GORE BAY—The 42nd annual Porter Clark Purvis Thibault Memorial tournament marked a first with this year’s edition of the event held March 6-8 in Gore Bay.
“I would like to thank everyone for participating and being here this weekend,” said Nick Lane, president of the Western Manitoulin Minor Hockey Association (MMHA). “This is the first ever women’s division for this tournament. It’s been talked about for several years and hopefully this women’s division will continue for many years.”
The women’s division had four teams participating and in the final games Badlands shutout Mystery Manitoulin by a 2-0 score. Cole McLaughlin presented a plaque, “the most valuable player award plaque which is in memory of (late) coach Ken Blodgett, who is deeply missed.” The MVP award was presented to Badlands goaltender Gab Corbiere.
The Badlands team roster included Kennedy Lanktree, Hailey Prior, Shaye Ominika, Gerrilynn Manitowabi, Savannah Corbiere, Amber Lewis, Lyric Peltier, Deidre Debassige, Grace Racicot, Sonya Stencill, Cora Atichwans, Shannon Peltier and Gab Corbiere.
In the 40 plus B division final game, Team Orford defeated the Gore Bay Fossils 7-2. The championship final trophy in memory of the late Randy Thibault was presented by members of his family to Team Orford.
Team Orford roster included Travis Orford, Bob Dumond, Brad Bailey, Dan Violette, Matt Orford, Derek Green, Rob Sparling, Ryan Stewart, Jay Huck, Dustin Woods, Tyler McQuarrie, Ron Stolar, Mitchell Vokes and Bill Slaght.
In the Sportsmen B Division final, Russell Thunder defeated the Little Current Lakers in a tight knit affair, 4-3. For their efforts, the Russell Thunder team were presented with the Hiram W. Clark Memorial Trophy.
The Russell Thunder roster included, Harrison Noble, Lucas Mackan, Justin Lockeyer, Nick Martin, Sheldon Campbell, Tanner Argue, Tyler Argue, Dustin Peltier, Tyler Karn, Brandon Pfeiffer, Brandon Orford, Geoff Karn, Brendan Pheasant, Tristen Argue and Matt Babeau.
The 40 A division final saw Team Blodgett shutting out M’Chigeeng by a 9-0 score. “New this year is the MVP award in memoir of Kevin Beetle Bailey, for all his contributions to minor hockey here and around the Island over the years,” said Mr. Lane.
Patricia Bailey presented the MVP award to Chris King of the Blodgett team.
The Platt Purvis Memorial Trophy was presented Team Blodgett, whose roster included goaltender Chad Chevrette, Mark Sanchez, Troy Chatwell, Kurtis Noble, Jeff Huck, Kyle Noble, Luke Little, Curt Flanagan, Scott McDougall (who missed the final game due to an injury), Roger Hayden, Andre Lemonti, Perry Cuomo, Chris King and Darren Brown.
In the final game of the tournament, Bud Knights beat the Jager Bombers team in the Sportsman A division final game and were awarded with the Godfrey Porter Memorial Trophy. The Rick Rayner Memorial MVP award was presented to Bud Knights goaltender Mitch Orford, by members of the Rayner family.
Members of the Porter family presented the championship trophy. “unfortunately, this year we are missing one very valuable person Eldene Longhurst, keep in our thoughts at this time,” said Mr. Lane.
The Bud Knights roster included Mitch Orford, Stacy Rayner, Dustin Niclassen, Cody Dingman, Johnny Bushey, Garrett Gouge, Chase Nelson, Jeff Crawford, Jaimie Hainse, Liam Gray, Darin Duchene, Aidan Case, Nate Morrell, Kurtis Noble.
Mr. Lane noted after each final game played that, “all the proceeds raised from the tournament go back to minor hockey to keep fees low so that everyone who wants to play hockey, has the opportunity to.”
“We appreciate all the teams and fans travelling here for the tournament and we look forward to seeing all of you every year,” said Mr. Lane. “We would like to also thank all our referees and linesmen, without them there would not be a tournament, timekeepers and volunteers for all their efforts this weekend.”
