Page 11 - Sports Energey News - Issue No 99, Cornwall, Mike Piquette

www.sportsenergynews.com
By Jim Riddell
an Youmelle grew up in the east
Dend of Cornwall, the youngest
sibling in a family of three with older
brother, Bob and sister, Darlene.
“There were lots of sports, hockey,
tennis, and golf at Summer Heights.
It was a 9-hole course then, and the
clubhouse was in the barn. Our parents
would drop us off in the morning and
pick us up in the evening.”
Dan was a pitcher in baseball,
playing four seasons with the
Cornwall Cubs, competing in the
Ottawa League, then graduating to
the Cornwall Cougars (17-19 age
group) playing three more seasons
in a league which had teams across
eastern Ontario.
At just twelve years of age, Dan
began his long career officiating
2018 TOYOTA RAV4 XLE
$ 153 B/W
• 84,136 km • Roof
• Stk. PVM054 • One-owner
•Auto • FWD
2018 HONDA CIVIC EX
$ 29,550
• 31,995 km •Remote start
• Stk. PVM045 • 1-owner
• Auto • Heated seats
Issue #99 March 2021 11
Presents Jim Riddell’s Sports Talk
with Area Senior Dan Youmelle
hockey. “I played hockey until midget,
but I wasn’t very good. I got paid to
referee, atom and novice had half ice
and there were a ton of kids out there.
Once per year, one team would rent
the ice at the Montreal Forum for a Photo Submitted
game, and I would go along to referee.
Once, a group of Montreal Canadiens
were coming off the ice just before we
went on and John Ferguson shot the
puck from his side of center and put
it over the glass behind the net at the
other end - we were all in awe. Going
from half ice in Cornwall to full ice at
the Forum was like skating uphill the
whole game.” the youngest officials in the Q. “The league meant maintaining a good
Cornwall Royal players all lived in the fitness level and staying well versed
Dan continues, “When I first started, east end and attended St. Lawrence on the rules and regulations. Each
there were no officiating levels - we
just worked our way up. When the High School and that meant that the August the referees and linesmen
levels did come in, all of the referees day after a game, I would be sitting in would attend a one-week training
went to the Nepean Sportsplex for class with a few of them. They would camp in Cap de La Madeleine, where
certification. I got certified as a Level ask how I was able to officiate at that they would do conditioning drills,
4, which qualified me to referee Tier level at my age and I would reply power skating classes, and refresher
2 Junior A and work lines in the that I was the same age as them and training on league rules.
QMJHL. I started with Jr. C, then Jr. they were playing, so why could I not After school, Dan was hired by
A and I spent ten years in the Central officiate? If they razzed me about a Associate Finance. “One day, a
call, I would mention a missed pass
League and the Quebec league.” and things usually got quiet then.” phone call came in from Mr. Murray,
At 17 years of age, Dan was one of the Eastern Canadian Vice President
Working as an official in the Quebec Continued on page 12
RATES AS LOW AS 613-935-8888
4.99% MARK-ITSOLD.CA
2018 FORD FUSION SE 2017 NISSAN MICRA SV 2017 HONDA CIVIC LX
$ 125 B/W $ 73 B/W $ 115 B/W
• 56,379 km • NAV • 34,241 km • A/C •60,029 km • A/C
• Stk. PVM051 • Leather • Stk. M0030B • Power group • Stk. M0018A • Power group
• Auto • 1-owner • Auto • 1-owner • Auto • Remote start
2019 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2018 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2018 GMC TERRAIN
$ 175 B/W $ 112 B/W $ 26,450
• 40,794 km • 4-door • 55,231 km • Auto • 61,567 km • Automatic
• Stk. PVM048 • Auto • Stk. PVM004 • 4-door • Stk. PVM011 • Black interior
• Blue • Excellent condition • Grey • Black interior • Dark Grey exterior • 4-door
CORNWALL, ON
613-935-8888
CornwallMitsubishi.ca