Windsor Bids for 2011 Memorial Cup - Your Help Is Needed.

The Windsor Sports Scene by In Play!
In Play Magazine

Windsor Spitfires and City of Windsor ask Windsor and Essex County Area Residents and Fans to Show Their Support for the Spitfires 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup Bid

(Windsor) At a press conference conducted earlier today at the Mayor’s Office in downtown Windsor, the Windsor Spitfires and the City of Windsor put a call out to Windsor and Essex County area residents, and fans to show their support for the Spitfires 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup Bid.

Residents and fans are encouraged to enter their name and bid support comments on the “2011 Support the Bid” link POSTED BELOW. The goal is to have 25,000 names and accompanying support comments by February 1, 2010 supporting the bid to bring this prestigious event to the City of Windsor.

Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis offered the following comment on this new and unique initiative to support the Spitfires bid for the 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup, “this is a very exciting opportunity and we look forward to supporting the bid as we attempt to secure this memorable and unique championship.”

Windsor Spitfires Governor Peter Dobrich added the following, “through today’s announcement, the Windsor Spitfires and the City of Windsor are looking forward to receiving support for our Memorial Cup Bid from the best city in the Canadian Hockey League here in Windsor and Essex County. We strongly urge the Windsor and Essex County community to rally with us and participate in supporting the bid. We are certain that the great people in our community and the surrounding area will step up to the plate as they always have done in the past for every event or cause that comes to our region. We look forward to carrying on the momentum from the success achieved by our hockey club last season and, along with our goal of securing 25,000 names and support comments through the “Support the Bid” initiative, hopefully someday having the opportunity to host the 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup here in Windsor.”

This year’s edition of the MasterCard Memorial Cup will be hosted in Brandon, Manitoba by the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. The Windsor Spitfires are the reigning and defending 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup Champions, becoming the first team in the tournament’s history to come back from an 0-2 deficit to win four consecutive games, including a 4-1 victory over the Kelowna Rockets in the Championship Final of the 91st edition of the MasterCard Memorial Cup.

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Hall, Ellis Score Goals as Team Canada’s Junior National Team

The Windsor Sports Scene by In Play!
In Play Magazine

Defeats Team Sweden 6-2 in 2010 IIHF WJHC Pre-Tournament Game

REGINA, SK – Team Canada took to the ice tonight for the first of its three 2010 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship Pre-Tournament Games against Team Sweden in Regina, Saskatchewan. Windsor Spitfires forward Taylor Hall opened the game’s scoring for Team Canada 10:48 into the first period to give Canada a 1-0, with Spitfire teammate Greg Nemisz assisting on the goal. Jordan Caron and Brandon Kozun would also score goals for Team Canada in the first period as the host Canadians took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.

Team Canada would extend its lead to 4-0 on the power play, as Travis Harmonic scored the lone goal of the game’s second period 3:10 into the frame. Canada increased their lead to 5-0 as Windsor Spitfire defenceman Ryan Ellis scored on the power play 3:25 into the third period and Team Canada cruised to a 6-2 victory. Carl Klingberg and Jacob Silfverberg netted goals for Team Sweden later in the third period while Jordan Eberle scored Canada’s sixth and final goal.

Taylor Hall left the game after the first period and did return as he suffered a lower body injury. His injury was not serious in nature and he was held out of the game for precautionary reasons.

Team Canada will play their second pre-tournament game against Team Finland on Tuesday, December 22nd in Calgary, Alberta at 9 pm EST and their third and final game against Team Czechoslovakia the following day at 7 pm EST in Regina, Saskatchewan. Both games will be broadcast live on TSN.

Team Canada will open their 2010 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship tournament schedule as they take on Team Latvia at 4 pm EST on Saturday, December 26th in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This game will also be broadcast live on TSN.

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CANADIAN JUNIOR TEAM FALLS 4-2 TO CIS ALL STARS IN EXHIBITION PLAY

The Windsor Sports Scene by In Play!
In Play Magazine

REGINA - Steven DaSilva scored twice in the third period as the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Saskatchewan All-Stars upset the Canadian junior team 4-2 in exhibition play Tuesday night before 3,329 at Brandt Arena.


Chris Durand had a goal and two assists and Brennan Bosch also scored for the CIS.

Philippe Cornet of Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and defenceman Dylan Olsen of the University of Minnesota-Duluth scored for Canada, who outshot the students 38-23 but were stoned by their own goaltenders, who played for both teams.

After two intrasquad games earlier this week, it was the last chance for the juniors to impress the coaches and management before the 22-man team roster for the world junior championship is announced on Wednesday, but few stood out in this contest.

They rested eight of the 31 players remaining in camp - all of them strong bets to make the squad.

The CIS team was made up of players from the universities of Regina and Saskatchewan, most of them former Western Hockey League players, and gave the juniors a test with their experience and energy.

Also, Team Canada goalies Matt Hackett of the Plymouth Whalers, Olivier Roy of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Martin Jones of the Calgary Hitmen each played two periods one for each team - and took turns frustrating their teammates.

Canada looked to be in control until running into penalty trouble in the third period.

Only seven seconds into a holding call on Cody Eakin of the Swift Current Broncos, DaSilva one-timed a pass from the slot past Roy to put the CIS in the lead at 7:35.

DaSilva got behind the defence and beat Roy with a high shot to seal the victory with 2:34 left to play.

The students scored first, as Durand's shot from the right side of the net slid under Hackett 8:36 into the game. Meanwhile, Roy stoned his teammates in the net, stopping Nazem Kadri of the London Knights on a breakaway in the final minute of the period.

Canada outshot the CIS 14-1 in the second frame, but the students scored on their only shot as Bosch got a return pass from Steve Gillen and banged it past Jones at 6:28.

Canada struck back 44 seconds later as Cornet was at the net to backhand the rebound of a Tyler Cuma shot past Hackett. Olsen tied it at 14:42 when he got a piece of Windsor Spitfire Taylor Hall's pass and it ducked inside Hackett's far post.

The juniors played with desperation but no finish in the third period. There were blazing rushes from Hall and Brandon Kozun of the Hitmen, and Adam Henrique of Windsor got in alone only to shoot over the net.

Defenceman Colten Teubert was the only one of six returning players from last year's world juniors to dress, and he was named captain for the game.

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NHL Race Relations with Darren Banks

By AJ Petronzi
In Play Magazine
Feature Article
December 2009

Darren Banks. Photo Courtesy the Boston Bruins

In Play! sat down with now retired NHL enforcer Darren Banks to talk about racism in the NHL, what the league has done to diversify the sport of hockey and his contributions to the game at the minor league level. Banks also talks about the “Hockey in the Hood” program started by Willie O’Ree who was the first black player in the NHL and played his first game in 1958. Banks played 20 games in his NHL from 1992-1994, all with the Boston Bruins. Banks was best known as an enforcer, averaging almost four penalty minutes a game in his career. Banks is originally from Toronto but now resides in Windsor, Ontario.

So grab on and hold on!

In Play! – Darren, you played 20 games and had two goals, two assists and 73 penalty minutes. You obviously were an enforcer; did you enjoy your role out on the ice?

Darren Banks – Of course, that was the one way I knew I was going to play in the league was doing that. It took me three years; my first three years were in the minors, when I played in Salt Lake trying to make it up for Calgary. You know different circumstances, I didn’t make it up with Calgary but the following year I made it up with Boston. I knew it was a way for me to play in the league and it’s what I enjoyed to do.

IP – Even today, in the NHL, there are not many black players, and when you played it was even more rare. Did you ever encounter any racism in the NHL or even in the minors?

DM – You know, not any more than a French guy would get teased about being French. It wasn’t really prevalent, and if you’re a smart hockey player you’re not going to antagonize a guy who’s a fighter. If I had been a goal scorer I think it might have been a little different, you’re not going to antagonize a fighter, because he’ll kick your head in. I didn’t run into a lot of it, a little here and there, but the guys who are going to pull that stuff are a bit of an asshole anyway.

