GORE BAY—In recognition of his over 40 years of tremendous contribution to minor hockey in Gore Bay and throughout Manitoulin, including his efforts toward the annual Porter-Clark-Purvis Memorial annual hockey tournament, the organizers of the latter will be adding the late Randy Thibault’s name to the tournament name.
“Randy Thibault’s name will be added to the name of the tournament so it will be known (as of this year’s tournament in March) the Porter-Clark-Purvis-Thibault Memorial Hockey Tournament,” said Nick Lane, president of the Western Manitoulin Minor Hockey Association (GBMHA).
“Randy’s name will be added to the tournament name to recognize all his efforts in minor hockey over 40 years,” said Mr. Lane. He said the GBMHA members “thought it was right to include his name on the tournament. When it was first raised it was very well received.”
The Manitoulin Minor Hockey Association (MMHA) presents an award on an annual basis, the Randy Thibault Memorial Award. “The award is presented to someone other than a player that has made an outstanding contribution to hockey on Manitoulin Island. This person has gone above and beyond the call of duty to promote and represent hockey on our island.”
“Randy Thibault was a long-standing member of Manitoulin Minor and Western Manitoulin Minor Hockey Associations,” the MMHA site states. “Randy was a coach, a mentor, an executive member and most importantly had a true passion for hockey. Randy’s knowledge and commitment to the game of hockey on our island was and still is second to none. Randy’s calm, cool nature made him easy to be around and very easy to approach regarding any hockey issue. Randy’s ultimate goal was to see kids play and enjoy hockey on Manitoulin Island just like he did.”
“We wanted to do him proud, Randy was a long-time organizer of the tournament,” said Mr. Lane. “After the tournament last year, we were wondering how to include Randy in the tournament for all his contributions over 40 years. This idea came up and it was a no-brainer to go ahead with it.”
Mr. Lane said as part of the tournament, “we have a Godfrey Porter Sportsman’s A division trophy, the Hiram Clark Sportsman B trophy, the Platt Purvis over 40 A division trophy and now a Randy Thibault plaque will be presented to the over 40 B division winners.”
“This year marks the 40th anniversary of the tournament,” said Mr. Lane. He pointed out “actually, it was 42 years ago the tournament was started but we missed two years due to the pandemic.”
