MONTRÉAL, Que. – Hockey Canada honoured nine community leaders from across the country during an awards banquet Friday night, held as part of the governing body’s 91st annual general meeting at the Westin Montréal.

The award winners included André Ricard of Trois-Rivières, Que., who has been named the 2010 Outstanding Volunteer. For 11 seasons, Ricard has been president of Hockey Mauricie, which oversees 17 minor hockey associations, as well as 22 tournaments and four festivals annually. He has also helped host and promote both national and international events, including the 2001 National Women’s Under-18 Challenge and the 2008 IIHF World Championship, among many other accomplishments within the hockey world.

The nine award winners are as follows:

Female Hockey Breakthrough Award (outstanding contribution to advancing female hockey)

- Julianne Fuller (Inuvik, N.W.T.)

Liz MacKinnon Award (special contributions of a Hockey Canada volunteer’s spouse)

- Rose Delparte (Calgary, Alta.)

Hal Lewis Award (Hockey Canada staff person who best exemplifies the spirit of the organization)

- Lesley Reddon (Calgary, Alta.)

Gordon Juckes Award (outstanding contribution to the development of amateur hockey at the national level)

- Harley Hotchkiss (Calgary, Alta.)

Officiating Award (outstanding contribution to officiating at the branch and national level)

- Ian Heather (Winnipeg, Man./Hockey Manitoba)

Hockey Canada Order of Merit – Atlantic (an individual who has served amateur hockey faithfully)

- Joe Maynard (Flatrock, N.L../Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador)

Hockey Canada Order of Merit – Central (an individual who has served amateur hockey faithfully)

- Don Yeck (Belmont, Ont./Ontario Hockey Federation)

Hockey Canada Order of Merit – West (an individual who has served amateur hockey faithfully)

- Sheldon Lanchbery (Deloraine, Man./Hockey Manitoba)

Outstanding Volunteer Award (outstanding volunteer work in amateur hockey and Hockey Canada)

- André Ricard (Trois-Rivières, Que./Hockey Québec)

Nominations for all awards were submitted by Hockey Canada’s 13 member branches and the winners were chosen by Hockey Canada’s officers of the board, or the appropriate Hockey Canada council. The success of minor hockey associations in Canada depends heavily on volunteers and Hockey Canada is pleased to recognize the individuals who contribute greatly to the game of hockey across the country.

More than 250 representatives from regional and provincial hockey associations are in Montréal for Hockey Canada’s 91st AGM, which started Thursday, May 27 and wraps up Sunday, May 30.

For more information on Hockey Canada’s annual general meeting and full biographies of all of the award winners, go to www.hockeycanada.ca.

Thursday night the McCoys, champions of Major League Hockey, the Robertson Cup final, and the Renwick Cup championship will hold an open practice at 7:30 p.m. After practice, everyone is invited to gather for pop and munchies, see and get their picture with the JR Robertson Cup, and send off the players for a third consecutive Allan Cup Tournament appearance at Fort St. John, BC from April 19 to 24th.

When the puck drops for the Allan Cup, the Real McCoys will face off against the South East Prairie Thunder on Tuesday, April 20th and again on Wednesday April 21st against the Powell River, BC Regals.

The Real McCoys won two games straight in the Fort William Gardens by scores of 2-1 and 4-1, and now advance to the Allan Cup for a third consecutive year, this time at Fort St. John, B.C.

Despite going down a goal early in game one of the Renwick Cup, the Real McCoys tenacity led to a tying goal in the third period by Justin Davis and the game-winner by forward Ryan Christie against the Thistles in the opening game of the Renwick Cup last Friday. With the win, the McCoys took a 1-0 lead in the series.

Christie, who played in the National Hockey League with the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames, scored with 13 minutes left to hand the McCoys the victory. Mike Greaves replied for the Thistles.

Just as it has been all through the post-season, Dundas’ defence-first mentality led to minimal scoring opportunities for the Thistles, and allowed the Real McCoys to capitalize on their chances.

