Page 30 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 132

30 Issue #132 January 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com

who are unable to attend the game.” once you lay a base for that concrete and visualizing the happenings even
Continued from page 27
Dennis mentioned that a broadcaster setting the listener will then add to without the ability to physically see
Founders Cup Junior B Lacrosse has to know what he is doing, if not, it as you go.” This is called “theatre it. I’m currently listening to Dennis
Championships. The Akwesasne the listeners will figure that out fairly of the mind,” with Dennis having Chaussi broadcast the Akwesasne
Thunder went to the finals, losing quickly. A little trick that Dennis received several compliments on Thunder on CKON 97.3, and it’s
9-7 to the Edmonton Warriors in the picked up years ago from Fred his ability to help create the visuals incredible to listen to this artist go to
Gold Medal game. BCTV Sports Pletsch, a longtime hockey play-by- for his listener. Gerard Spinner, work.”
was telecasting the games, and their play broadcaster, was to first learn the the father-in-law of Salmon River It was Salmon River coach, Tim
commentators were having some centres on each team. Once that was Hockey coach, Tim Cook Sr., and Cook Sr., who gave Dennis the
difficulty with the pronunciation of accomplished it was easy to place the the grandfather of Tim Cook Jr., and nickname “The Voice,” with Dennis
some of the Mohawk names. Dennis wingers with them. Dennis always Kade Cook, both of whom played clarifying that it was because of his
helped them out by writing the names makes a point to be at the game early for Salmon River hockey, came to broadcasting and not for his singing.
down phonetically and then coaching to talk with the coaches of both teams see Dennis in the broadcast booth at Another longtime hobby of Dennis’s
them with the pronunciation, which and get up-to-the-minute information a game. “He told me that he hadn’t has been learning to play the guitar
was appreciated by the BCTV crew. on the players. been much of a hockey fan at all until and singing. “It’s all about crying,

In 2012 when Larry Edwards When doing the broadcast Dennis he started listening to me describing loving, and leaving,” Dennis said.
retired from doing the play-by-play says that it is important to call the the game on the radio.” Perhaps “it’s classic country, I have two songs
for high school hockey, Dennis took game so that his listeners are able the ultimate compliment came on CKON now and I’m currently
over. “The first thing that I always to visualize it. “If I’m doing a high from fellow broadcaster, Brandon working on a CD.”

do is acknowledge the listeners, it school hockey game, once I welcome Bordeau, who posted on social media “Broadcasting is something that I
doesn’t matter which sport that you everyone to the broadcast, I will say while listening to Dennis do the love to do,” Dennis stated. “First and
do, your listeners are always your that Salmon River will be skating play-by-play of a lacrosse game. He foremost, I have always wanted to
number one,” Dennis stated. “I from right to left on your radio dial posted, “Broadcasting in the purest announce for my community. I started
always do an intro in Mohawk, say or vice versa, depending on which form is about painting a canvas where with CKON 97.3 FM in 1984, that’s
‘hello and welcome to the broadcast,’ direction they are skating. They can the listener can close their eyes and where my heart has always been, and
acknowledge the elders and those now visualize things in their mind, see the game transpiring in their mind I love doing it.”

Continued from page 29 puck handling, and teamwork.”
Boots also acknowledges
For Phil, the most rewarding the significance of the girls
aspect of coaching is witnessing teaching him valuable lessons,
the genuine love and enjoyment including their spirited locker
the girls derive from being room cheers. One such cheer
part of the team. “The smiles echoes in his memory: ‘Hi, my
on their faces really make it a name is Macy, and you know
special experience,” he said. what I got? What do you got?
Phil’s coaching philosophy at I’ve got a team that’s hotter than
the U9 B level revolves around hot!’
creating a fun and enjoyable “At this point, my favorite
experience that will keep the coaching memory would be
girls coming back to the game the locker room cheers with the
of hockey. He places a strong team,” said Boots. “The girls
emphasis on skill development really embody team spirit and
throughout the season, having a great time.”
recognizing its importance in In the rink with Phil Boots,

shaping the players both on and coaching transcends the
off the ice.
    “The season is going really technicalities of the sport. It’s



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€   well,” said Boots. “The girls about creating lasting memories,
fostering a love for the game,
have increased their skills in
several areas such as skating, and imparting essential life
lessons.