Page 8 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 11

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Optimist Softball Season Comes to a Successful End

By Terry Tinkess

he weatherman was certainly
Tcooperating as conditions were Majors
just about perfect for the 2013 Optimist
minor softball championship day,
which was held on Saturday, July 27.
According to co-president Monique
Sauvé Roy the day went extremely
well and everything ran very smoothly, Minis
providing a lot of excitement for both
players and their parents alike.
In other words, it was just like the
regular season. “The 2013 season was
indeed another huge success for our
softball league,” said Sauvé Roy. “We
surpassed our numbers overall, which PeeWee
solidifies our longevity as a league.

We are the only mixed minor league in
Cornwall.”
And as one season ends, preparation
begins for the next one. “Registration Bantam
for 2014 begins in March 2014,”
says Sauvé Roy. “Check your local
newspapers.”

Seaway Valley “AA” Minor Hockey Association

Celebrates 25 years

By Terry Tinkess Minor Hockey, we had a system didn’t ice a couple teams because players who used “AA” hockey
with both “AA” major and “AA” the numbers just weren’t there. as a stepping-stone to either junior
minor,” says Desnoyers. “For some “AAA” hurt as well when they hockey or the collegiate hockey
reason the president of the day, I came in. ranks and then on to the minor-pro
think it was in 1986, decided that leagues or pro-hockey in Europe.
Today, however, as the association
we didn’t need two “AA” teams, so
celebrates a quarter-century, things A twenty-fi fth anniversary is
they would go with a “AA” major are looking good. something worth celebrating, and
team and a “B” level team. They that is what Desnoyers says Seaway
“Things are good right now,” says
tried it for one year, and we could has in mind for Saturday, October
see that there was just no way that Desnoyers. “The president we
have, Blair Fitzpatrick, he’s in his 26.
could work.”
second year right now and he’s a “On the 26th all nine of our teams
Desnoyers says he remembers that
strong leader. He’s done a lot for are playing, starting at 8:30 in the
it was a struggle to create a new
ark Desnoyers has been our association. “ morning,” says Desnoyers. “We’re
Minvolved in minor hockey association, but that there were a supplying for all participants and
few key people involved such as While Seaway Valley still considers
in the Cornwall area for about 39 Bob Kilger and Bill Snelgrove. Maxville as their home rink, the their parents a meal, all day long.
years. “Since I was 18,” he says We’re making it a big day.”
Ultimately, the ODMHA allowed creation of the Benson Centre has
with a smile, “Too many years.”
the new association to take over the certainly made hunting for available In addition to a full day of hockey,
For many of those years his “AA” level because they weren’t ice a less-frequent task than in the there will also be a number of
affiliation has been with the Seaway being offered a chance to play at past. guest speakers offering information

Valley “AA” Minor Hockey designed for both current athletes
the minor level in Cornwall. “It’s still our home base, but we play
Association, a group he helped get “We formed our own executive,” a lot of games out of the Benson and those who’s day is yet to
off the ground. come.
says Desnoyers. “I was on the Centre and this year we have more
Today, he has too many executive and have been every year ice there than last year. I guess our The thing that would make it perfect
responsibilities at too many different
since.” long-term goal would be to end up though, according to Desnoyers,
levels in minor hockey to even try When asked if there were ever any at Benson.” would be for as many past players,
to list, but as Seaway Valley “AA” coaches, trainers, and executive
times he wondered if Seaway would Seaway Valley has had its share
Minor Hockey celebrates it’s 25 members as possible to show up,
year anniversary, he is happy to say last this long, he doesn’t hesitate of success stories over the years. renew old friendships and cheer the
in responding. “Oh, there’s been Jesse Winchester, Chad Kilger and
he has been there for every single Rapids to victory.

a few,” says Desnoyers. “The first Kent MacDonnell are three names
one of them.
five years were really touch-and- that come to mind when discussing “Drop by, have a snack and watch

The story of how the Seaway Valley go, but we kept going on and on. the Rapids alumni who made it to a couple games,” says Desnoyers.
Rapids came to be is an interesting one.
“Even lately, in the last ten years the NHL. There is a much, much “You’ll probably meet some people
“When we were part of Cornwall there were a couple years where we longer list when you talk about you haven’t seen in a while.”