After the win in game one, Dundas never took its foot off the gas. The Real McCoys proved to be too much for Kenora in the second game, winning going away on goals by Mike Amodeo, Tom Brown, Dan Pitre, and Rob DeCiantis, and hoisted the Renwick Cup.

“Well, Turple was huge for us again in goal. He is giving the people a chance to win every game. The boys played very strong defensively and that allowed us to be the stronger team,” said Real McCoys head coach Ken Mann.

When the puck drops for the Allan Cup, the Real McCoys will face off against the South East Prairie Thunder on Tuesday, April 20th and again on Wednesday April 21st when they battle the Powell River, BC Regals.

“It’s our third year in a row playing in the Allan Cup and we know how tough the competition will be. We’re confident with where our game is at right now and all we can continue to do is stick to the game plan,” added Mann.

The Allan Cup begins on Monday, April 19th. The complete schedule follows:
Mon, Apr. 19 Powell River Regals (BC) vs South East Prairie Thunder (West) 2:00 PM
Mon, Apr. 19 Bentley Generals (Alberta) vs Fort St. John Flyers (Host) 8:00 PM

Tue, Apr. 20 South East Prairie Thunder (West) vs Dundas Real McCoys (Central) 2:00 PM
Tue, Apr. 20 Fort St. John Flyers (Host) vs Clarenville Caribous (Atlantic) 8:00 PM

Wed, Apr. 21 Dundas Real McCoys (Central) vs Powell River Regals (BC) 2:00 PM
Wed, Apr. 21 Clarenville Caribous (Atlantic) vs Bentley Generals (Alberta) 8:00 PM

Thur, Apr. 22 3rd in Division 2 vs 2nd in Division 1 2:00 PM
Thur, Apr. 22 3rd in Division 1 vs 2nd in Division 2 8:00 PM

Fri, Apr. 23 TBA vs Champion of Division 1 2:00 PM
Fri, Apr. 23 TBA vs Champion of Division 2 8:00 PM

Sat, Apr. 24 Allan Cup Final (Teams TBA) - LIVE ON TSN2 2:00 PM

As well, it looks like all the Allan Cup games will be broadcast over the internet via Moose FM in Fort St. John.

Go to www.allancup.ca and follow the broadcast link in the left menu panel.

“I think our guys are glad to get this round-robin over with. Now we can get down to business,” said Coach Ken Mann. Entering the game, the Real McCoys knew they would be playing a championship series against the Whitby Dunlops.

Dundas will face the Dunlops in game two of their best-of-seven series tomorrow (Friday) night at 7:45 p.m. in the JL Grightmire Arena.

The winner will be crowned the John Ross Robertson Cup champions and move on to play fthe winner of the Northern final in Thunder Bay between Kenora Thunder Bay. The winner of that series moves on to the Allan Cup at Fort St. John, British Columbia in April.

“We’re good enough to beat (Whitby), if we’re willing to go that extra mile,” said Mann.

The Real McCoys have struggled against Whitby this season including a 7-5 loss last Friday night in the Grightmire Arena. Dundas is 1-3 against the Dunnies in the playoffs. “If our guys are willing to sacrifice and play hard, we’ll be fine,” added Mann.


Ryan Christie celebrates as Rob DeCiantis’ shot beats Whitby goaltender Anthony Marshall last Friday. Whitby defeated Dundas 7-5.

Rob DeCiantis started Dundas off on the right track last Friday, opening the scoring with a powerplay goal. Team captain Mike Kennedy scored next for the McCoys, and after the two teams traded goals in the last four minutes of the period, Dundas had a 3-1 lead.

Shawn Shewchuk got one of the goals for Dundas.

The game continued in Dundas’ favour entering the second as Justin Davis scored the first goal of the middle frame. Dundas then went on the powerplay, but the momentum began to change.