Read the complete article HERE.

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WMHA Benefit Event This Saturday.

The Windsor Sports Scene by In Play!
In Play Magazine

This Saturday November 28th, between 8a.m. and 4p.m. (at the Canadian Tire store on Walker Rd a proud sponsor of the WMHA), the midget AE travel team will be working a special Tag Day for the Southpoint midget AE player who lost everything to a house fire last week.

The Windsor midget AE team plays Southpoint on December 5th at home where the Windsor players will be giving 100% of the money raised to this player so that he can purchase some of the items (most teenagers have) that he lost.

Please get the word out to get support for this event. If you know of anyone that can help, they don't have to go to Canadian Tire to buy anything, they just have to drive up to give a donation.

I know this will be greatly appreciated by the player and his family.


Please visit http://www.wmha.net/ for more info on this story

With sportsmanship in mind.
Thanks Always,

Ken Strong
V.P. House Major &
Head Coach Midget AE Travel
Windsor Minor Hockey Association

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Windsor Olympic Torchbearer Named

The Windsor Sports Scene by In Play!
By Jack Rosenberg
In Play Magazine

Tonight the 2010 Olympic Torchbearer for the Windsor leg of the nationwide relay was named at the city's "Together We Triumph" Gala at Caesars Windsor in the Augustus Ballroom.

And Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis announced that, person would be Matthew Charbonneau.

Who is Matthew Charbonneau you may ask?

You will remember that last year Matthew's older brother Cpl. Andrew Grenon was the first Windsor soldier killed September 3, 2008 fighting to rid the world of terrorism in Afghanistan.

To honour Grenon the City of Windsor has chosen his younger brother Mathew Charbeneau to light the cauldron on day 55 of the nationwide Olympic celebration which will culminate in downtown Windsor at the River front Plaza on December 23.

Mathew and his mother Theresa Charbonneau Photo by Jack Rosenberg

Cpl. Grenon was only 23 years old and he was a member of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry serving in Afghanistan. Pictured here are Mathew and his mother Theresa Charbonneau.

The night's announcement included speeches by former Windsor Spitfire and NHL great Adam Graves, Spitfire Head Coach and former NHLer Bob Boughner, Canadian Paralympian Sledge Hockey Champion Ray Grassi, Mayor Eddie Francis and keynote speaker Red Wings Head Coach Mike Babcock.

It was a late night (10pm) for the gala's emcee, AM800's Steve Bell, he joked with the audience he has to get up for work at 3 am...we here at Biz X and In Play just start rocking and rolling then!! its when we get our finest work done!!

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Throwing Bombs

The Windsor Sports Scene by In Play!
By Andrew Wong
In Play Magazine

The Ontario Boxing Championships were held in Windsor this past weekend starting last Thursday to a capacity record of boxers in Windsor.

This was the Biggest Ontario Championships since boxing was incepted into the province. The big event was held at the Holiday Inn Select and had some of Ontario's best boxers competed to earn a spot on the provincials and hopefully the Olympics.

Some of the locals fighters who participated were two gold medal winners from...
Windsor Amateur Boxing Club
Kevin Guenette
Jessica McRae

Border City
Shelby Bialkowski and Pawel Zep

East Side
Justin Hocko.


The major sponsor for the event was Andy Hui's website Throwing Bombs...the logo could be seen on all 
t-shirts of the Ontario championship and all the names of the participants.
 
The event was a Big success for the area, bringing in more than 24 clubs from around Ontario with Oshawa's Big Tyme Boxing Club bringing in 18 boxers to participate in this years event; the most of any club.
 

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Jorge Britto Invades Maximum Fitness Centre Windsor!

The Windsor Sports Scene by In Play!
By Chris Lucas
In Play Magazine

Maximum Fitness Centre held a seminar on Brazilian Jiujitsu and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) featuring Jorge Britto, 2009 Brazilian Jujitsu PAN American Master Champion at their facility located at 3850 Dougall Avenue in Windsor.

This was the first time Britto held a seminar in Canada. He was accompanied by Thomas Beach and Brown Belt Edwardo, to help teach students at the seminar.

“The event was a total success,” says Rino Belcastro, Co-Owner of Maximum Fitness Centre. “We were very excited to host Britto.

Article continues

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Spitfires Win Third Straight, Defeating Owen Sound Attack 6-3 in Owen Sound

Saturday, September 26, 2009
Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre

Final Score
Windsor Spitfires 6
Owen Sound Attack 3

Scoring Summary
1st Period
1. Windsor – Taylor Hall, (1) (Cundari), 5:23 (SH)
2. Windsor – Adam Henrique, (2) (Hall, Nemisz), 12:06
3. Owen Sound – Garrett Wilson, (4) (McGurk), 16:41
4. Windsor – Greg Nemisz, (4) (Ellis, Henrique), 19:10 (PP)

2nd Period
1. Windsor – Greg Nemisz, (5) (Ellis, Fowler), 6:01 (PP)
2. Owen Sound – Geoffrey Schemitsch, (1) (Mignardi, Doczy), 14:42 (PP)
3. Windsor – Justin Shugg, (4) (Fowler) 17:42 (PP)

3rd Period
1. Owen Sound – Bobby Mignardi, (3) (Lomas, Schemitsch) 3:59
2. Windsor – Eric Wellwood, (1) (Unassisted) 19:18 (EN)

Scoring Summary
1st 2nd 3rd O/T Total
Windsor 3 2 1 - 6
Owen Sound 1 1 1 - 3

Three Stars
1. Windsor - #64 Greg Nemisz
2. Owen Sound - #26 Geoffrey Schemitsch
3. Windsor - #24 Cam Fowler

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Windsor Spitfires Defeat Guelph Storm 5-2

Friday, September 25, 2009
Sleeman Centre

Final Score
Windsor Spitfires 5
Guelph Storm 2

Scoring Summary

1st Period
No scoring

2nd Period
Guelph – Peter Holland, (1) (Latta, O’Donnell), 8:19

3rd Period
1. Windsor – Adam Henrique, (1) (Hall, Ellis), 0:20
2. Windsor – Harry Young, (1) (Henrique, Hall), 2:33
3. Windsor – Taylor Hall, (4) (Cundari), 14:41
4. Windsor – Greg Nemisz, (3) (Henrique, Hall), 17:30 (PP)
5. Guelph – Adam Comrie, (1) (Holland), 17:56
6. Windsor – Taylor Hall, (5), (Ellis) 19:21 (EN)

Scoring Summary
1st 2nd 3rd O/T Total
Windsor 0 0 5 - 5
Guelph 1 0 1 - 2

Three Stars
1. Windsor - #4 Taylor Hall
2. Guelph - #34 Matt Hoyle
3. Windsor - #31 Troy Passingham

In Play! Magazine

Spits Win Banner Raising Game 8-3

Thursday, September 24, 2009
WFCU Centre

Final Score
Windsor Spitfires 8
Erie Otters 3

Scoring Summary

1st Period
1. Erie – Andrew Yogan, (3) (Gaulton), 2:35 (PP)
2. Windsor – Scott Timmins, (1) (Shugg, Nemisz), 5:28
3. Erie – Anthony Luciani, (3) (Torquato), 6:12
4. Windsor – Justin Shugg, (1) (Timmins, Nemisz), 9:23
5. Erie – Anthony Luciani, (4) (Paton) 15:24

2nd Period
1. Windsor – Justin Shugg, (2) (Timmins, Blacker), 6:55
2. Windsor – Justin Shugg, (3) (Fowler, Ellis), 15:25
3. Windsor – Austin Watson, (3) (Shugg, Blacker), 16:23
4. Windsor – Richard Panik, (1) (Unassisted), 17:56

