GORE BAY—The 40th annual Porter Clark Purvis Thibault Memorial Hockey tournament will definitely go down in history as one of the best ever. Great hockey with close games were the order of the day.
In the Sportsmen A division, the Jagerbombs defeated the Manitou Monsters in the championship game by a 4-2 score. The team was presented with the Godfrey Porter Memorial trophy by members of the Porter family including Eldene Longhurst, Jeff and Annie Porter. Members of the Jagerbombs included Ryan Lanktree, Justin Lanktree, Steve Green, Devin Lockeyer, Parker Dickinson, Brandon Orford, Greg Trudeau, Jake Pitawanakwat, Hunter Smith, Dawson Campbell, Jarvis Debassige, Diggy Debassige, Carson Shawanda, Robert James and Julian Wemigwans.
Goaltender Julian Wemigwans was presented with the Rick Rayner most valuable player award by Aaron and Stacy Rayner.
Nick Lane, president of the Western Manitoulin Minor Hockey Association (WMMHA) on its behalf said, “I would like to thank all of you for participating in the 40th anniversary of the Porter Clark Purvis Thibault hockey tournament. This is our biggest fundraiser for the minor hockey association and all the proceeds raised go back to the hockey association to keep registration costs low for families of players.”
The Over 40 A division championship was won by Team Blodgett, who defeated Team Orford by a score of 4-2. This is the first time the Blodgett team has won this division. Team Blodgett got out to a 3-0 lead in the game with team Orford scoring two goals to make it close.
Members of Team Blodgett included coach Ken Blodgett and players Chad Chevrette, Roger Hayden, Joel Lock, Chris King, Perry Como, Mark Sanchez, Don Wright, Steph Madore, Chris Deschene, Kurt Noble, Kyle Noble, Scott McDougall, Tom Lockyer, Curtis Flanagan. Team Blodgett was presented with the Platt Purvis Memorial trophy.
In the Sportsmen B division the Wet Bandits defeated Average Joes in a tight 2-1 game. Members of the winning team included Evan Peltier, Jake Robinson, Josh Robinson, Nate Cooper, Kyle Greenman, Bryce Draper, Keegan Clarke, Nick Purvis, Austin Purvis, Aiden Chimlek, Chris Goudas, Noah Hare, Sam Assinewai, Boston Thibault, Lucas Sprack, Eric Varey. They were presented with the Hiram Clark Memorial Trophy by members of the Clark family including among them Holly Clark and Hye Clark.
The Over 40 B division saw M’Chigeeng handle the Gore Bay Fossils by a score of 10-1. M’Chigeeng took a 5-0 lead after the opening period on their way to victory.
The M’Chigeeng team included Bryan Corbiere, John Ense, Shane Laidley, Scott Madahbee, Joe Toma, Travis Corbiere, Sheldon Migwans, Todd Fox, Sundance Hare, Greg Mishibinijima, Patrick Peltier, Bert Panamick, Ed Simon, Jeremia Corbiere, Keegan Peltier.
New in this division this year was the presentation to the winning team of the Randy Thibault Memorial Trophy. Mr. Lane explained the trophy, “is new this year for the B division in memory of Randy Thibault for all the tremendous contributions he made over 40 years of being involved in minor hockey in Gore Bay and on the Island.”
Members of the Thibault family including Tara and Brad Hawke, Abby and Hailey Hawke presented the plaque.
