Ice Chips to Canoe Quips
Mindemoya Classic!
The now, officially twenty-plus edition of the Mindemoya Classic was this past Sunday, as part of the Central Manitoulin Lions’ Club Homecoming Weekend. Now part of the Breakaway Sports Race Series, the Classic attracted people from all over on a perfect morning down at the ‘Government Dock’.
The fastest time for the roughly 5.5 km run, 4km paddle and 13.5km cycle was in the two-person endurance (both complete each leg) was the father-daughter team, “Grumpy and the Greenhorn” A.K.A. Kerry and Eden Abols in 76 minutes. Also strong in the Pairs Endurance was “Diminishing Returns” (Chris O’Brien and Keith Bryson), the Verlaanimals (Lindsay Moreau-Verlaan and Tim Verlaan), Starling Nest Apparel (Paul Starling and Richard Lapoint), Bibij Boys (Steve and Ben Bijij), BNM (Ben Bryan and Manon Valiquette).
Following close behind them was the fastest 2 person relay team, “Team 99”, of Sam and Rob Sutherland. The third fastest overall was the teen team of Isaac Quackenbush and Dane Gibeault in 81 minutes with the Great Ones (Alex Anstice and Caroline Black) at 86 minutes. The Sudbury Cubs Coaching Staff squad (Matthew Colton and Alex Willoughby) followed up by Bump and Ride (Julianne Falconi and Barrett Eubanks) then the West Enderz (Arlo Menzies and Colin Van Every).
The fastest solo female competitor was Hannah Brown and the fastest male was Eric Durie. Also finishing each leg, in the solo division was Lindsay Dantouze, Oliver Steedman and Steve Heidinga!
The Mixed, catch-all-division featured the Montrealers trio of Judith Caron, Ophelie Caron-Martel and Eric Martel. Not to be missed was the Dream Team of Dream Saunders who took in just the lovely Lake Mindemoya paddle!
Honourable mention was given to the youngest competitor, who, at age 9 had the fourth fastest run time of the day, Arlo Menzies. And the youngest solo competitor to complete the entire race on his own was Oliver Steedman at age 13!
Organizer, Ben Quackenbush wanted to acknowledge the all-important volunteers including Classic founder Al Haner as well as Rick Head-Peterson, Nelson Wood and Hannah Brown “for their volunteer efforts and making today happen.”
Wiikwemkoong Member taken in NHL Draft First Round!
The Philadelphia Flyers welcomed Wiikwemkoong’s own Jack Nesbitt into the fold with their 12th overall pick in the 1st round of this weekend’s 2025 NHL Entry Draft! Maybe now, local-legend, Reggie Leach, can give the youngster some tips for the Broadstreet team. Reggie, a Manitoba native still holds the record for the NHL playoff scoring record of 19 goals in just 16 games, a Canada Cup (remember that?!) winner, Conn Smythe Winner and Stanley Cup winner and is still not in the Hockey Hall of Fame!
Mindemoya Youth Softball Tournament rosters!
With 40 Teams, 87 Games in the books for last weekend’s tournament the full results were not in by press time. Here they are now!
Starting with the youngsters of the Prescott Division (ages 8 – 10), the Winners were the Gore Bay Bruisers: Alex Woods, Violet Cairns, Alec Mills, Summer Paling, Dawson Honess, Grace Corbiere, Nixon Lane, Ally Lefebvre, Bryden Wheale, Isla Case, Arlo Menzies and Blair Noble. Coaches: Kevin Mills, Tiana Mills, Mike Honess and Andrew Woods.
Lanktree Division (ages 11 – 12) Winners: Dirt & Diamonds: Bray Wassegijig, Treilyn Gonawabi, Jace Gonawabi, Danikn Peltier, Rowen Lecuyer, Shoni Chiblow,, Jacen Simon, Niibin Eibel, Aiden Corbiere, Gracie Trudeau, Howie Desjardin and Ellie Manitowabi. Coaches Ralph Gonawabi, Shannon Gonawabi, Ruby Trudeau, Jason Peltier, Chris Berthelot and Daphne Corbiere.
Love Division (ages 13 – 14) Winners: Far Out in Left Field: Nolan Duplessis, Reece Belanger, Blake Dubois, Cohen Howe, Reid Bentley, Lucas Bourcier, Emma Bouchard, Taylor Wagg, Bryn Neufeld, Adele Morris, Sophie Gagne, Bridget Colard and Emma Harris. Coaches: Cori Duplessis, Steven Neufeld and Amanda Bentley.
King Division (ages 15 – 16) Winners: Dockhounds: Kaci Lariviere, Reid Martin, Trinity Cheechoo, Ethan Ense, Kayla Lockeyer, Logan O’Shaughnessy, Brynn Best, Jaxson Chatwell, Brinn Watson, Max King, Charmaine Webkamigad and Lowell Huskinson. Coaches: Christa King, Chris King, Krystal Harper and Troy Chatwell.
Lockeyer Division (ages 17 – 19) Winners: Clear Lakers: Ethan Leblanc, Kailyn McDougall, Regan Houle, Rylee Patreau, Ashton Clement, Andi Sokoloski, Micah Jacques, Payton Sokoloski, Andy Parker, Cierra Sokoloski, Ethan Hatcher and Delayna Rantanen. Coaches: Dan Leblanc, Kelly Paradis, Dave Parker and Michell Parker.
