website at www.waterloo.sportsxpress.ca, to read up on all of the region’s local sports stories, where you can also find our uploader to send us your own stories.

CONTACT Brad Eason info@tricitysportsxpress.com or visit www.sportsxpress.ca

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Kitchener Lady Rangers Atom Red brings home Barrie Sharkfest title

2018

FOURTEENTH EDITION PUBLISHERS

Brad Eason 519 208 9302 ext. 837 info@tricitysportsxpress.ca Kitchener Minor Hockey Association 519 579-2229

Submitted by Brad Dunlop, Head Coach for Girls Local League Atom Red CONTRIBUTORS

Brad Dunlop, John Fleming, Dean DeSilva, Chris Mitchell, Brooke Robinson KMHA and the SportsXpress team.

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The Lady Rangers Atom Red team went 6–0 and captured the Barrie Sharkfest title on the weekend of November 17th.

After a tough round robin schedule where they played three Barrie Sharks teams and a team from Orillia, the LR Atom Red team took top spot heading into the playoff rounds. The semi-final game was against a strong team from Sudbury, and after the first period the game was within a goal. Lady Ranger Atom Red charged ahead in the second period and followed it up with a strong third and took the semi-final game by a final score of 4–1.

Off to the finals where they faced a tough team from Wilmot whom they had not beaten over the past couple years.

With some stellar goaltending and defensive play, Lady Ranger Atom Red stifled the Wilmot offence, which led to some timely goals from the speedy

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group of Lady Ranger Atom Red forwards who dominated the rest of the game. This was the first time this group of players and coaches had attended this tournament, and the result was a championship to bring back home to Kitchener!

The coaching staff could not be happier with how the girls came together as a team, played hard, and had lots of fun. It was a weekend to remember!

The coaches were super proud to say that every single player on the roster contributed with points and were very solid defensively as they led the tournament in Goals For and Goals Against.

Thanks to Lady Rangers Red Nation for your awesome support over the weekend!

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HockeyXpress is an independently owned and operated member of the SportsXpress Network Editorial Contributions: Submissions are welcome from writers, photographers, athletes, coaches and individuals. Please contact the publisher. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. Contributors are responsible for obtaining all approvals for publication of photos and content prior to submission. All submissions may not be used. We may edit, publish, reproduce, distribute and archive submissions in any form or medium without any compensation. We are not responsible for lost or damaged submissions. Contents copyrighted. All rights reserved. Reproduction or transmission of any article, photograph or artwork in any form or by any means without permission from the publisher is prohibited.

HockeyXpress is published six times per year. HockeyXpress is committed to protecting your privacy as our customer. We may collect personal information only if it is required for the proper functioning of our business and only share this information with our business partners. The editors and contributors who write for HockeyXpress attempt to provide accurate and useful information and commentary.

However the editors, contributors and HockeyXpress cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. We assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any readers based on the information provided.

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Great season for Lady Rangers IA

Submitted by Jon Fleming

Kitchener Lady Rangers Intermediate A Gold This season’s edition of the Kitchener Lady Rangers Intermediate A team is off to a strong start with a 20–5–1 record.

The team has adopted a high-tempo style of play that has helped them compete at a high level with the top teams in the league. Overall, the caliber of play in the league has increased once again this year with more Midget AA and PW girls continuing on with competitive hockey even when attending post-secondary schools or starting their working career.

Joining the team this season are Ashley Armstrong, Alexa Fisher, Larissa

Kolundzic, Clara Lochner, Sydney McIntyre, Kristen Straus, Megan Thring, Tori Waite, Candice Woodall and recent addition, Devin Kay. Returning players include Nicole Bingeman, Brittney Crawford, Kristen Dahmann, Taylor Dobie, Christy Fleming, Alex Ladd, Hunter Lee and Jenny Newcombe.

Joining the coaching staff this year are alumni standouts from last season, Katie Simons and Paige Riley, assisting Ted Martin and head coach Jon Fleming.

Darlene Dobie (Mama Dobes) is our trainer again this season and does a

great job keeping the girls healthy and ready to play.

So far the team has been victorious in the Clearview “Pink in the Valley” tournament and had a strong showing in the Kitchener Fallfest Tournament, winning their round robin division before bowing out to a determined Cambridge squad 2–1 in the semi-finals. The team is looking forward to continuing our momentum into 2018 and eventually reaching the goal of a Provincial Championship.