Whitby’s Shane Terry intercepted a pass at the blue line and skated in alone on Real McCoy goaltender, Dan Turple. Terry showed some fancy stickhandling and scored on an unassisted breakaway, which started his club on the comeback trail.

JR Holmes, Colin Baker, and Jon Ross scored consecutively giving Whitby its first lead entering the third period. David Silverstone assisted on all three goals.

Frank Grandits tied the game at five as he scored first in the third period. From that point on Whitby’s goalie, Anthony Marshall would not allow another Dundas goal to preserve the win for which he made 21 saves.

Andrew Gibbons scored what proved to be the game-winning goal, with assists going to Holmes and Ross. Adam Van Dam sealed the victory with 11 seconds left in the game.

Sunday against Norwood, Ryan Christie scored the first goal of the game on a powerplay. Christie continued to show his offensive talents by scoring another shorthanded with one second left in the opening period for a 2-1 Dundas lead.

Norwood’s Adrian Wilson managed to tie the game on the powerplay as he opened the scoring in the second. Then Dundas opened the floodgates, scoring four unanswered goals including the first of three by Kennedy. Shewchuk contributed another, and David McNab scored back-to-back goals to end the period. Dundas led 6-2 at that point.

Four more goals came off the sticks of the Real McCoys in the third period of a game in which Dundas outshot their opponent 40-24. Dundas’ David Russell scored 37 seconds into the final frame, and newly acquired Scott Charbonneau followed.

Jordan Freeland got on the board for Norwood, but it was too little too late in a game dominated by Dundas. Kennedy scored the final two goals of the game, giving him the hat trick.

The Real McCoys played host to Norwood Vipers last Friday night in the JL Grightmire Arena where tough defense and solid goaltending led them to a 6-3 victory. Saturday was not kind to the McCoys even though they were they were involved in the “Gotta Be Dundas Kraft Hockeyville” celebrations during the day. Dundas skated into Whitby with just 12 skaters and was downed 4-1 by the Dunlops.



The search for Kraft Hockeyville 2010 continues for Dundas with CBC/Kraft Hockeyville team travelling to communities across Canada in search of Hockeyville, Canada 2010. The Valley Town is currently battling for one of the prized top 12 positions where voting will then take place in a weeks time to award a winner.


David Shoalts, left, Globe and Mail sports columnist, and former Dundas Real McCoy, Rick Vaive are flanked by the Dundas Hockey Moose, left, and McCoys President and General Manager Don Robertson during Saturday’s Gotta Be Hockeyville celebrations.

CBC Hockey Night in Canada crew was in Dundas relishing in the great hockey community that Dundas has to offer. Former Real McCoys Rick Vaive and Todd Harvey took part is the festivities, and reminded the on-lookers to remember to vote for Dundas as their choice for Kraft Hockeyville 2010.

Last Friday, Real McCoys displayed just how lethal they can be with the man advantage as they netted three power-play goals on seven opportunities. At the other end, Dundas’ stifling defence prevented the Vipers from getting anything going on the power play and stopped all five of Norwood’s manpower advantages.

Ryan Christie (24), Norwood Viper goalie Ryan Aschaber and defender Steve Thomas do their version of a rugby scrum as each tries to search for the puck. Dundas won 6-3.

It was a big night for Real McCoys forward Ryan Christie, who led the club with two goals and two assists for a four-point night. Rob DeCiantis also potted two goals while Rod Hinks and Jerry Galway added singles.

“It was a slow start for the guys out of the gate, but as the game progressed we really capitalized on our opportunities and that’s what led us to victory,” said Dundas Real McCoys head coach Ken Mann.

Riding high on that momentum, the Real McCoys looked to carry it over to Saturday when they travelled to Whitby to face-off against their rival, the Dunlops. Legs got in the way though as Dundas had just 12 skaters dressed for the match.

In spite of recording 33 shots on goal, the Real McCoys couldn’t solve Whitby goaltender Chad Ford. Sam Hurst scored the lone goal for Dundas in the 4-1 loss.

“It was a tough game for us. Having only 12 skaters, it demanded a lot out of our guys,” added Mann. “Destiny lies in our hands at this point, we can’t worry about Whitby or Norwood, we need to get our game to where it needs to be, and worry about the other teams later.”

The Real McCoys have two games remaining in round-robin play against Whitby and Norwood in order to clinch top spot and a birth in the Robertson Cup championship final. Whitby plays at Dundas tomorrow night (Friday) at 7:45 p.m., and Sunday Dundas winds up the series at Norwood at 7:15 p.m. in the Asphodel-Norwood Arena.

In other series action, Whitby was scheduled to play at Norwood Tuesday night before playing the second game of the home and home set Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the Iroquois Sports Complex.

“We still have some work to do,” added Mann whose team will continue play against the Norwood Vipers tomorrow night (Friday) in Dundas’ JL Grightmire Arena. Game time is 7:45 p.m.

Dundas defeated the Whitby Dunlops 3-2 last Friday and bettered the Vipers 6-3 on Sunday for an overall record of 3-1 in the playoffs thus far.

“All the young guys came in and worked really hard for us,” Mann said about Dundas getting six goals from five different players in Sunday’s victory.

Last Friday’s game started with a powerplay goal from Whitby’s Peter MacKellar. The Real McCoys Mike Kennedy was able to tie the game with assists going to Shawn Shewchuk and Justin Davis. Dundas took the lead one minute and 14 seconds later with a goal from newcomer Rod Hinks.

Both offences struggled to get going in the second period. There was no scoring and there were only six shots on goal, five by Dundas, and one by Whitby.

Dundas’ last goal, the game-winner, resembled the club’s first with Kennedy scoring his second of the night assisted by Shewchuk and Davis.


The puck shoots high as Dundas Real McCoys netminder Dan Turple foils an attempt by Ron Baker of the Whitby Dunlops last Friday night. Dundas won the game 3-2.

Dan Turple was excellent in preserving the win for Dundas. Whitby blasted 12 shots, including a final minute flurry, in the third period. Turple stopped 21 of 23 shots for the victory.

Norwood’s Jody Fitzgerald opened the scoring in Sunday’s contest. Pat Montgomery and Ryan Courtney assisted on the first period’s lone goal.

The second period belonged to Dundas as the Real McCoys’ John Neal scored on the powerplay just 37 seconds into the frame. JJ Martin and Frank Grandits added a goal each giving Dundas a 3-1 lead entering the third period.

Fitzgerald scored again to open the third, and with Viper Adrian Wilson replying on a powerplay to tie the score at three. The two teams battled back-and-forth until Martin broke the tie with a powerplay goal for Dundas. Shewchuk and Davis added empty net goals to seal the victory. Bryan Worosz starred in net for the Real McCoys stopping 26 of 29 shots.

Dundas played host to the Norwood Vipers last Friday night, and put on an offensive showcase, winning 8-3, unfortunately they were hammered the following night 9-2 at Whitby by the Dunlops.

The Real McCoys are looking for redemption tomorrow night (Friday) as they take on the Dunlops in the JL Grightmire Arena. Game time is 7:45 p.m. The McCoys will play Norwood on Sunday, February 28 at 7:15 p.m. in the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre.

The Norwood Vipers bench was in awe of this special delivery shot from the faceoff by Frank Grandits (21) of Dundas last Friday night in the opening game of the Major League Hockey round-robin playoff series.

Dundas did not seem to lose a step from the regular season as Shawn Shewchuk, who knotted two goals and three assists, highlighted the offensive surge. Rob DeCiantis and Ryan Christie (three goals) combined for five goals, while the Real McCoys stifling defense held the Vipers to zero shots in the first period. Frank Grandits had the other goal.

Emotions were running high on both benches in the game that saw 26 penalties handed out. The Real McCoys kept their composure however, and poured on 44 shots by the final buzzer.

It was a clutch win for Dundas, who had little time to rest before they headed to Whitby this past Saturday to face-off against the rival Dunlops. The Real McCoys looked fatigued as the game went progressed as they allowed nine goals in a lop-sided loss.

“Friday we played strong and won the one on one battles. Saturday we just got hammered–we got outplayed all over the ice. Whitby let us know it’s a different season in the playoffs,” said Real McCoys General Manager Don Robertson. “The guys were fatigued from the night before, but you can’t make excuses in the post-season.”

Whitby’s offense proved to be too much for the McCoys, who gave up two short-handed goals late in the third period, to put salt in the wound. Justin Davis and Jeremy Bloomfield scored the lone goals for Dundas.

The Real McCoys lacked the offensive chemistry they had in last Friday’s victory over Norwood and only capitalized on one of 11 powerplay opportunities.

That night skate against the third place Norwood Vipers in the opening game of the Ontario Hockey Association Senior AAA double round robin playoff to determine which two teams will faceoff against each other in the best-of-seven John Ross Robertson Cup championship series.

Friday’s action in the JL Grightmire Arena gets underway at 7:45 p.m. The following night, the McCoys will be in the home of their archrivals, Whitby Dunlops for a 3:30 p.m. tilt in the Iroquois Park Sports Complex.

The complete playoff schedule follows:

Saturday’s event was an attempt to raise money for Mac Kids Hospital, with $5 dollars per ticket sold going toward the cause. Dundas joined forces with HECFI, and spectators were able to purchase a Real McCoys ticket, and redeem it for a ticket to the Hamilton Bulldogs’ “Pink in the Rink” game later that night. The Bulldogs were raising money to give to the fight against Breast Cancer.

“The playoffs are here and anyone can win at this point. There are three good teams in this round-robin,” said Robertson. The playoffs begin tomorrow (Friday), February 19, as Dundas plays host to the Norwood Vipers at 7:45 p.m. in Dundas’ JL Grightmire Arena. The McCoys then will travel to Whitby to face-off against the second-place Dunlops for a matinee game at 3:30 p.m. in the afternoon.

The playoffs are a double round-robin format where teams will play each other four times. Then the two top teams will play a best-of-seven John Ross Robertson Cup championship series to decide who will compete in the Allan Cup Tournament at Fort Saint John, British Columbia in April.

Fans will see several new faces on the ice for Dundas come playoff season. Veteran Mark Jooris, has returned upfront and will be joined by former Burlington Cougars forward Rod Hinks. Hinks is a veteran of the American Hockey League. On defence, the McCoys have added Rob Maric and Dave Russell. Jooris is the coach of the first place Burlington Cougars Provincial Junior A hockey club.

Shawn Shewchuk scored the first two goals in Dundas’ rout of Orillia last Friday night. Shewchuk went on to score a shorthanded and a powerplay goal as well as drawing an assist in the third period for a five-point night. Teammate Ryan Christie had five points of his own, with four goals, including a natural hat trick in the first period alone. Shewchuk and Christie received the game’s first and second stars respectively. Hinks, Justin Davis, JJ Martin, Mark Jooris, and Mike Amodeo scored once each to round out the scoring.

Real McCoys’ goalie, Dan Turple, helped his team by assisting the game’s first goal as well as stopping 31 of the 36 shots fired his way. Dundas won the game despite being outshot 36 to 33.

The Tundra’s Ron Bertrand was relieved of goaltending duties after allowing six goals on 13 shots. Alessandro Lupo, who made 12 saves on the 20 shots thrown at him, replaced Bertrand.

Dundas’ John Neal scored the second period’s lone goal, tying the game at one goal apiece.

The line of Ryan (Manny) Kuwabara, Ryan Christie, and Nick Smith took over in the third period, with each player scoring for Dundas. Shewchuk contributed with a goal, and with Orillia only scoring once (Jeff Blackburn) as Dundas won the game. Smith finished atop the MLH scoring race with 47 points (19-28) in 17 games. A total of six of the McCoys including Smith finished in the top 10 in League scoring.