3rd Period
1. Windsor – Richard Panik, (2) (Cundari, Passingham) 6:47
2. Windsor – Michael Whaley, (1) (Ellis, Watson) 19:48

Scoring Summary
1st 2nd 3rd O/T Total
Windsor 2 4 2 - 8
Erie 3 0 0 - 3


Three Stars
1. Windsor - #44 Justin Shugg
2. Windsor - #77 Scott Timmins
3. Windsor - #28 Richard Panik

Attendance – 6,112

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BMO CHL MasterCard Top 10 Rankings – Week 2

BMO CHL MasterCard Top 10 Rankings – Week 2

Rank
Team (Record)

1-Calgary Hitmen (2-0-0-0)
2-Drummondville Voltigeurs (4-0-0-0)
3-Windsor Spitfires (0-1-0-1)
4-Gatineau Olympiques (4-0-0-0)
5-Mississauga St. Michael's Majors (1-0-0-0)
6-Saskatoon Blades (1-0-0-0)
7-Quebec Remparts (3-0-1-0)
8-London Knights (1-0-0-0)
9-Brandon Wheat Kings (1-1-0-0)
10-Saint John Sea Dogs (4-0-0-0)

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Spitfires Announce Details for Thursday’s Banner Raising Game

(Windsor) The Windsor Spitfires are proud to announce the entertainment details for this Thursday’s 7:05 p.m. home game versus the Erie Otters at the WFCU Centre.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early as the team will be hosting a pre-game parking lot party starting at 5 p.m. outside of Gate 2 at the WFCU Centre. Steve Bell and Paul McDonald from AM800 CKLW will be on hand to host a special pre-game radio broadcast from 6 – 7 pm.

AM800 will also be hosting interactive games, providing fans with the chance to win prizes! Fans can also take their picture with the Memorial Cup, J. Ross Robertson OHL Championship and Wayne Gretzky Western Conference Championship trophies outside.

Musical guests Super Natural, featuring Kim Klyn will be performing at the party with a beer garden and food tent, Spits mascot Bomber, face painters, clowns, stilt walkers and more on hand!

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Windsor Acquires Draft Picks from Guelph Storm

(Windsor) Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel today announced that the Spitfires have acquired a 7th round pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection and a 6th round pick in 2012 from the Guelph Storm.

In exchange, the Spitfires have sent overage forward Conor O’Donnell to the Storm.

“Already having three overage players on our team, we felt it was best to provide Conor with a chance to further his OHL career. We wish Conor the very best in Guelph and thank him for his service to the Spitfires over the past two seasons,” said Warren Rychel.

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Spitfires Lose 2009-2010 Season Opener to Plymouth 6-5

Thursday, September 17, 2009
WFCU Centre

Final Score
Plymouth 6 (SO)
Windsor 5

Scoring Summary

1st Period
1. Plymouth - Tyler Seguin, (1) (Jenner, Wedgewood), 5:57 (PP)
2. Windsor – Taylor Hall, (1) (Shugg, Fowler), 9:42 (PP)
3. Plymouth – Sean Myers, (1) (Brown, Mattson), 11:43
4. Plymouth – Tyler G. Brown, (1) (Schmitz, Seguin), 12:28 (PP)

2nd Period
1. Plymouth – Josh Bemis, (1) (Mahalak, Gaynor), 0:46
2. Plymouth – Tyler Seguin, (2) (Brown, Levi), 16:16
3. Windsor – Taylor Hall, (2) (Shugg, Fowler), 18:17 (PP)

3rd Period
1. Windsor – Austin Watson, (1) (Nemisz, Hall), 16:39 (PP)
2. Windsor – Taylor Hall, (3) (Whaley, Fowler), 16:59
3. Windsor – Austin Watson, (2) (Fowler, Hall), 18:36

Overtime
No goals scored

Shootout

Plymouth Shootout
9 – Tyler Seguin Goal
13 – Myles McCauley Goal

Windsor Shootout
4 – Taylor Hall No Goal
64 – Greg Nemisz Goal
44 – Justin Shugg No Goal

Scoring Summary

1st 2nd 3rd O/T SO Total
Plymouth 3 2 0 x 1 6
Windsor 1 1 3 x 0 5

Spitfires’ Upcoming Games
Friday, September 18, 2009 @ London Knights – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 24, 2009 vs. Erie Otters – 7:05 p.m.
Friday, September 25, 2009 @ Guelph Storm – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ Owen Sound Attack – 7:30 p.m.

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Windsor Acquires Ryan Baldwin from Guelph

(Windsor) Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel today announced that the team has acquired overage right-winger and Windsor native Ryan Baldwin from the Guelph Storm. Baldwin previously played with the Spitfires in the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons.

In exchange, the Spitfires have sent a sixth round pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection to the Storm.

“We’re excited to have Ryan back in a Spitfire uniform, he’s a tough local boy who will add a physical presence to our lineup this year. He will bring instant toughness to our team and is a fan favourite here in Windsor,” said Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.

Ryan Baldwin
Pos: RW Birthdate: May 20, 1989
Hometown: Windsor, ON
Height: 6’0” Weight: 210 Shot: R

Season Team GP G A PTS PIM
2006-2007 Windsor Spitfires 37 9 5 14 108
2007-2008 Windsor Spitfires 33 3 2 5 114
2007-2008 Oshawa Generals 26 2 1 3 52
2008-2009 Guelph Storm 49 3 5 8 124

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OHL Set to Launch 2009-10 Regular Season

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today held a telephone press conference to officially launch the 2009-10 regular season schedule which begins this Thursday September 17, 2009.

OHL Commissioner David Branch discussed highlights from the 2008-09 campaign and was joined on the conference call by Windsor Spitfires President and Head Coach Bob Boughner, and Brampton Battalion General Manager and Head Coach Stan Butler.

“We are extremely excited entering the 2009-10 OHL season” said Branch. “The league is coming off arguably its best season ever. Congratulations to the Windsor Spitfires for capturing the J. Ross Robertson Trophy as OHL Champions and for an incredible comeback in capturing the MasterCard Memorial Cup, and to the Brampton Battalion for having their most successful year in franchise history in capturing the Bobby Orr Trophy as Eastern Conference Champions.”

Among the items discussed included an overview of several changes for the 2009-10 season:

Playing Rule:
Following in line with the NHL, the OHL will no longer enforce a 10-minute misconduct for players receiving a penalty for diving. The infraction will only consist of a 2-minute minor penalty.

Definition of an OHL Rookie:
In order to be considered a rookie in the Ontario Hockey League, a player must begin their first season of play as a seventeen (17) year old or younger. Second year players that are seventeen (17) years of age or younger would also receive rookie status if they played in less than a quarter of the regular season the previous year.

OHL Priority Selection:
All players who are properly registered and playing for an Ontario-based Minor Midget AAA hockey team or Minor Midget aged players properly registered and playing for a team in the Great North Midget League shall automatically be deemed eligible to be claimed in the OHL Priority Selection Process.

“We hope through that process to relieve some of the anxiety and concerns for players and families that can develop throughout a playing season around the OHL Priority Selection and eligibility list” said Branch.

OHL Special Events:
·Subway Super Series – Molson Centre, Barrie, ON - November 19, 2009
·Subway Super Series – WFCU Centre, Windsor, ON – November 23, 2009
·OHL All-Star Classic – K-Rock Centre, Kingston, ON – February 2-3, 2010
·OHL Cup Showcase Tournament – Hershey Centre, Mississauga, ON – March 17-21, 2010

In addition to the Special Events calendar, the bid process for the 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup will begin in February with the host centre announcement being made in early May following the 2010 OHL Priority Selection.

