Page 23 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 145

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #145 February 2025 23

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Continued from page 22 not only in hockey, but education-
wise as well.” Asked about highlights
Shopping Centre, and the final six from his time as colour commentator
years managing the Sears store in for the Cornwall Colts games, Gilles
Brockville. replied, “With the Colts, it was fun
Continuing to be active in the local to see the potential of some of the
sporting community, Gilles played developing players—guys like Chad
Senior hockey in various leagues, Kilger, who was only 15 at the time
including the Labatt League, for and was already better than everyone
many years. It was fastball in the else. Another memory that stands out
summer, with Gilles stating that was when the Colts won the League
there were three leagues, with at least Championship in Pembroke. I was
eight teams in each one. “Fastball out on the ice with my microphone
was very popular in those days, with after the game, interviewing players.
a tournament somewhere, usually Matt Verdone was always my
every second weekend. After that, I favourite target, as he was a good
played softball for around five years player who was outgoing and always
with the Huron Hockey School, which willing to talk about the team.”
was more of a slow-pitch league with In total, Gilles spent eleven years
the same rules as fastball, just no working with Wayne and doing
windmill pitches,” Gilles recalled. Photo Submitted colour commentary—three doing
the Royals games and eight doing
“Wayne Thompson, who was playing talk to each other.” Gilles continued, Americans moved over to this side
the Colts games: “Being a hockey
on my team, approached me, saying “One highlight from those times was of the river in 1992, becoming the
fan at that time in Cornwall was
that he had just landed the job to do the Three Nations Cup game in 1996. Cornwall Colts, Wayne and Gilles
truly special, with so much activity
the play-by-play for the Cornwall The tournament featured teams from were back in the broadcast booth. “It
surrounding the Royals and then the
Royals games and wanted to know if Canada, Finland, and the USA. The was great how the Colts stepped in
Colts. I also really enjoyed working
I was interested in being his colour Canada vs. USA game was held in after the Royals left,” Gilles recalled.
with the entire Cogeco staff, who
commentator. My neighbour, Ray Cornwall, with Manon Rhéaume “They were heavily involved in
made our broadcasts so easy and
Julien, and I had season tickets for as the goaltender for Canada, and the community; there was always
enjoyable, and helped create lasting
the Royals for many years, so I was they won 4-3.” Another highlight something happening, they were
friendships and memories.”
quite familiar with the team. I guess was the 1990 Chrysler Cup All-Star involved with different charities, and
you could say that Wayne drafted me Game, which pitted the OHL team it was great to see. It was great for Gilles spends much of his spare
right out of the Cornwall Slow Pitch against the QMJHL. The game, held the team and for those young players time these days doing woodworking,
League. It was always an interesting in Cornwall, featured Wayne on the as well. Community involvement got carving ducks and other wildfowl.
time in the media room; the scouts broadcast, while Gilles attended as them out of their ‘sporting shell’ and He also refinishes antique furniture
would come in, and often they were a fan: “I took my son Kevin down exposed them to other avenues that and creates watercolour paintings
former NHL players—guys like to meet Eric Lindros, and that was would help them after hockey. The and barn quilts.
Bobby Orr, Gump Worsley, Danny a thrill at the time.” Gilles did the Colts always had a good management
Gilles and his wife Diane have two
Geoffrion, and many others—they colour commentary for the Cornwall team and an excellent support staff.
children, Kevin and Jennifer, and a
had some great stories, and it was fun Royals games for the teams final three Because of this group surrounding
granddaughter, Kinsley.
to just stand around and listen to them years in the city. When the Massena the team, the players were developed