Page 6 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 139

6 Issue 139 August 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com

Meet the Coaches: Seaway Valley Rapids Welcomes

Experienced Leaders for the Season

build upon as they progress in their has dedicated his career to serving
By Molly Kett hockey careers. his community as a firefighter with
Brad Gager, coaching the U10 the Cornwall Fire Department for
he Seaway Valley Rapids are team, has 10 years of coaching over 20 years. This experience has
Tprepared for an exciting season experience in minor sports, helped him develop valuable skills
with a team of highly experienced including hockey, lacrosse, soccer, such as leadership, teamwork, and
and dedicated coaches, each and baseball. His hockey career saw communication, which he believes
bringing their unique backgrounds him develop with the Millbrook will serve him well in his coaching
and skills to the program. This year, Mustangs in the New England role. Glen Denney
the Rapids have selected a diverse Division 1 Prep School League, the Navin MacDonnel leads the Coach Mentor
group of coaches who are committed Brockville Braves in the CCHL, and U13 team, bringing over 20 years
to developing young athletes both on four seasons with the Concordia of experience in coaching and levels from U14 to U18. Previously,
and off the ice. Stingers in USPORTS. His diverse playing various sports. Fresh Denney was the head coach of the
Kapuskasing Flyers U18 AAA
Pat MacLeod, the U9 coach, has background in sports allows him to off a playoff championship with program, and the NOHA U16 AAA
over 20 years of coaching experience bring a well-rounded approach to last season’s Seaway Valley U12 program in Northern Ontario.
spanning from Initiation Program coaching. program, MacDonnel is a strong
(IP) to Midget AA. MacLeod The U11 team is guided by Ryan believer in creating a team culture The U16 team is coached by
brings a wealth of knowledge and Major, a former Seaway Valley that emphasizes hard work, Brad Robertson, who holds a High
a passion for developing young Rapids player who continued his dedication, and sportsmanship. Performance Coaching Certification
athletes, ensuring that the youngest hockey career within Junior B and He understands the importance of and has decades of coaching
players have a strong foundation to Junior A hockey. Off the ice, Major building strong relationships with experience. Robertson is a huge
each player, encouraging a positive believer in the multisport athlete and
Brought to you by Ming & Associates and competitive team culture, and excels at creating an environment
that focuses on team and individual
Athlete of the Month fostering a love of hockey. growth both on and off the ice.
the Month
Athlete of
Scott Bonneville takes the helm
for the U14 team. Scott’s hockey Trevor Thompson leads the U18
Nayte Grignon career began with the Seaway team. Thompson has been involved
Age: 12 Valley Rapids, playing minor in sports and coaching for over 20
hockey until he was drafted to the years, with a particular focus on
Grade: 7 hockey. Most recently he was the
Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL. He
School: Holy Trinity Head Coach of the Seaway Valley
continued to the junior level with the
Hometown: Cornwall Wellington Dukes in the OJHL and Rapids U16 AA team in the 2023/24
August’s Athlete of the Month is Nayte Gri- the Gloucester Rangers in the CJHL, season. Thompson has witnessed
gnon. Nayte has been playing baseball since the firsthand the positive impact that
finishing his playing years with
sports can have on young individuals,
age of seven. He says his favourite part about baseball is the friendships the Cornwall Colts. Bonneville’s
he has built over the years with players and coaches in both house league coaching experience began at the IP teaching them valuable life lessons
and on the traveling team. His goal is to win a district title with the River level with Charlan Minor Hockey such as teamwork, discipline, and
Rats, for whom he is a starting pitcher and centre fielder, and with coach for three years before transitioning perseverance.

Continued on page 10 to the Seaway Valley level as an Finally, Jeff Legue can be found
assistant coach for the past two leading the U12 team.
years. The Seaway Valley Rapids are

Glen Denney leads the U15 team. confident that this exceptional group
A Hockey Canada accredited High of coaches will inspire and guide their
Performance 1 Coach, Glen has players to new heights this season.
Maxwell Ming - P.Eng, CFP ® been coaching for over two decades With their extensive experience and
Financial Planner
Financial Planning • Investments • Insurance within the senior, junior, and minor passion for the game, the Rapids are
hockey ranks. He joined the Rapids poised for another successful year
613-932-7526 • Max@mingassociates.com
Family in early 2020, coaching at on the ice.