Referees required!
Right across the region the NOHA has a desperate need for referees. Specifically, Manitoulin is going to be in a difficult situation if more referees are not recruited. There is nothing more disappointing to players when their game needs to be postponed because there are no officials available. It will be inevitable that it will happen more often this season without more of these critical people of hockey.
The NOHA is also reminding referees to get their online course done so they’re ready for the on-ice clinic in October.
Hockey registrations, please!
In the same vein, parents need to get their kids’ names into their local associations. It is essential for your executives to see if they can ice a team for a certain division, but it can also prevent heartache. This has likely already happened for players hoping to play for the Mindemoya Thunder U-13 Team because it is now full and there is only a waiting list for those players.
Due to the NOHA allowing players from any geographical area to register for a team there has to be a first-come-first-served situation. Get your player registered right away to prevent similar situations.
Up in Gore Bay the Bruins are putting out their push as well. Their early-bird registration fees will be ending soon and have a couple of teams still looking for numbers. They also remind people returning empties to donate to the return depot on Hwy 540B. With businesses scaling back their returns’ policies, what a great opportunity for teams to make this one of their volunteer, fundraising efforts!
Panther Points
The Manitoulin Panthers have begun practicing for the 2025-26 NDMHL season. This year, four teams are being iced, including a return of the U11 age group, coached by Kevin Mills. The U13 team will be lead by head coach Brandon Mailloux, the U15 team’s coach is Derek Lalonde, and former U15 coach Ryan Corbiere is making his return to Panther coaching by heading the U18 Lady Panthers squad. The Ladies begin their Northern League play in October in Kapuskasing, while the U11, U13 and U15 teams excitedly await their league schedule.
MSS MTB
The Manitoulin Mustang Mountain Bike Team has been training for a while now and their season starts tomorrow, Thursday September 18th. There are just four races as part of the SDSSAA (Sudbury District Secondary Schools Athletic Association a mouthful and a bit of a misnomer, right?) The schedule starts off in Kivi Park tomorrow and Sept. 25th in at Walden. Then, October 2nd sees the District here on Manitoulin at McLeans Park. The final race on October 10th returns to Sudbury at Kivi. Individual racers will also be riding in some of the invitational events around the province.
The Mustangs have practices after school on Wednesdays which focus mostly on the technical riding and riders of course should plan on training on their own at home to increase their fitness. The team is still accepting members and there are even team bikes available for practices on Wednesday and to use in races for those who don’t have a mountain bike of their own. If you are interested, track down their teacher-coach, Ms. Caroline Black in the halls at MSS.
Rainbow Ridge Club Championships
The 2025 two-man championships are the club’s first repeat winners by the young pairing of cousins, Noah Thorpe and Tait Wallace. The two-some sealed the win with a stellar scoring of 63 – 60 for 123. Meanwhile, the 2025 Wiikwemkoong Senior Men’s 2 Person Golf Champions are Peter Bond and Shaun Clark with a 69 – 68; 137 scoring.
The Two- Lady Champions are Roxxanne Corbiere and Ashley Debassige with a Scoring of 72 – 73 146. The Senior division was won by E.J. and Marta Murray with their 72 – 79 151 scoring.
Off-the-Rock-hockey!
Meanwhile, players signed with teams on the mainland have already been playing. Here are a few we hope to hear from over the season. Defenceman, Pahquis Trudeau and forward, Greyson Brewer-Case are signed with the Copper Cliff Reds U18AA. Pahquis is an Affiliated Player for the Espanola Paper Kings and Greyson for U18AAA Wolves!
Evander Ominika-Shawana is on defence for the U14AA Copper Cliff Reds. They had some pre-season games in Barrie this past weekend, with Evander getting a couple of assists. They played the Barrie Colts L 4-2, and New Tecumseh Tornadoes; they won 3-1 and lost 4-3.
Have a great season, all!