Page 8 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 19

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Presents...Then and Now

Cornwall Royals Edition ... Jeff Reid

Chris Clancy and John Lovell. “I was
By Ashley March
a young head coach and stayed with
Guelph for nine years,” Reid says,
hen it comes to the Cornwall “It took me a few years to figure

WRoyals, fans always bring out that hockey was a high priority,
up the glory days of winning back-
but the big picture was getting a
to-back Memorial Cups in the early degree and possibly having a pro

80’s. While that was a significant
opportunity after school. School was
event in the team’s history, Cornwall paramount.”
had always iced a strong team until
the early 90’s when the team was “Major junior isn’t for everyone
sold and relocated to Newmarket, and lots of players are late bloomers.
Ontario. The main difference between the OHL

Jeff Reid was a part of Cornwall’s and collegiate is understanding what
last three seasons. Hailing from far the players’ goals are.” Reid offers a
away Owen Sound, Ontario, Reid bit of advice for future players. “I’m
started his hockey career like every biased but Major Junior is the best of
other young lad in the country, both worlds. Work to get your dream
following in his father’s footsteps. of playing professional hockey and
His days with the Junior “B” squad if it doesn’t work out, school is there
of the Owen Sound Greys led him to and paid for.”
be drafted by Gord Woods and the As he reminisces about his time
Cornwall Royals in the 11th round.
in Cornwall, Reid says the fans are
Jumping at the chance to start his the some of the memories that stick
minor hockey career, Reid made the out the most. “The fans were very
seven-hour trek to the Seaway City passionate about the Royals. The
and was placed with a passionate hockey was incredible.” In the same
billet family, the Alexanders. “I had breath, he remembers the great Orval
the same billet family the whole time
Tessier giving him his chance to
I was there,” Reid recalls. “Mrs. excel. As Reid was a late draft pick,
Alexander really welcomed me
he got his chance after Winnipeg Jets
and my roommates and made the prospect Jason Cirone was away at
transition of being away from home their camp and blew out his shoulder.
very easy.”
was pretty powerful.” Lovell came Clancy. “He was my big brother out “Orval signed me to a roster card. I

His first two years with the squad was very grateful for the opportunity
saw him play under the likes of Marc in during the Royals last season in there. He made me be able to play and went on to say I needed a new
Crawford and John Lovell. Crawford town. “Outstanding coach. I learned like I was 6’2”.” pair of skates.” Tessier didn’t say
taught them what it took to play a great deal about hockey and how to The tandem of Reid and Clancy much and a couple of weeks later
professional hockey. “He participated be a good person from him.” didn’t stop with the Royals. After called Reid back into his office. “On

in lots of the drills and would actually Reid remembers the incredible his junior career, Reid turned his desk were a new pair of skates.
compete with us.” Crawford, having talent the team had. “Being able to professional and played with various
just retired from professional hockey watch and play with Owen Nolan was minor pro teams across the United He ordered them with two inch steel
himself, was not afraid to compete awesome. Score goals, hit and fi ght States, teams such as the Las Vegas blades. He told me he was going to
with the team he was in charge of. at the drop of the hat. He was an all- Thunder, Orlando Solar Bears and get me to 5”10 somehow.”
“Many times he would finish his around hockey player.” Other names Raleigh Icecaps. Upon retiring from Reid has just finished up the hockey

checks on us.” Reid remembers, “He coming to mind were the great John playing, an opportunity arose to season as an assistant coach with the
actually bag-skated himself after a Slaney, the late Guy Levesque, one of headman the men’s hockey team at the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs. Here’s
bad loss. He said he couldn’t play his roommate’s Ryan Vandenbussche University of Guelph. His assistants? to seeing him behind the bench for a
for us but he could skate for us. That and of course, his linemate Chris Two aforementioned Royals alumni, few more years to come.

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