Kitchener Lady Rangers Intermediate A

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KMHA seeing the benefits of additional skill development Submitted by Dean DeSilva As part of their development program, Kitchener Minor Hockey Association has provided power skating and goalie training to rep players, both girls and boys, from Novice to Pee Wee at no additional cost. Kitchener Minor Hockey has turned to Rick Heinz Goalie and Hockey School to provide this additional skill development for the last number of seasons.

Kitchener Minor Hockey alumnus Tim Fewster is the owner of the Rick Heinz Goalie and Hockey School, a position that he has held for the past 10 years. Tim was drafted to the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL out of the Kitchener Greenshirts Midget program. Tim decided to take the college route and played four years of NCAA hockey for Southern New Hampshire University where he obtained his degree in Sports Administration as well as his MBA. After a short stint with Louisiana Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central league, Tim decided to enter the work force and was hired by RBC. Prior to starting at RBC Tim helped out at the Rick Heinz Goalie school and things quickly evolved. Tim never set foot in RBC as an employee, and he took over the goalie school transforming it into a full hockey school.

The program employs five head goalie instructors and five head power skating instructors, all of whom have played at

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the junior level or higher. They work with five minor hockey associations throughout Canada as well as running satellite clinics around the USA. Many of these instructors are also educators and understand the changing game and athlete.

This is important when it comes to communicating with today’s athletes. The program also employs numerous minor hockey players throughout the summer.

The Rick Heinz Goalie and Hockey School has specifically focused and developed their power skating program for Kitchener Minor Hockey.

Through constant feedback and communication from both coaches and instructors, the program has evolved over the years from multiple teams being on the ice at one time for four sessions to what we have set in place today. Today, all KMHA rep teams from Novice to Pee Wee on both the boys and girls side have six power skating sessions specific to their team. The sessions are scheduled at the start of the season to ensure consistency, repetition, and building strong skating habits right from the start. The skating sessions also provide goalie training that is specific to that position. Because coaches are on the ice with their teams, the coaches are able to develop

themselves in areas where many aren’t comfortable, and pick up skills, teaching methods, and drills that can then be implemented in their season practices.

Updating the skills and program is key to the development of Kitchener Minor Hockey Player Development. Gone are the days of just skating up and down the ice. The entire game has changed, and the power skating program focuses on tight edge work, balance, obtaining immediate speed in small areas, as well as creating and building speed through turns and crossovers.

The goalie training has evolved over the years as well. Kitchener Minor Hockey goalies receive 10 weekly sessions throughout the season that are specific to them. Goalies share the ice with goalies of their own ages over four one-hour sessions each week, Novice, Atom, Pee Wee, Bantam/Midget.

House league goalies continue to receive their training within the KMHA rinks while the KMHA rep goalies attend a new goalie specific training centre that opened Thanksgiving 2017. This facility allows for six to eight goalies to work at once with the instructors.

The goaltender training is unique and not seen within many other associations.

This has evolved over the years to ensure Kitchener goalies are receiving development opportunities that weren’t available previously. Many coaches at all levels will admit that goaltending is the

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hardest position to develop and scout with very few qualified goalie coaches available. As a head coach, we simply want somebody to stop the puck, we don’t care how, just stop the puck. There is much more to the position than simply stopping the puck. Just like the game itself, goaltending has changed over the years. Simply watch an NHL game from even just 10 years ago and compare it to today’s game. The difference is obvious with equipment, movement, and the pure athleticism of the position.

Goalies develop their own style best suited to their body, their size, and their

comfort. One thing that remains constant, however, with a goalie is their eyes and the fact that they need to understand and read the game in front of them.

They need to take advantage of playing in the only position where the whole game lies in front of them. For this reason being a student of the game, understanding how to track the play, and understanding the tendencies of opposition players is just as important as quick reflexes and movement.

KMHA’s goalie program focuses on the grassroots and foundation of the position to ensure goalies understand the basics and build off of the important foundation.

Starting at Novice, goalies work on footwork and balance. As they progress through the older ages other elements are added to their repertoire including hand position and movement, slides, post integration, and puck handling, with a constant reminder of tracking the puck.

The game of hockey has evolved and changed, with the biggest change being skill development and speed of the players at all positions. Gone are the days of the big lumbering defenseman or weakest skater playing goal. Today’s game allows players of all sizes the opportunity to shine. The benefit of the

power skating and goalie development within KMHA ensures players coming through our system will receive the skill development necessary to assist them in reaching their goals.

When asked about the skill development offered through the association, KMHA President Tom Graham had this to say: “Kitchener Minor Hockey is extremely proud of the work that has been done within our development system over the past few years. We are now beginning to see the benefits that we’ve been able to achieve from both our power skating and our goalie training. Both of these programs have been outstanding.

