Island Elementary Volleyball
Last Thursday (December 8) was the day for the annual, Manitoulin elementary school volleyball tournaments. The girls’ championship took place in Little Current and the boys’ event was at the Wasse Abin High School in Wikwemikong.
Over at LCPS, the Central Manitoulin Public School (CMPS) girls won and did it in straight sets! Kudos to Coach Lisa Pennie and her charges: Leah Spry, Madison Skippen, Haylee Cress, Hailey McGillis-Prior, Ava Assinewai, Chloe Peltier, Annie Balfe, Zoe Redmond and Delaney Bridgeman.
Over at the Wasse Abin High School’s double courts there was double the number of games. As things shook out over the day it was super close right down to the last match of the day. As the single, round-robin format finished it was the CMPS Eagles who just edged out the Wasse Abin and Lakeview sides as they won nine of 10 of their games.
Congratulations to players: Joe Graham, Tyler Leeson, Hunter Smith, Liam Bridgeman, Owen Duncanson, Carter Moggy, Zack Bond, Jaemie Moor and Coach Melissa Brandon.
Hockey blast from the past
If you watched the Mindemoya/Manitoulin Dolomite Bantams between 1983 and ‘86 you no doubt saw Chip Swihart in action. Chip (Larry) always came to the game and practices, pumped to play. He began as a defenseman but by 1986 he was a winger because of his good “wheels.” He always gave 110% as he didn’t want to face super hockey-mom, Sue, at home. Sue was the consummate fan and team supporter. Sadly, Sue passed on a short time ago but would be proud of her son’s contributions to hockey over the past number of years. Swihart has lived in Indiana for some time now with wife Candace and two hockey-playing sons. He contributes and gives back to the game now as a high school coach.
The team is in Laporte, Indiana and plays out of the Notre Dame famous, South Bend location. Larry has the added enjoyment of having both sons on the Varsity team. To top it off his squad has recently won the Indiana 1A State Championship in 2015. The team, the Valpo High School Vikings, play in the Michiana Secondary school League where they are a powerhouse. Older son Jacob plays defense and clocks in at 6 ft. and 202 lbs. He’s a mobile d-man with a crushing body check. The school website highlights three of his better hits. Keep your head up in the Valpo end with Jacob on patrol.
Younger brother Ben is a sophomore forward. Lacking the size of his brother he uses speed and smarts to accomplish his goals. Ben is 5ft 8 in and weighs in at 131 lbs. but he plays all 200 feet of ice. Congrats Chipper on your continuing contributions to our greatest sport.
Sport chips!
A belated congratulations to MacKenzie Shigwadja on being a contributing member of the All-Ontario Midget Ladies lacrosse Champs this past summer in August. MacKenzie suited up for the St. Catherine’s Athletics.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to prolific Jr. A Rookie Greg Trudeau Paquet as he suffered a broken wrist recently and will miss at least 6 weeks. Greg was leading the French River Rapids in scoring when he was sidelined with the fracture. Heal quickly Greg. Don’t forget to do the therapy!
Most Island hockey fans are aware that Little Current’s Don McCulloch played in the World Hockey Association but how many know John Gray? Mr. Gray, who was born in Little Current, also toiled in the W.H.A. In fact, John skated for 363 games counting 146 goals, 146 assists for 292 points. Not too shabby!
He also racked up 458 minutes in penalties so he was no shrinking violet. His best year was 1977-78 with the Houston Aeros (the team of the Howes) when he popped 35 goals and 23 assists for 58 pts. He also sat in the sin-bin for 80 minutes in 77 games. He played at 5 ft, 10 in and 180 lbs.. Prior to becoming pro he was a star at the University of New Hampshire from 1969-72.
Manitoulin continues their recent success at producing female goaltenders. Two of them played Dec. 9-11 in the 22nd Annual Snowflake Tournament. Dana Lewis, whose team won a tournament the previous week, won again this past weekend in Sudbury. Scores in their (Sudbury Lady Wolves Bantam A) Round-Robin games were: 1-1, .3-1 and 5-2 before downing the North Bay Ice Boltz in the championship game with a 2-0 shutout for the victory.
Meanwhile in the same tournament, M’Chigeeng’s Halli Debassige backstopped her house league team, Northern Sports Photography Crush, to the Bantam title. Halli was outstanding in the final game which was decided after an overtime and shootout win by a score of 2-1 by defeating the Sudbury Technica Wolves.
Hats off to Seth Manitowabi who led his Sudbury Bears Midgets to a tournament championship this past weekend. Seth was named MVP in the title game.
Silver Stick, gold!
Just wanted to let you know that Greyson Brewer-Case and his team the Jr. Sons won the Silver Stick for their novice AA division, defeating the Soo Peewee Selects in a very close game 1-0. These teams will meet again in Barrie at the start of January. Earlier in the tournament Greyson received game MVP.
A good sport is good for sports.
chipstoquips@gmail.com