Page 10 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 84

10 Issue #84 November 2019 www.sportsenergynews.com

Seaway Valley Rapids Coaching Profile: Matt Gray

of coaching in there as well. It was
By Casey Leger
something I really enjoyed and always
thought that I would do it in the future,”
oaching hockey runs in Matt
CGray’s family. “I have a 5-year- he says.
old who wants to play hockey,” says Currently, Gray is at the helm of the
Gray. “It was a pretty cool feeling minor peewee AA Rapids, eleven-year-
as I thought of the days that my dad olds who were born in 2008. “This
coached my brother and me as kids, age group is really fun to coach,” says
and how we still talk about those times Gray. “They are very keen to learn new
today.” things and are now getting old enough
and strong enough where we can
Coach Gray’s ten years behind the
bench isn’t the only experience he introduce new skills and systems.” Of
brings to the Rapids table. He played course, every group of kids comes with
minor hockey in Char-Lan until his challenges. “At this age our players
first year in peewee, and he played for are becoming young men and ladies
the Rapids until major bantam. Then it who know a lot about everything.
was off to the CJHL and eventually to We work with them on this and listen
university where he played for Western. to everyone. It can be challenging;
however, sometimes they have really
“My first experience with coaching
good things to say,” says Gray.
came when I was younger and still
playing hockey,” says Coach Gray. When it comes to a coaching
“We used to work a lot of hockey philosophy, it’s team first as far as
schools throughout the season and Coach Gray is concerned. “We stress
into the summer. My teammates and the importance of respect, hard work
I would sometimes travel to different and discipline, both on and off the ice,”
cities and live there while we worked says Gray. “No question we want to Photo Submitted
different hockey schools as a job to win, but we need to be a team first,
make money. We mainly did a lot especially if we are going to win the
of on ice instruction with a little bit big games.”

Steve Ostler presents “Good Call Ref” Brought to you by Pitblado Chiropractic Clinic
U 18 Colts Player Profi le

Cole Fraser-Dupuis

November’s featured referee is soccer Brayden Bowen
enthusiast Cole Fraser-Dupuis. Cole is Grade: 10 Age: 15
a grade twelve student at Saint Joseph’s School: Ecole Secondaire la Citadelle
Catholic Secondary School who hopes Home Town: Cornwall
to one day attend college to study Police This Colts forward hit the ice at an early
Foundations and to, of course, play soccer. age. “I started playing hockey when I was
Cole has been refereeing for the Seaway three years old on our backyard rink,” he
says. “I love playing hockey because it is
Valley Soccer Club. Now 17, he started when he was 15 years old. He
a fast-paced game, and I am able to make
has done some matches in Ottawa, and refereeing is his summer job. new friends”.
For Cole, the best part of refereeing is being around the sport he loves. Before joining the Colts, Brayden played
“I enjoy the simplicity of the game,” he says. “It’s a great team sport.” AAA hockey for the Eastern Ontario

Cole has officiated matches for boys and girls teams, from U10 to Wild. “We won our league three years
U15. He prefers to ref at higher levels. “I enjoy the action and the in a row,” Brayden says. In his major
challenge,” he says. As for challenges, Cole says the most challenging Peewee and major Bantam seasons, he had the opportunity to play in the
aspect of being a young official is dealing with disgruntled parents and OHF All Ontario Provincials Tournament held in Toronto.

coaches. He plans to attend college and study business.
Shop at home or office 1916 Pitt Street N., Unit 1A (Heritage Business Centre)

• specializing in men’s clothing & accessories CORNWALL • 613-933-1200
• custom tailoring available
• wedding parties
• many years of experience
• committed to customer satisfaction
• No extra charge for this premium service
Steve Ostler • 613-932-6202 Registered Massage Therapist Sheryl Calvank-Rodriguez, RMT
Moe Schulman (1976) Ltd. by appointment