As we grow our Association, the development program will always be at the forefront of our association ensuring that we’re providing all of our players the opportunity to gain the skills that are needed to be able to compete at a high level.”

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Sweetheart moments at Sweetheart Tournament Submitted by Chris Mitchell, Kitchener Lady Rangers Novice B Head Coach Congrats to our Kitchener Lady Ranger Novice B team! We played in the Orangeville Sweetheart Tournament over the weekend of January 26th to 28th, 2018. We hoped this tournament would allow us to come up against some really tough teams to help prepare us for the

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continued from previous page... playoff season. It turned out to be a very competitive tournament, including some the top teams in the province at the Novice B level, and it also involved a really long and somewhat difficult schedule of early morning and late afternoon games.

However, our team took the opportunity to showcase what we have been focussing on in practices with their greatly improved skills and teamwork.

The Brampton Canadettes have former Olympic Gold Medalist Cheryl Pounder on their bench, and this team plays some very fast and physical hockey!

Our Kitchener Lady Rangers stepped

up to the challenge and tied them 2–2.

The other top team we played was the Orangeville Tigers who came out of the regular season with a total of 40 points.

They could not solve our goalie, and we beat them 1–0! Finally, the Etobicoke Dolphins have been steadily improving throughout their season. Our one loss in this tournament was to the Dolphins, 3–2, and they were a good match-up for our girls, but in the end we won the gold medal game 3–2 in overtime. I would suggest that the future is looking very bright for the Kitchener Lady Rangers, as we also came out on top in every event in the Skills Competition. (I would say this was the case even for the cheering

section!) Way to go, Kitchener Lady Rangers Novice B! Let’s keep this hard work and competitive play going into playoffs and playdowns. I am very proud of all of you.

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We tried a Girls Try Hockey Day Submitted by Brooke Robinson Our family has been participating in KMHA boys’ hockey for a number of years, but for the first time, this year we have a daughter in girls’ hockey. I wanted to share her story with you, so that you can understand how the girls’ hockey program has impacted her in just a few short months.

Our 10-year-old had been asking to play hockey for many years. Sadly, we dismissed her pleas since we were still feeling a bit disgruntled about her less than positive experience playing soccer years before. Hockey is a much bigger commitment, a much bigger investment, and to just put on the equipment before games would require more effort than she had been willing to commit to soccer.

After persisting for three or four years,

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we started to realize she was really committed to this idea of playing hockey.

We had grown familiar with the boys’ program and didn’t see it as a fit for her.

We knew nothing of the girls’ program.

Last January, I scrolled through my Twitter account and spotted a post about a “Girls Try Hockey” event offered for free that very afternoon. Realizing that this might be just what my daughter needed to fully understand the amount of effort required to play, we dropped everything and headed to Activa in a flash hoping that she could participate even though she wasn’t registered. I was prepared to plead and beg, thinking for sure we’d be turned away. To my amazement we were welcomed by every single person involved in organizing this

special day. We were encouraged by the number of people who raved about the girls program everywhere we turned.

“No moms allowed,” I was told as my daughter was whisked away into the locker room. I thought the chances were good that she would change her mind before even having equipment on. It’s intimidating to be surrounded by people you’ve never met, to be putting on strange gear, and to be heading out onto ice knowing that you can’t successfully skate end-to-end. I waited at the door expecting to see her come running out of it. There were a couple of girls who had changed their minds — my daughter wasn’t one of them. She told me later how much fun it was in the locker room. Having the older players help with gear, dancing to

sportsfiles the blaring music, and trying on the new jersey that was given to each one of the girls participating. When the kids came out to head for the ice, my daughter was so elated that I was surprised her helmet could contain her smile.

The girls hit the ice for some routine drills. As a non-skater this must’ve been overwhelming for my daughter who spent much of the time trying to get up from a tumble. I waited nearby, expecting that at some point she’d decide it was more than she had bargained for. Ten minutes passed by, and her smile never wavered.

The moment I realized that she was in her glory, I couldn’t contain my tears.

Fast forward to fall 2017. By this point she hasn’t stopped talking about hockey. Team evaluations can’t come soon enough — for her at least. As for her parents, we’re still feeling anxious about her playing with girls who’ve had many years experience. How can she keep up and contribute to a team effort if she doesn’t even know how to skate well?

