Inaugural fun run!
I love to hear of new, physical activity events that help to get additional local people to be more active than they might have otherwise been. The newest is this Sunday’s first annual ‘Dashing Through the Snow Fun Run’ in Birch Island. Organizers, Greg and Peggy have the ‘fun’ side of things as they are encouraging all participants to don their favourite Christmas attire or get dressed up as your most beloved character.
The fun starts at Shawanosowe School (heading north, turn left off Highway 6, go up the hill to 321 Maple Heights Road), at 12 pm. There will be prizes for Most Festive, Best Santa, Most Original and Best Times (although you must be in Christmas attire!). Organizers Greg “The Goose” Sutherland (705-285-1485) and Peggy McGregor (705-285-0250) just ask that you pre-register, by giving them a call at the above numbers.
Niven’s skills forged in fire!
Congratulations to Providence Bay’s Michael Niven who, on top of his university studies in Ottawa, has a part time job of officiating at this stage Junior A level hockey games! The young man seems poised to keep on moving up thanks to his calm but strong control of the games he presides over. He recently saw lots of ice, wearing the “black and white” at the Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge! The challenge pitted the best Junior A all-star teams of Eastern Canada, including two NOJHL squads. Incidentally, this event saw another local, Gregory Trudeau Paquet, who played for the NOJHL East.
One can’t help wonder if part of Michael’s skills development and thick skin didn’t come from many games in front of the often all-too-critical audiences in Manitoulin arenas. Michael even refereed many games in local sportsmen and 35’er tournaments where there is a special mix of weekend warriors and long in the tooth veterans and both, frequently making poor judgements out there!
Local NOJHL star rises again!
Congratulations to Gregory Trudeau Paquet who garnered two Star of the Game recognitions this week. One of the star awards game in the last, close to home game, in an over-time loss to Espanola. Thanks to those efforts and the offense that went with it, he was the leading NOJHL point-getter for a while this weekend! In only 26 games played, number 9 has 17 goals, 18 assists for 35 points.
Sniper, lighting the lamp down south!
Monyon Cotnee-Jacko’s daughter Wasky was a top scorer for the North York Storm Midget A this past weekend in Detroit. The Storm were recently competing in the Nations Cup winning five consecutive games to take the gold. Monyon, who now lives in Toronto, is a hockey coach and the manager of the famous Little NHL. Congrats Wasky.
Speaking of the Little N.H.L., the organization released pictures and details of the 2019 tournament coming up in March over the weekend. The next event will be hosted by the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, near Sarnia, and once again Mississauga will play host. Due to the expansion of the tournament over the years they have outgrown any city that doesn’t have the concentration of arenas and accommodations that a locale like Mississauga has.
Wiikwemkoong’s 4th annual Hockey Tournament
The call is out for teams to register for the high stakes tournament on the weekend from February 15-17. In the Men’s division they are looking for eight teams. The entry fee is $1,500 but the championship team wins $10,000 with the runners-up pocketing $3,000. There is a $250, non-refundable deposit required.
Six teams are needed for the Women’s division. $500 gets your team in and first place earns $2,000 and $1,000 for second. There is a $100, non-refundable deposit needed.
There will be a licenced dance on Saturday night with a $10 admission charge. For more info or to register visit the Facebook page: 4th Annual Wikwemikong Hockey Tournament or Gerard Baibomcowai.
A good sport is good for sports
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