Page 18 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 140

While quantities last.
Issue 140 September 2024
18
Pommier Jewellers www.sportsenergynews.com
“Pommier Jewellers September

Sports Mom”

Kristal Champagne Game
Card
Popcorn
Sports Energy’s back-to-school Mom of the

Month is Kristal Champagne. Kristal is an Snowman
incredibly busy woman who balances her Kit
children’s sports, her own sports activities, Hot
family business ownership, and work. Chocolate

Kristal’s five children—Paris (9), Sofia Partnered with
(7), Isabella (6), Gemma (4), and Nikolaos
(3)—are involved in a plethora of sports,
including ice hockey, ball hockey, karate, *New purchases only. See dealer for details.
dance, bowling, equitation, gymnastics, and
girl guides. “Nikolaos is anxiously awaiting
the day he can play hockey,” Kristal says. “For SPEC0000808
now, it’s public skating and stick and puck.” Making dreams come true since 1937
“My three oldest have received numerous awards over the years,” Kristal continues.
6 Second St. E., Cornwall 613-932-4022 www.pommierjewellers.com
“I am most proud when they bring home a best teammate or player of the year award. 6 Second Street East,
I have taught my kiddos to encourage others and keep a positive attitude. They’ve Cornwall
certainly mastered it well.”
Kristal isn’t a passive observer. She’s heavily involved in her children’s activities. She 613-932-4022
manages all of her kids’ ice hockey teams and coaches on-ice. She coaches their ball www.pommierjewellers.com
Continued on page 19

Behind the Bench - Continued from page 17 fulfillment in the lasting impact he
is rooted in a simple yet profound and it was the first year of contact
have shifted. belief: “Develop the person, develop for many of these players, which has on his players’ lives.
the player, learn to win, in that made it a difficult transition. We’re
“When I first started coaching, “I had a coach say your greatest
order,” said Denney. “If you don’t moving into tryouts, looking to see
I still thought like a player. It was develop the person to have the some players that have that drive and impact on a player will be ten years
win, win, win, win, and it was the after you coach them. It’s being
grittiness and determination to fight hunger to look at last season wanting
excitement and exhilaration of through the obstacles to improve, to improve.” invited to a former player’s wedding
those big games. As I’ve matured
you can’t develop the player. If you or being asked for a letter of
it’s changed, less about me and don’t develop the skills, tactics, One of Denney’s most cherished reference,” said Denney. “The fact I
banners,” said Denney. “It’s not that coaching memories comes from
and at certain ages, systems, when
I don’t love to win, but there are the time comes and you’re playing his time leading an AAA team that made that much of an impact is also
times with that mindset you aren’t defied the odds. After starting the very rewarding.”
competition that does have those
coaching your entire roster and developed, you can’t win. If you take season with a 3-9-1 record and not As he looks ahead to the
giving each player the opportunity having won a playoff game in ten
care of the first two parts, winning upcoming season, Denney is eager
to develop to their maximum usually takes care of itself.” years, the team made it to the league to see how his players will grow
potential. The motivators now are a finals. and develop, both on and off the ice.
The past season presented its fair
constant need to improve, to create “We had knocked out one of the With his years of experience, a clear
share of challenges, particularly with
that development opportunity and a best teams in the province at our home coaching philosophy, and a passion
injuries, and the transition to contact
sense of responsibility to give back arena in front of 1,800 deafening for nurturing young talent, Denney
hockey for many of his players.
to the game the same way that my fans,” said Denney. “Seeing the is poised to lead his team to new
previous coaches had instilled in “We had a tough season a year ago sense of pride and accomplishment heights.
me.” on the ice in the win/loss column,” in the boys was rewarding.”
“Thanks for the opportunity and
said Denney. “We were a little injury
Denney’s coaching philosophy Yet Denney finds the most go Seaway!” said Denney
prone which made it challenging,