Island Elementary volleyball championships!
Last Thursday all of the Manitoulin schools sent a boys’ and girls’ team to Wikwemikong and Little Current respectively. In the boys’ competition, Wasse Abin’s Pontiac was steady all day thanks to fiery serves and dominant defense on balls left near the net. The always strong Pontiac team win was dependent on Lakeview beating CMPS in the last match of the day who did just that to end up tying the Eagles for second overall.
Congratulations to the Wasse Abin roster featuring: Kaleb Dokum, Evanson Peltier-Pitawanakwat, Ian Dokum, Kevin Trudeau, Malachi Shawanda, Dante Recollet, Hunter Staruck, Zachary Pangowish and Eli Jackson.
Up in Little Current, it was CC McLean who hoisted the trophy on the day as they finished the day on top of the round robin tournament, edging Central Manitoulin for the win.
The winning roster included: Malia Leighton, Ayriell Nodecker, Macy Pearson, Amber Wiwchar, Reece Carter, Larissa Chevrette, Zoé Couillard, Lily-Faith Hore, Dream McLaughlin, Nicole Shank, Abby Smith, Madison Swihart and Paige VanderWeerden as well as Coach Dan Smith.
Young Snipers recognized
Billy Biedermann, long the bane of Manitoulin goalies since he started to skate on two blades, is now wreaking havoc on Nickel District AA Atom competition. He has also been recognized by others including Sudbury Sports.com who said he “is establishing quite a reputation as a tournament big game goal scorer.”
“After lifting the Nickel City Atom AA Jr Sons to victory in the Sudbury 80s Tournament with the only goal of the game in a 1-0 gold medal win against the Timmins Northern Allied North Stars back in October, Biedermann was up to his old tricks Sunday at the 2015 Silver Stick Tournament.
Biedermann completed his hat-trick in overtime, giving the Jr Sons a 4-3 win over the Sudbury Wolves at the Carmichael Arena, securing the Nickel City crew a berth in the International Silver Stick in Sarnia in January.”
Samuel Assiniwe is also excelling by averaging a point a game in the AAA Nickel City peewee program after putting in a few years with Island programs (Little Current Flyers and Panthers)…and may be playing some international hockey soon due to his high caliber of play. Keep up the hard work guys!
Locals shine in Sudbury tournament
Aurora Ominika Enosse and Dana McLeod of Wikwemikong were important members of the Sudbury Midget CWS as they won a big Sudbury tournament this past weekend. The CWS downed the Sudbury Midget Lady Stars 3-1 in the championship game at Countryside arena this past Sunday. Congrats girls and assistant coach Lawrence Enosse.
Santa Shufflers!
There were a number of Manitoulin runners who took their fall fitness to run in the annual Santa Shuffle in Sudbury last weekend. When pictures are posted of this fun, year ender, participants are usually seen wearing sweats and scarfs, not shorts and bare heads as with this year which may have accounted for the amazing turnout of 323! Congratulations to Island runners: Greg Bond, Stephen Odjig, Paula Recollet, Ashley Mishibinijima, Jacqueline Odjig and Sarah Odjig.
Awesome Olacke!
Becky Olacke, formerly of Spring Bay, recently completed the ‘Amica Marathon’ in Seattle, Washington. Becky has competed in a number of marathons and full Ironman’s in the past. She is studying pediatric dentistry as her specialty and continues to be a member of the Reserves in the Canadian Armed Forces.
From Dad’s point
The recent passing of the father (Randy) of longtime 80s-90s defenseman Stephen Cady prompted me to write about the possibility of a Manitoulin Panthers’ Alumni Association. The seven-year commitment of the Cady family to the Panthers Association was an important contribution to the early years of our Rep Hockey. Stephen was a solid player who went on to not only star with the Panthers but also was able to crack the lineup of the NOJHA/NOJHL Thessalon Jr. A Flyers while still of midget age.
An Alumni Association would be instrumental in recognizing former Panthers. Last year under the direction of Little Current’s/Sheguiandah’s Cathy Wilkin, the Panthers were able to organize a benefit game for a former Panther who had an unexpected health emergency. The game, 50-50, silent auction, etc. raised a great amount for a family with a crisis on their hands. Similar emergencies have happened with other former Panthers in the past but no organization was in place to assist those particular players and their families. On behalf of Ms. Wilkin, myself and other interested persons a proposal has been put forward to the Manitoulin Panthers executive to create an Alumni Association.
The Executive has a great deal of work just to keep the Association viable on a year to year basis. An Alumni Association could take over the charitable aspect for former players who run into unpredictable events. The former Panthers who took part in last year’s event all expressed excitement about the game and thankfulness that they were able to help a former player who is now thankfully completely recovered. They also indicated their willingness to be involved in future endeavours as someday they could face similar circumstances. Hopefully such an association will soon see the light of day.
A good sport is good for sports.
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