Page 38 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 79

.sportsenergynews
Issue #79 June 2019
www
4238 Issue #79 June 2019 www.sportsenergynews.com.com

Continued from page 37 and many would come to watch When Ray’s sons Scott and Trevor

Long Island for an afternoon game us play. I talked with several of began playing hockey he coached
in the Nassau County Coliseum, them and they thought that with them in both house league and
returning to Lake Placid and then us flying around the ice slamming travelling, continuing until Scott
back to Cornwall Sunday night. into each other, that we were the finished playing juvenile.
The hockey was good, as every crazy ones”. In 1987 Ray had a ragtag group
team seemed to have at least three Ray, Gerry, Claude, and Pete of nine boys, adding until they SUB Place
or four ex- pros and everyone had played together for eight years with reached fourteen players. They Damaris Sanchez
a competitive edge. The hockey the Roamers until the team folded only lost three games all season, Home
was never dirty but had lots of with Ray saying that they were then swept Nepean in the playoffs,
body contact. Ray mentioned that treated very well in Lake Placid. and went on to the Ontario Winter of the

playing in Lake Placid gave him a Ray then joined the Cornwall Hubs Games in London, finishing top Great Sub
new perspective on how athletes recalling that one year the team four in the province. Ray also
viewed each other’s sports saying won twelve tournaments, saying helped to organize ball hockey 613-932-6033
that “ski jumpers from all over that it seemed like they were and he coached Scott and Trevor’s 407 Pitt Street
would come to Lake Placid to train playing five games every weekend. team. Fastball was another sport

that Ray enjoyed, playing in both
Centennial Project, also saying
the Sportsman and Industrial
that Gloria held the fort down
Leagues and played in many of over the years, and without her
Whistle Stops the local tournaments, saying support system he would have
“competition was tough in those never been able to do all the things
tournaments and there were a lot
The “Team” has just completed Issue # 79, and as always, I would of very good pitchers”. that he did. Ray and Gloria are
like to thank Lynn (Graphic Design), Margo (Editor), Bernadette (Website); now hockey grandparents, as their
our writers, Molly, Victoria, Carrie, Thom, Casey, Jim; our editorial In 2000 Ray retired from the grandson Josh is playing this year
columnists, Jim, Jorge, Dave, Peter, Justin and Perry. The Sports Panel, Catholic School Board ending a in the USHL. Ray states that “I
Gilles, Jake, Jim; our distribution manager Rene, our ad salesman, Gord, thirty-three year career, the last am so blessed over the years to
our distribution locations, our advertisers and of course the people who are twenty being spent as a principal. have met so many good people, to

featured in our stories. I hope you enjoy # 79
In 1967 Ray married Gloria have coached our sons and now to
I was surprised to see Pierre Dorion hire DJ Smith as the Senators’ Gregoire, with Ray jokingly watch our grandson play, Gloria
next head coach. Smith won the job over more experienced coaches who referring to that being their and I appreciate everything”.
were on Dorian’s list, I’m not sure if salary played into the decision, but I’m
sure Smith’s salary expectations were not as high as other more experienced Warner’s Insurance presents
candidates were. Only time will tell if Dorion has made the right choice.

As an armchair GM, My list of candidates would have included
former Gatineau Olympics’ coach and current head coach of the Syracuse
Member of the Month
Crunch, Benoit Groulx; former Pembroke Lumber Kings, Sault Ste Marie
Greyhounds, and current head coach of the Toronto Marlies, Sheldon Keefe; Member of the Month
and current assistant coach of the Detroit Red Wings and former head coach
of Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburg Penguins, Dan Bylsma. Dave MacDonald
Dave was born in Cornwall. The family, including two brothers and three sisters, lived on
I had a great time at the “Boxing for Change” Fundraiser for the Heaadline Road. His dad worked at Courtaulds for forty years.
After completing high school in St. Andrew’s, Dave took some courses at St. Lawrence
Children’s Treatment Centre. Hard to believe these boxers are amateurs. College. While still in high school he started a sign business making menus, signs on trucks,
etc. Dave was a self-taught graphic artist. In 1974, he started Dave’s Reliable Signs. He
Good things happening at the Cornwall BMX track. sold it in 2010 but still manages Buckeye Billboards. Also in 1974 Dave married Suzanne
Lafl amme. They have two daughters Renée (daughter Ember) and Tracy (sons Xavier and
Declan).
My wife and I will definitely be attending Cirque du Soleil Axel, a Dave always enjoyed sports like lacrosse and 5 pin bowling but hockey has been his passion.
world class show that features ice skating and breathtaking acrobatics. The He had an eight-team league for 10 years at the Cornwall Civic Complex. These players
became part of a draft system for hockey players. Dave passed this organized league on
show will be at the Ed Lumley Arena October 4th and 5th. These performers to the Huron Hockey School. Dave also coached minor hockey in Charlottenburg for several
are truly amazing athletes. Way to go Janice Robinson and all involved from years. His team won the cup twice and he was chosen “Coach of the Year” during this time.
Dave enjoys playing hockey so much he has helped to create tournaments for charities like
the city in booking this show. Cystic Fibrosis, Mt. Carmel House, Journey to the Father, Agape Centre, The Flying Fathers, and Lung Cancer. Dave had an interest in local politics. He has been the
Reeve of Charlottenburg (1991-1994) and the Mayor of South Glengarry (2000-2003). Dave has his sulky license for harness racing. To achieve this license he drove
Congrats to Nathan Seguin, who recently won gold at a provincial in 125 races from Woodbine, Mohawk, Blue Bonnets to Vernon Downs NY, and Freehold NJ.
In 2013 Dave joined the OSGA District 8 Board. His 55+ Men’s Hockey team won the bronze medal at the OSGA Provincial Games in 2013 and the bronze medal at
trampoline competition. He now holds the title of Provincial Champ. the Canada Games in 2014. His hockey teams have continued to compete for the medals at the OSGA Provincial and Canada Games and the trophy at the World Cup.
They recently won the 45+ Men’s Hockey trophy in Nashville, Tennessee.
Great to see Perry Blanchard and Rick Filion teaming up once again For more information regarding OSGA check out our Facebook at OSGAdistrict8-SDG, Prescott, Russell, and Akwesasne.
Save on Home
to coach local lacrosse. This year they are at the peewee level coaching Save on Home
in the Cornwall Celtics’ system. Perry and Rick have coached at every
& Auto Insurance
level, have enjoyed success, and run an awesome program with the kids. & Auto Insurance
My youngest son Patrick played on their teams at different levels, and as
parents, Shirley and I enjoyed watching the team each season. Patrick is
now 28, and still talks positively about his experiences with Perry & Rick
Local
and the fun times he shared with his teammates. Service
Winners never Quit, and Quitters Never Win, www.warnerbrokers.ca Online
Signing out, Until next Month 613-932-7210 • 215 Sydney Street, Cornwall Quotes
Mike Piquette, Publisher