“This is always an exciting time as already we can feel the interest among our teams in vying for the opportunity to host this most prestigious event” said Branch.
OHL Highlights:

·45 OHL players were selected at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft including seven in the first round.
·OHL players contributed to Canadian success in international competition with gold medals at the Under-20 World Junior Hockey Championships, the Under-18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka, and Team Ontario at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
·70% of regular season games in 2009-10 will be officiated using the two-referee system.
·Seven new referees and 13 new linesmen have been hired for the 2009-10 season.
·OHL players successfully completed 97% of high school courses during the 2008-09 season.
·Of the 54 overage players that competed in the league during the 2008-09 season, 24 have signed professional hockey contracts while 29 have accessed their academic scholarships to play CIS hockey in 2009-10.
·OHL teams contributed just under $2 million in 2008-09 towards scholarships for current and graduate players.

The 680-game OHL regular season schedule begins Thursday September 17, 2009, with four games including the defending OHL and Memorial Cup Champions the Windsor Spitfires hosting the Plymouth Whalers at 7:05 pm.

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Spitfires Sign Posa, Nishi,Lanoue and Whaley to OHL Contracts

(Windsor) Windsor Spitfires General Manager Warren Rychel today announced that the team has signed defenseman Saverio Posa, goaltender Michael Nishi as well as forwards Derek Lanoue and Michael Whaley to OHL contracts and education packages.

Saverio Posa was selected by the Spitfires with the team’s final draft pick in the 15th round, 298th overall in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection with Michael Nishi being picked by Windsor in the 10th round, 200th overall during this past year’s OHL Priority Selection. Michael Whaley was also selected by Windsor with the team’s final pick in the 13th round, 260th overall in this year’s OHL Priority Selection while Derek Lanoue joined the Spitfires as a walk-on for their most recent 2009 Prospect and Training Camps. Each player has also played in pre-season games for the Spitfires.

“We’re very pleased to add Posa, Nishi, Lanoue and Whaley to our organization. These young gentlemen were pleasant surprises for our team and their success speaks volumes about their work ethic and determination. We would also like to recognize the efforts of our scouting staff for finding talented players such as these four young men. Each player has a chance to be part of this organization in the upcoming years. Their play in the last two exhibition games will determine if they join us for our regular season opener here at the WFCU Centre on September 17th against Plymouth,” said Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manger Warren Rychel.

In other news, the Windsor Spitfires also announced that they have released left-winger Matt Mascarin.

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Spitfires Fall to Whalers 3-1 on Labour Day at the WFCU Centre

(Windsor) The Windsor Spitfires welcomed 5,859 fans to the WFCU Centre earlier this afternoon for their annual Labour Day pre-season game, facing off against the Plymouth Whalers, with the Spitfires dropping their first game of the exhibition schedule, losing to the Whalers by a count of 3-1. With the loss, the Spitfires’ record drops to 2-1 in the pre-season.

Windsor opened the scoring at 1:30 of the first period as Ben Dubois won a clean draw in Plymouth’s zone to defenseman Saverio Posa who ripped a slapshot from the point and was redirected in the Whaler goal by Conor O’Donnell for his first marker of the pre-season.

Spitfires Luke Turcotte, Ben Dubois and Matt Mascarin also participated in some spirited battles with Whaler combatants during the contest and the Spitfires held a one-goal lead until midway through the third period as Plymouth evened the score on an Austin Mattson shorthanded marker at 9:29.

Austin Levi gave the Whalers their first lead of the game at the 12:49 of the third period and Tyler G. Brown scored an insurance marker for Plymouth at 18:39 to secure victory for the visiting side.

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Spitfires Acquire Defenseman Mitch Dunning from Sarnia

Windsor Acquires Defenseman Mitch Dunning from Sarnia

(Windsor) Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel today announced that the team has acquired defenseman and Windsor native Mitch Dunning as well as a 15th Round Pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection from the Sarnia Sting.

In exchange, the Spitfires have sent a 15th Round Pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection and a conditional 15th Round Pick in 2012 to the Sting.

“We’re happy to get a hard working, local player like Mitch who has the potential to be part of our team,” said Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.

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Spitfires Announce Cuts from 2009 Training Camp

(Windsor) Following the conclusion of yesterday’s Blue-Red training camp game at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex, the Windsor Spitfires have announced that the following players have been cut.

Players Cut

Goalies
Josh Hillegas
Josh Malecki

Defencemen
Evan Makaric
Nolan Kirley
Travis James
Rodney Lalonde
Derek Van Ness

Forwards
Branden Larocque
Jesse Jamieson
Eric Noel
Jeff Stanton
Tyler Wiseman
Daniel Holt
Eric Locke
Sammy Banga
Travis Maezes
Dylan Seguin
Daniel Purcell

All other players will be with the Spitfires for at least a portion of the team’s 2009 exhibition schedule.

The Windsor Spitfires will play their first home game of the 2009 exhibition schedule against the Sarnia Sting on Thursday, September 3rd at the WFCU Centre. Game time is set for 7 p.m and Spitfire forward Richard Panik as well as defenceman Cam Fowler will be making their Spitfire debuts against the Sting.
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Memorial Cup Champs Sign 2009 First Round Pick Austen Brassard

(Windsor) The Windsor Spitfires are proud to announce that they have signed Windsor native Austen Brassard to an OHL contract and education package. The Spitfires selected Brassard with their first round pick in this year’s OHL Priority Selection. A 6’2, 180 pound right-winger, Brassard scored 55 goals and 121 points with 111 penalty minutes in 69 games played with the Windsor Jr. Spitfires Minor Midget AAA team last season.

“We’re excited to add a local boy and player of Austen’s caliber to our team. He’s a very exciting player who has a blue collar work ethic and great skill. Austen will be a big part of our team in the years to come,” said Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.

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Spitfires Announce 2009 Training Camp Schedule

Memorial Cup Champs to Play Blue-White Game in Leamington

Windsor) The Windsor Spitfires are proud to announce that the team will open its annual training camp on Friday, August 28th, 2009 at the WFCU Centre. Returning players and new prospects will engage in a three-day camp to determine the Spitfires roster for the 2009-2010 season.

The schedule of events for camp is as follows. Fans are encouraged to enter through Gate 2 of the WFCU Centre to attend the practices and games:

*Friday, August 28
Practice - Team Red Game - Team White vs. Team Blue
9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m.

Practice - Team White Game – Team Red vs. Team Blue
3:00 p.m. 4:15 p.m.

Saturday, August 29
Practice – Team Blue Game – Team Red vs. Team White

9:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m.
3:00 p.m. – Practice (players TBA)
4:00 p.m. – Inter-Camp Scrimmage (players TBA)

*Please note that rosters for Team Red, White and Blue will be released as the camp commences.

The 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup Champions will also play their annual Blue-White Game on Sunday, August 30th at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreational Complex, Heinz Rink (249 Sherk St. in Leamington). Game time is set for 2 p.m. Admission is $5 per fan, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit Southpoint Minor Hockey.

Fans attending the Blue-White Game will have the opportunity to win a Windsor Spitfire Team Autographed Jersey and to take pictures with the Memorial Cup. Selected Spitfire players will also be available to sign autographs for fans at the game.

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BOB BOUGHNER LEADS CANADA'S NATIONAL MEN'S SUMMER UNDER-18 TEAM WINS GOLD MEDAL

CANADA’S NATIONAL MEN’S SUMMER UNDER-18 TEAM WINS GOLD MEDAL AT 2009 MEMORIAL OF IVAN HLINKA.

BRECLAV, Czech Republic – Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team led by Team Canada and Windsor Spitfires Head Coach Bob Boughner has won the gold medal at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament, defeating Russia 9-2 in Saturday’s gold medal game in Breclav. It is the fifth time in six years Canada has won the tournament, formerly known as the Junior World Cup.