To our amazement, she powered through the evaluations no matter how many times she fell on the ice, no matter how often she struggled with the drills, and no matter how often she needed extra guidance from the coaches. She continued to have such a bright smile that it was easily noticed by everyone around her.

She was soon placed on a team. It still brings tears to my eyes thinking about the joy she felt the day that her new coaches presented her with her first ever hockey jersey — or in this case — jerseys.

What an honour to be handed Kitchener Rangers Jerseys to represent your first ever hockey team. (Ask her brother what he thinks about that! He’s a wee bit jealous to say the least.)

Taylor is a proud member of the Kitchener Lady Rangers Atom Red team!

The girls on her team are incredibly talented. Most of them have been playing for many years, and a number of them have had the experience of playing for development teams as well. Naturally, we were worried that the girls would be hesitant to welcome a new player with zero experience. The first few weeks with the team were a challenge as Taylor had a lot to learn. No matter what she was faced with on the ice, her smile

never faded; in fact, it somehow continued to grow brighter.

Each day after practice, the other girls would find us in the arena to share how proud they were of Taylor’s hard work, or her constant smile, or her newly acquired skills. The coaches continued to have endless patience with her as she required more attention and time than the other players.

You could tell that everyone on this team was invested in Taylor’s progress and success.

As each week passes, Taylor only loves hockey more. She wakes up each day hoping to have practice and has never been discouraged by the amount of work and effort required to develop her skills and understanding of the game.

I cannot say enough about the coaches of this team. They are everything you could ever want for your child, the entire group of them. I have never encountered a more positive group of coaches. It’s easy to see why these girls continue to thrive.

The Kitchener Lady Rangers Atom Red Team is currently undefeated. They have some amazingly talented players, but what’s more important to note is that these girls are just remarkable little ladies. They have gone out of their way to help Taylor develop skills, to pass to her in a game or to find extra patience when she’s clueless about being off-side.

Add to that the fact that Taylor is hearing impaired. She doesn’t wear her hearing aids on the ice, and occasionally can’t hear when the coaches call her back to the bench. Her teammates quickly discovered that if they collectively knock their sticks against the boards that Taylor will hear the cue to return to the bench.

Problem solved. Taylor trusts these girls, senses a genuine sisterhood, and she feels included 100 percent.

The day that Taylor scored her first goal, the entire arena erupted in excitement. That goal was not just an accomplishment for Taylor; it was an

accomplishment for the entire team. Each of these girls has helped her to grow as a player and to continue to love every part of this experience. Her coaches threw her up in the air in celebration and presented her with a commemorative puck. As you can imagine, this was a memory she will cherish for a lifetime.

After most games, her coaches will make a point of telling us how proud they are to witness her progress, and how much they enjoy her never-fading smile.

Recently one of the coaches shared, “Taylor plays as though she feels she belongs out there!”

We couldn’t agree more. She started out knowing very little about the game and without enough skill to skate the full length of the ice. Despite that, the outstanding girls on her team have never once made her feel as though she didn’t belong.

As it turns out, Taylor and her new friends are learning lessons that extend far beyond the boards. We have been incredibly humbled and proud to watch as these girls progress as a team.

If you’ve ever wondered whether Girls Try Hockey Day is worthwhile, we are here to tell you that it was a total game changer for our family. Had I not scrolled through twitter that day last January, we’d have missed out on this experience entirely.

Thanks for the opportunity to introduce our daughter to her new favourite sport!

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2017/18 Cripps Tournament Champions

Girls Local League Bantam Blue

Bisons

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2017/18 Cripps Tournament Champions

Chill

Jaguars

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2017/18 Cripps Tournament Champions

Jets

Knights

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2017/18 Cripps Tournament Champions

Lightning

Girls Local League Novice White

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2017/18 Cripps Tournament Champions

Pirates

Sky

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2017/18 Cripps Tournament Champions

Sting

Vipers

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DONNA WEBER

MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT WHEN Friday May 11, 2018 Lunch at 12:00pm Shotgun Start 1:00pm Dinner at 6:00pm WHERE Rockway Golf Course

625 Rockway Drive, Kitchener, Ontario

• $150.00 PER PERSON (Before April 15, 2018) • • $175.00 PER PERSON (AFTER APRIL 15, 2018) • • PRICE INCLUDES: GREEN FEE,, CART, LUNCH & DINNER • • VARIOUS HOLE PRIZES •

WELCOME TO THE 9TH ANNUAL DONNA WEBER MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Big Webes Memorial Putting Contest Par 3 Presidential Shootout Prize For Each Golfer Participating

**All proceeds from the event will be donated directly to: