Page 44 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 65

44 April 2018 Issue #65
Cornwall Colts Edition… Rodney Pitblado
By Staff Writer
odney Pitblado has a lot to say
Rwhen it comes to talking about
his time playing junior hockey. “I
have some very fond memories from
my days of playing junior hockey,”
he states.
Pitblado, who is one of the original
Cornwall Colts, played with the Junior
A squad in 1992-1993, its inaugural
season. “In 1991, I was drafted in the
third round to the Massena Americans
of the Central Junior A league. The
Americans later became the Cornwall
Colts in the 1992-1993 season. Don
Derry bought the team and moved it
to Cornwall,” Pitblado explains. “It
was an exciting time for hockey in
Cornwall. The fans were great - they
were very supportive. And, playing
hockey in the town I grew up in was
such a great experience. I always
had many friends and family at the
games.”
Pitblado, a defenceman, played 80
games in the CJHL. He was well- to balance school and competitive
known for his tough, physical play,
especially against the boards, earning
Pitblado’s chiropractic clinic,
Pitblado Chiropractic Clinic
(Family Wellness Care), has been
in business for 15 years.
Photo Submitted
www.sportsenergynews.com
presents Then and Now:
him the name “The Pit Bull”.
When thinking about his days
as a Colt, Pitblado quickly recalls
the friendships with his teammates.
“During the season you often spend
more time with your teammates
than you do with your own family. It
creates such a strong bond. More than
anything, I remember the camaraderie
of the team. The joking around after
the games and practices. The tricks
we played on each other. The hanging
out off-ice. I’m still great friends with
many of the players from that team.”
Pitblado also remembers well
the juggling act of balancing school Former Cornwall Colts’ player, Rodney Pitblado, enjoys spending time
with his wife, Krista and their two sons, Zayne and Trey. Blue Jays’
and hockey. “School always came baseball games are a favourite family outing. Photo Submitted
first. I remember the long bus trips
to Pembroke, trying to finish a math
with the Colts in 1992-1993, Pitblado goal of becoming a chiropractor.
assignment, with a flashlight in one attended Queen’s University, from Also, having met so many wonderful
hand, on the way back from the
which he graduated with an Honours people throughout my journey playing
game. Although it was always a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences. hockey made it much easier for me to
challenge to juggle school and hockey After obtaining his degree, Pitblado grow my practice when I returned to
and to excel in both, it was something
enrolled into New York Chiropractic Cornwall.”
you had to do.” College, and in 2000, he graduated as Now, with his days as a Junior
Pitblado explains that it is this effort
a Doctor of Chiropractic. A hockey player well behind him,
Pitblado currently runs his Pitblado, who is married, has two
hockey that is the key to success, own clinic in Cornwall, Pitblado children, Zayne (13) and Trey (12).
saying that it’s hard to comprehend
Chiropractic Clinic (Family Wellness “Both of my sons have played for the
the dedication and commitment Care). “In November of this year, it
required to pursue such goals, unless will be 15 years since the opening Seaway Valley Rapids since they were
you’ve experienced it first-hand. of the clinic. Our clinic deals with a in Novice. I’ve had the opportunity to
“Many young athletes playing hockey wide range of conditions and injuries. be involved in their budding hockey
today put a great deal time and effort We focus on prevention and wellness careers as a trainer, an assistant coach,
into their sport, but unfortunately care, but we also treat sports related and also as a team manager. It’s been a
don’t put enough effort into getting injuries, repetitive strain disorders, wonderful experience and it’s great to
good grades. This is something I try and much more.” be able to give back to minor hockey
to instill into my children. They both About whether playing hockey as a as it has given me so many wonderful
play competitive hockey, but school Cornwall Colt helped him get to where memories.”
always comes first.” he is today, Pitblado explains, “I can When not driving from rink to rink
The former Colts player speaks say with 100% certainty that I can with their boys, Pitblado and his wife,
from experience. In fact, ensuring attribute a great deal of my success Krista, enjoy travelling with them
completion of a solid education, as a Doctor of Chiropractic to playing and spending time around their pool
Pitblado passed over the chance junior hockey. The amount of time together. But, by far, what they enjoy
to play with the Cornwall Royals, and commitment required to play most is watching them play hockey.
leaving training camp during the competitive hockey prepared me for “It won’t last forever, and so for now,
summer of 1991 to keep his college
the many years of post-secondary we are truly enjoying the journey,”
options open. Following a final season education required to complete my states Pitblado.