On Saturday, Canada got four goals in the second period to turn a tight, one-goal game into a runaway as it beat Russia for gold for the second year in a row. Brandon Gormley (Murray River, P.E.I./Moncton, QMJHL), Jeffrey Skinner (Markham, Ont./Kitchener, OHL) and Tyler Seguin (Brampton, Ont./Plymouth, OHL) led the way with two goals apiece. Jaden Schwartz (Wilcox, Sask./Notre Dame, SJHL), Ryan Spooner (Kanata, Ont./Peterborough, OHL) and Canadian captain John McFarland (Richmond Hill, Ont./Sudbury, OHL) also scored.
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Spitfires Renew Affiliation with LaSalle Vipers Jr. B Hockey Club

(Windsor) The Windsor Spitfires today announced that they have renewed their affiliation with the LaSalle Vipers OHA Junior B Hockey Club for the 2009-2010 season. The Spitfires and Vipers will work closely in the development of hockey talent during the upcoming campaign.

“The Windsor Spitfires are very fortunate to partner up with the Vipers for another season. I believe this is a good working relationship for both organizations and will allow us to make our respective teams stronger this season,” said Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.

“We’re glad to renew our relationship with the best junior hockey club in North America. Through our association with the Spitfires, we have the unique opportunity to follow in Windsor’s footsteps by sharing with the Spits in the development of players as we continue to build a championship caliber team in LaSalle,” commented LaSalle Vipers General Manager Kevin McIntosh.

The LaSalle Vipers will open their training camp on Sunday, August 16th at the Vollmer Recreation Complex in LaSalle. For more information on Vipers hockey, please visit their website at www.lasallevipers.com

Tomorrow morning, Windsor Spitfire players and the Memorial Cup will be visiting Tecumseh Arena as part of Tecumseh Minor Hockey’s Registration day activities from 10 am – 1 pm. Fans can obtain autographs from the players, take pictures with the Memorial Cup and also purchase Spitfire merchandise.

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Canada’s Under-18 Team Routs Czech Republic 9-0

Advance to Gold Medal Game

Breclav, CZE – Canada’s Men’s National Under-18 Team, led by Team Canada and Windsor Spitfire Head Coach Bob Boughner will be looking to secure their fifth Gold Medal in six years following today’s 9-0 rout of the Czech Republic in Canada’s final game of the preliminary round at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Men’s Under-18 Tournament. Team Canada scored two goals in the first 1:11 of the first period and never looked back in securing a victory over the Czechs.

Team Canada finished with a perfect 3-0 record, good for first place in Group A of the tournament and will face Team Russia, winners of Group B in the Gold Medal game this Saturday at 11 am ET.
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Head Coach Bob Boughner Leads Canada's National Men's Under-18 Team to Victory

CANADA USES POWER PLAY TO TOP SWEDEN IN HLINKA OPENER

BRECLAV, Czech Republic – It wasn’t as smooth as its pre-tournament victories, but win No. 1 is in the books for Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka.

The Canadians scored twice on the power play and once more just four seconds after the end of a man advantage as they scored a tight 3-2 win over Sweden in the tournament opener for both on Tuesday.

Tyler Toffoli (Scarborough, Ont./Ottawa, OHL), Tyler Seguin (Brampton, Ont./Plymouth, OHL) and Brandon Gormley (Murray River, P.E.I./Moncton, QMJHL) all scored once and added an assist for Canada, while captain John McFarland (Richmond Hill, Ont./Sudbury, OHL) pitched in with two assists. It was another six points for Canada’s top line, which combined for 11 in the final pre-tournament win over Slovakia on Sunday.

After outscoring the United States and Slovakia by a combined 13-2 in its exhibition wins, Canada found itself trailing on Monday after Gabriel Landeskog opened the scoring for the Swedes just past the game’s six-minute mark.

But the Canadian offence found its rhythm in the second frame, as Gormley and Toffoli put the Canadians ahead for the first time in the game.
After Victor Berglind pulled the Swedes even on a power play in the first minute of the final period, Seguin cashed in on a Canadian man advantage, set up by McFarland and Toffoli as the all-Ontario threesome continued to run roughshod over international competition.

The game belonged to the goaltenders, as Canadian netminder Calvin Pickard (Winnipeg, Man./Seattle, WHL) and Swedish counterpart Jonas Gustafsson both made more than 30 saves. Canada held a 39-36 advantage in shots on goal.

The Canadians return to the ice in Breclav on Wednesday when they face Switzerland in the second of three preliminary round games (9:30 a.m. ET).

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CANADA’S UNDER-18 CAMP TO BEGIN IN CALGARY

CANADA’S NATIONAL MEN’S SUMMER UNDER-18 TEAM SELECTION CAMP SET TO BEGIN IN CALGARY

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with with the Canadian Hockey League, will host Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp from August 1-4at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary.

Head coach Bob Boughner (Windsor, Ont./Windsor, OHL), along with assistant coaches Chris Depiero (King City, Ont./Oshawa, OHL) and Mark Holick (Penticton, B.C./Kootenay, WHL), will lead the red and white teams through on-ice practices and three Red-White games. At the conclusion of camp, the coaching staff, along with head scout Al Murray, will select a roster of 22 players to represent Canada at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka from August 11-15 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The final roster will be named the evening of August 4, and the team will depart for Europe the morning of August 5.

Hockey Canada and the CHL also announced one roster change, as goaltender J.P. Anderson (Toronto, Ont./Mississauga, OHL) will not be available for the camp due to an injury. Tyler Bunz (St. Albert, Alta./ Medicine Hat, WHL) will take his place and be at camp on August 1.

All on-ice sessions will be at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary and open to the public free of charge.

Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team is one of two under-18 teams that Hockey Canada assembles during each season. A second men’s under-18 team will take part in the 2010 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Belarus in April 2010, and will be comprised of available players not involved in playoffs with their respective teams.

The under-18 program, along with the regional under-17 program and the national under-20 program, make up Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, which identifies, evaluates and develops players for international competition.

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Spitfires Sign Steven Trojanovic

(Windsor) Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel today announced that the team has signed defenceman Steven Trojanovic to an OHL contract and education package. The Spitfires selected Trojanovic in the third round of this year’s OHL Priority Selection. A 6’1”, 185 pound right defenceman, Trojanovic scored 9 goals and 29 points and recorded 78 penalty minutes in 60 games this past season with the Burlington Eagles Minor Midgets.

“It’s always tough to find talented young defencemen. Steve has the potential to be an excellent player in our league and we’re excited to have him join our team. He will be attending our mini-camp next weekend,” commented Warren Rychel

Trojanovic will attend St. Anne’s High School in Lakeshore, ON to continue his studies.

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Spitfires Forward Austin Watson Selected to U.S Under-18 Team

(Windsor) Earlier today, Windsor Spitfires forward Austin Watson was selected to play for the U.S Under-18 Select Team that will compete at the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament from Aug. 11-15 in Piestany, Slovakia. Watson was one of twenty-one players chosen to USA’s Under-18 team which participated in USA Hockey’s Boys’ Select 17 Player Development Camp conducted from July 7 - 13 in Rochester, NY.

In his rookie season with the Spitfires, Watson was part of the team’s MasterCard Memorial Cup and OHL Championship performances. The 6’3, 183 pound right-winger scored 10 goals and 29 points with a +15 plus/minus rating in 63 regular season games with Windsor this past season. He also recorded 4 assists in 25 playoff games for the Spitfires.

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LEARNING THE PRO ROPES: FIRST ROUND PICK GREG NEMISZ HAS A BUSY HOCKEY SCHEDULE THIS SUMMER

Photo by Jennifer Macpherson

By Mike Board
calgaryflames.com
Jul 21, 2009, 2:48 PM EDT

Greg Nemisz is a busy hockey player these days. In fact, the Calgary Flames first round draft pick from 2008 is having an all-hockey summer.

Nemisz capped a strong season with the Windsor Spitfires -- 77 points in 65 games -- by winning the Memorial Cup on May 24. By mid-June he had moved to Calgary and was sharing an apartment with two other Flame prospects, defenceman Gord Baldwin and forward John Armstrong. This week he is attending the Flames development camp. Next up is the Team Canada World Junior Championship camp, then Flames training camp, then Spitfires camp.

Yes, it is a hectic schedule but one Nemisz is fully committed to.

"You've got to make sure you take your off days and really rest and relax. You have to stay focused on what you want to do. You want to be a hockey player, you are going to have to make a little bit of sacrifice but it is worth it," said the strapping 6'3", 195-pound Nemisz, who contributed 23 points, including 10 goals, in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs leading up to the Memorial Cup.

The hard work and dedication is bearing some fruit for Nemisz, who turned 19 just before moving to Calgary for the summer. On Tuesday the Flames announced that they had agreed to terms with Ontario native on his first professional contract..

"It's an exciting time and it is step in the right direction," said Nemisz.

There is more good news. Nemisz, who is working with Flames strength and conditioning coach Rich Hesketh in Calgary, has been invited to Team Canada's World Junior Championships development camp in Saskatoon in August.

Nemisz is certainly on steep learning curve this summer but he has a little help -- both Armstrong and Baldwin made the transition from junior hockey to the pro ranks last year and have been nurturing Nemisz.

"It's great. They have taught me a lot and they are just great guys to live with," he said. "You know, living on your own for the first time you learn a lot. You get food, you cook food, you do all your dishes. It's a good experience."

It's all part of moving ahead from the amateur ranks to the pro ranks.

"To get a little taste of that in the summer is nice," he said.

Still, it's been a very busy schedule. So busy that Nemisz hasn't really soaked in the fact that he was on a team that won the ultimate junior prize in the Memorial Cup.

"It was huge. It was exciting. It has been such a whirlwind year I haven't really had time to reflect on it," said Nemisz. "It was amazing, It is something we want to do next year."

Going back for a repeat certainly is a possibility for Nemisz. But there are many roads ahead.

"First and foremost I want to be a Calgary Flames. But I have to be real to myself. I have a lot of work to do. They are going to have a really strong team this year but I am going to try my hardest to make the team out of camp. But if I don't I want to play World Juniors and we have a good chance of going to the Memorial Cup again next year."

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Spitfires Sign Craig Duinick

(Windsor) Yesterday, Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel signed American blue-liner Craig Duinick to an OHL contract and education package. The Spitfires selected Duinick in the fourth round of this year’s OHL Priority Selection. A six-foot one, 200 pound right defenceman, Duinick helped lead the Detroit Compuware Minor Midgets to the U.S Under-16 title this past season, scoring 24 goals and 50 points in 55 games.

“Craig is an excellent two-way player who will compete for the number 5 spot on our defensive corps. He’s also an excellent student and a great kid. I’m really glad we were able to have Craig join our organization,” commented Warren Rychel.

Duinick will continue his studies at St. Anne’s High School in Lakeshore, ON next year.

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BRUINS SIGN SPITFIRES DEFENCEMAN ROB KWIET TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT

Bruins Sign Four Players
Jul 13, 2009, 4:04 PM EDT

BOSTON, MA -- Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has signed four players to one year contracts. Per club policy, terms of the deals will not be disclosed.

The 20-year-old defenseman Rob Kwiet spent the 2008-2009 season with the 2009 Memorial Cup Champion Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League. He skated in 66 regular season games recording 12-55-67 totals, which was second among team defensemen and sixth overall among OHL blueliners in scoring. The 6’1” 218-pound Toronto, Ontario native added 5-10-15 totals in 20 playoff games as the Spitfires won the ‘09 Memorial Cup Championship. He participated in the 2009 Bruins Development Camp as an invite from July 7 - July 11 and is a Spitfires teammate of Boston’s fourth round draft pick in the ’09 NHL Entry Draft, Lane MacDermid.

The 24-year old center Drew Larman has spent the last four seasons with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. In 2008-09, he skated in 61 regular season games potting 10 goals and registering a career high 12 assists. Larman has played in 22 career NHL games with 2-1-3 totals, all with the Florida Panthers. The 6’ 3” 195-pound Canton, Michigan native originally signed with the Panthers as a free agent on September 28, 2005. Larman helped the London Knights (Ontario Hockey League) capture the 2005 Memorial Cup Championship after tallying an 11-10-21 line in 58 games during the regular season and 3-4=7 totals in 18 games during the ’05 playoffs.

The 24-year-old defenseman Zach McKelvie has spent the past four seasons in the NCAA playing for the Army Black Knights. In the 2008-2009 season, he skated in 33 regular season games recording 5-12-17 totals and won the prestigious Army Athletic Association Award, an honor awarded to the male and female cadet who displays the "most valuable service to intercollegiate athletics during a career as a cadet." He is the only player in school history to be a two-time Atlantic Hockey Association First-Team All Star and in the 2007-2008 season, the 6’2” 190-pound New Brighton, Minnesota native was named the AHA’s Defenseman of the Year.

A four-year letterwinner, McKelvie skated in 134 regular season games with the Black Knights recording career totals of 14-44-58. He attended the 2009 Bruins Development Camp as an invite from July 7 - July 11 but did not participate in the on-ice training sessions due to injury.

The 32-year-old center Trent Whitfield spent most of 2008-2009 playing with the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL. In 69 games played, Whitfield led the team with 30 assists and 50 points, while finishing second in goals scored with 20. Whitfield played in three NHL games for the St. Louis Blues during the 2009-2009 season and notched one assist.

Whitfield has played in 177 career NHL games with the St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals and New York Rangers recording 11-17-28 totals. The 5’11” 204-pound Alameda, Saskatchewan native was originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in the fourth round (#100 overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.
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Beach Grove Salutes Windsor Spitfires Raises $4,500 for Spitfires Foundation

(Windsor) Yesterday, Beach Grove Golf and Country Club honoured the Windsor Spitfires by hosting a special “Beach Grove Salutes the Windsor Spitfires” event, inviting members of the Spitfires to participate in a round of golf and a special dinner with Beach Grove members. Spitfires President and Head Coach Bob Boughner, Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel as well as Spitfire players Harry Young, Josh Unice, Ben Dubois and Ron Soucie all attended on behalf of team.

Following the round of golf and dinner, Beach Grove also welcomed all attending Spitfires to a special barbecue with the Memorial Cup, J. Ross Robertson OHL Championship Cup and Wayne Gretzky Western Conference OHL Trophy displayed for members from the golf club. During the barbecue, Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara presented the Spitfires with a commemorative plaque on behalf of the Town of Tecumseh, recognizing the team’s championship performances. Additionally, Beach Grove President Romano Curti, General Manager Gary Geoffrey and Head Professional Ryan Hughes presented the Spitfires with a $4,500 donation on behalf of Beach Grove members to the Windsor Spitfires Foundation.

The Windsor Spitfires would like to thank Mr. Curti, Mr. McNamara, Mr. Geoffrey and Mr. Hughes as well as the entire Beach Grove membership for their hospitality and gifts.

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2009 Spitfire Awards Announced

(Windsor) The Windsor Spitfires today announced the team’s individual award winners from the 2008-2009 season. Spitfire defenceman Ryan Ellis took home four awards with Taylor Hall following closely behind as he received three team honours. The complete list of winners is as follows:

2008-09 Spitfire Awards

Jake Pollen Hardest Working Spitfire of the Year – Harry Young and **Eric Wellwood

McDonald’s Best Defensive Defenceman – **Mark Cundari

Windsor Family Credit Union Academic Achievement – **Ryan Ellis

CKLW Most Improved Player – Justin Shugg

Devonshire Cup Most Underrated Player – Ben Shutron

Tim Hortons Best Defenceman – **Ryan Ellis

National Sports Most Valuable Player – Ryan Ellis

Hiram Walker and Sons Player of the Year – Andrew Engelage

Hiram Walker and Sons Rookie of the Year – Austin Watson

Jason Bennett Memorial Award for Community Service – Eric Wellwood

Scott Miller Award for Dedication and Determination to the Team – Adam Henrique and **Greg Nemisz

Paul Maurice Award for Dedication and Determination to the Spitfires Organization – Jake Pollen

Molson Jr. Cup Three Star Player of the Year – Greg Nemisz

CHYR Award Playoff MVP – Taylor Hall

Freed’s Men’s Wear Leading Goal Scorer – **Taylor Hall

Seagram Trophy Winner – Leading Point Scorer – Taylor Hall

William McAgy Leading Scoring Defenceman – **Ryan Ellis

Victory Ford Leading Rookie Scorer – Andrei Loktionov

** Denotes repeat winners from 2007-2008 season

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Spitfires Trade for 24th Overall Pick in CHL Import Draft

Spitfires Select Tom Kuhnhackl

(Windsor) Earlier today, the Windsor Spitfires moved up in the CHL Import Draft as they acquired the 24th overall pick from the London Knights. In exchange, the Spitfires sent a fourth round pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection and a third round pick in 2012 to the Knights as well as the 58th overall pick for today’s Import Draft.

With the 24th pick, the Spitfires selected Tom Kuhnhackl, a six-foot-two 172 pound centre from Germany. Kuhnhackl played for the Landshut Cannibals in the second Bundesliga in Germany. In 42 games with Landshut, he scored 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points with 34 penalty minutes. Kuhnhackl also played for Team Germany at the World Under-18 Championships in Fargo, North Dakota and scored 1 goal with 1 assist for 2 points in 6 games.

“We have always wanted to get the best players to play for us in Windsor. Kuhnhackl was one of the best players available in this draft. He’s a real skilled player who has the potential to be a first round NHL pick next year and comes from a hockey background as he is also the son of international hockey legend Erich Kuhnhackl,” commented Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.

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Windsor Spitfires to Pick 58th in Tomorrow’s CHL Import Draft

(Windsor) With five Spitfire players being selected in the NHL Entry Draft this past weekend as well as the signing of Czech forward Richard Panik, the Windsor Spitfires will turn their focus to tomorrow’s CHL Import Draft. The Halifax Mooseheads have the first pick and will make their selection (9 a.m June 30). Windsor currently holds the 58th overall pick and will be making their selection tomorrow evening.

“We will be able to use our pick this year with Loktionov playing in the professional ranks. With the signing of Panik, we have one European spot accounted for but I would like to add another European player to our lineup,” commented Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.

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Spitfires Sign Slovak Forward Richard Panik

(Windsor) At yesterday’s NHL Draft, Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel signed centre Richard Panik to an OHL contract that will bring Panik to Windsor for the 2009-10 season. Panik, a Slovakian forward from Trinec in the Czech leagues was selected in the second round, 52nd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in today’s NHL Entry Draft.

Panik, listed as 6’2” and 203 pounds, played 20 games with the Czech Under-20 squad, registering 19 points and also represented his country at the Under-20 World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa, helping his country advance to the medal round as he scored two goals and added three assists for five points in seven games.

The Windsor Spitfires moved up in last year’s CHL Import Draft, selecting Panik with the 10th pick overall. He remained in Slovakia for the past season but will provide the Spitfire front line with a boost for the 2009-10 campaign.

“He’s a high-end player. There will be an adjustment period but he’s a pure sniper. He gives us a scoring threat and skill level.” said Rychel.

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Philadelphia Selects Spitfire Forward Eric Wellwood in the Sixth Round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft

(Windsor) Earlier today, the Philadelphia Flyers selected Spitfire left-winger Eric Wellwood in the sixth round, 172th overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal. This past season, the Oldcastle, Ontario native and brother of former Spitfire and current Vancouver Canucks centre Kyle Wellwood scored 16 goals and added 18 assists for 34 points in 61 games, while posting a +27 plus/minus rating. Eric Wellwood is considered by many to be one of the fastest players in both the OHL and CHL, using his speed effectively to play an excellent two-way game.

During the Spitfires’ 2009 OHL Playoff Championship run, Wellwood posted impressive numbers, scoring 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 20 games and was tied for 10th in the OHL’s playoff scoring race along with a +14 plus/minus rating, which was tied for 6th in the OHL. He also scored two overtime goals, including the series winner in Windsor’s thrilling, four games to one win victory in the OHL’s Western Conference Championships over the London Knights. Wellwood was also a key contributor in the Spitfires 2009 MasterCard Memorial Championship performance as he scored one goal and three assists for four points in six games.

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Florida Selects Spitfire Forward Scott Timmins in the Sixth Round at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft

(Windsor) Earlier today, the Florida Panthers selected Spitfire centre Scott Timmins in the sixth round, 165th overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal. This past season, the Hamilton, Ontario native was acquired by Windsor in January through a trade with the Kitchener Rangers and provided the Spitfires with excellent two-way play upon his arrival. Overall, Timmins finished tied for 23rd in the OHL scoring race with 35 goals and 38 assists for 73 points. As a member of the Spitfires, he scored 10 goals and added 14 assists for 24 points in 28 games. For his excellent performance during the season, he was selected to represent the Windsor Spitfires and Team West at the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic in February hosted in Windsor.

During the playoffs, Timmins played against the opposing team’s top lines in a defensive-minded role and was a key member of Windsor’s 2009 OHL Playoff and MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship performances. He also provided the Spitfires with great offensive contributions, scoring 6 goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 20 games during the OHL playoffs, along with a +13 plus/minus rating, which was tied for 8th in the league. He was also solid on both ends of the ice during the Memorial Cup.

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Boston Selects Spitfire Forward Lane MacDermid in the Fourth Round at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft

(Windsor) Earlier today, the Boston Bruins selected Spitfire left-winger Lane MacDermid in the fourth round, 112th overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal. This past season, the Sauble Beach, Ontario native was acquired by Windsor in December through a trade with the Owen Sound Attack and made an immediate impact with the Spitfires, playing a rugged and physical brand of hockey. Overall, MacDermid scored 15 goals and added 20 assists for 35 points in 64 games, while posting a +22 plus/minus rating. He also finished second in the OHL with 197 penalty minutes. As a member of the Spitfires, he scored 7 goals and added 14 assists for 21 points, with a +23 plus/minus rating and 112 penalty minutes.

MacDermid’s gritty play was a key element to Windsor’s success in both the 2009 OHL Playoff and MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship performances. He also contributed offensively, scoring 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points in 20 OHL playoff games and provided a physical presence for the Spitfires at the Memorial Cup.

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Toronto Maple Leafs Select Spitfire Defenceman Jesse Blacker 58th Overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft

(Windsor) Earlier today, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Spitfire defenceman Jesse Blacker in the second round, 58th overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal. This past season, the Toronto, Ontario native became a steady top-six blue liner with the Spitfires in his first full campaign, as he posted a +46 plus/minus rating, good for sixth overall in the OHL while scoring 4 goals and 17 assists for 21 points in 67 games.

Blacker was also an instrumental part of the Spitfires’ OHL and MasterCard Memorial Cup Championships this past season. During the OHL playoffs, he posted a +13 plus/minus rating, which was tied for eighth best in the entire OHL. He was also a consistent top-six defenceman for the Spitfires in both the OHL playoffs and the Memorial Cup.

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Nashville Selects Spitfire Defenceman Ryan Ellis 11th Overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft

(Windsor) Earlier tonight, the Nashville Predators selected Spitfire defenceman Ryan Ellis with their first round selection, 11th overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal. This past season, the Freelton, Ontario native enjoyed success matched by few in their junior hockey careers. He finished the regular season as the OHL’s leading scorer amongst defencemen and second on the Spitfires with 22 goals and a league high 67 assists for 89 points. His 89 points were also seventh amongst all OHL scorers and he posted the second best plus/minus rating in the league with a +52

Ellis was also selected to play for Team OHL at the 2008 ADT Canada/Russia Challenge in November and then represented Team Canada at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships in January, winning a Gold Medal as Canada defeated Sweden 5-1 in the final. He scored one goal and recorded six assists for seven points in six games played during the tournament and was the youngest defenceman to participate in the WJHC since Jay Bouwmeester in 2001.

Two months later, he represented the Windsor Spitfires and Team West at the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic in February hosted in Windsor. His amazing season prompted the OHL to name him the Max Kaminsky Trophy Winner as the league’s Most Outstanding Defenceman.

In the playoffs, Ellis was a key part of the Spitfires OHL Championship squad, as Windsor defeated the Brampton Battalion four games to one. He finished tied for third overall in the OHL and first amongst all defencemen in playoff scoring with 8 goals and 23 assists for 31 points in 20 games. He finished the season by helping the Spitfires make history in becoming the first team to come back from losing their first two games to win the 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup, as Windsor won four straight games, including a 4-1 win over the Kelowna Rockets in the Championship Final. Ellis was named to the Memorial Cup Tournament All-Star team as he scored three goals and added one assist for four points in six games.

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BOB BOUGHNER TO HEAD COACH NATIONAL MEN’S SUMMER UNDER-18 TEAM

CALGARY, Alta. – Following Tuesday’s appointment of Dave Lowry as an assistant coach with the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames, Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey League have announced a change in the coaching staff of Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team. Bob Boughner, the head coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires, will replace Lowry as the team’s head coach.

“Dave Lowry is an outstanding young coach, and we congratulate him on his new position with the Calgary Flames,” said Brad Pascall, Hockey Canada’s senior director of men’s national teams. “The National Men’s Under-18 Team is a key opportunity for Hockey Canada to develop coaches and players for possible future Program of Excellence opportunities such as the IIHF World Under-18 Championship or the IIHF World Junior Championship. It was therefore important to make this change for the benefit of our program. We are very excited to name Bob Boughner as our new head coach.”

Boughner, who spent 10 years as a player in the National Hockey League with Buffalo, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Calgary, Carolina and Colorado, is a two-time OHL and CHL coach of the year and led Windsor to the first Memorial Cup championship in franchise history in May.

Chris DePiero and Mark Holick, who were named assistant coaches on May 20, will remain on the coaching staff of Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team.

Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp will run from August 1-4 at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary. Details, including red and white rosters, will be announced at a later date.

Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team is one of two under-18 teams that Hockey Canada assembles during each season. A second men’s under-18 team will take part in the 2010 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Belarus in April 2010, and will be comprised of available players not involved in the playoffs with their respective teams. The under-18 program, along with the regional under-17 program and the national under-20 program make up Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, which identifies, evaluates and develops players for international competition.

In Play! magazine

Andrew Engelage

Andrew Engelage
Despite a record breaking 46 wins during the regular season I wonder if his two shaky starts in Owen Sound and the 3rd period lapse in Game 1 has the Spitfire brass talking.

Outside of a solid 6-1 win in Game 3 Engelage has been victimized. It's not all on him though. The Spits have a tendency to become complacent leaving their goalie vulnerable.

As the playoffs intensify the play of the team will have to tighten up. If not Enge will be the easy target.

I'd like to see Enge succeed. He's has turned things around and proven he's capable. Sad thing is fans won't give him the credit he deserves until he helps the Spits win it.

Spits weather Attack and close out Owen Sound

No surprise that Windsor took care of Owen Sound in Round 1 of the OHL playoffs. With their first series win in 4 years, and first for the new ownership, the Spits now get almost a week to rest while their next opponent gets beat up.

If things shake out the way they're supposed to Windsor's next opponent will come out of the Plymouth-Sarnia series. Both pose interesting scenarios.
Mike Vellucci has The Whalers player tough hockey pulling the team out of the basement and into the playoffs.

Sarnia would be a fan favourite based on paybacks. The Sting knocked Windsor out of the first round last spring and don't think the Spits have forgotten. I think this would be the most intriguing opponent. I'd love to see how the Spits handle proverbial pain in the arce Matt Martin. He wreaked-havoc on them last spring and always causes a stir when these two teams play.

Windsor Spitfires head into final weekend of the season.

Don't really care much for the last weekend of the regular season anymore. The Spits aren't chasing any records anymore.

Nice that they didn't get the record though. Sounds cruel but here's why it benefits them. Some, like Taylor Hall, can get a rest. They are no longer consumed by the record chase and can better prepare for the playoffs.

They are now in playoff mode and should do well this season. I know we shouldn't look to far ahead but Windsor-London in the Western Conference final would be a great matchup.

NHL Outdoor Classic

I heard a great idea today. The NHL should reward players for a good year by allowing them to play in the Outdoor Classic NHL All Star Game. Players talked about how great Chicago was. One player from each NHL city would represent making the game more interesting for all fans. I bet the game would also receive more ink and air-time. Great selling tool. Someone tell Bettman!

Detroit not flying in Montreal

Wassup with that. No Detroit Red Wings at the All Star game. Horrible! They are Stanley Cup champs and contenders once again. Fans are getting short-changed! They could have sent Marian Hossa. He's having an ok year.

Rip'in from the bench

Having Rip Hamilton come off the bench looks like a good thing...so far. Give head coach Michael Curry some credit for having the balls to make the move. A huge pat on the back to Rip for being the consumate professional.

He's doing a great job of embracing the role and not telling everyone what he really thinks. I hope he thrives and the ship starts sailing in the right direction. How do the Pistons lose 5 in a row. C'mon. Let's get the party started like in 2004!

Death Of Hockey Player Rekindles Debate

My heart goes to out to the family of Don Sanderson, the 21-year old Whitby Dunlops player, who succumbed to his injuries and passed away January 2nd. Sanderson was involved in a fight during a Major Hockey League Senior A game three weeks ago.
He lost his helmet, fell and banged his head off the ice during a third period tussle.

The accident has rekindled the debate about fighting in the game of hockey. Some like it. Others don't. I watched a player on TSN say it's part of the game and a risk they take when getting involved.

The issue has been debated for years. Will this incident force hockey to react? I think more focus on safety will ensue but fighting probably won't be banned any time soon. It can't be. Don Cherry would lose his mind. Should fighting be outlawed? It's works in lacrosse but basketball and baseball players look like sissy's when they fight...or try to.

The games of Football and Rugby are more physical but their players don't fight. Why not? Can hockey be like those sports? Better yet, can hockey fans enjoy the physical part of the game without the fights? It works for football and rugby.

Tavares Sweepstakes

Will Windsor win the John Tavares sweepstakes or will Boughner and the boys lose out to London, Brampton or Belleville?

NHL in Europe

Here's my first rant. I don't like that the NHL season started in Europe. Unless the powers that be are going to expand there it's a waste of time. Even if they're thinking about expanding I say they should stop right now and focus on growing the game in North America.

What are they thinking? They can barely break into the American sports psyche! Make the game more exciting for the viewer and maybe more people will watch. Ratings will go up. Players will make disgustingly more money and the NHL will be healthy enough to grow in Europe.

Don't worry about the Euros. Fans over there are watching because a lot of their players are over here.

Spitfires Goaltending Situation

The Windsor Spitfires traded for elite goaltender Brandon Maxwell last week. It was a trade for the future and for the present. He was supposed to solidify and add depth to the goaltending position as the Spits eye their first OHL championship since 1988. According to a newspaper report Maxwell is not coming to Windsor this season.

Maxwell was the 2nd goalie taken in the 2007 OHL Draft by Erie. He told the Otters he would not report and committed to play for the US development program. He is currently with the Under-18 team. The Spits needed USA Hockey to grant Maxwell his release from the program in order to bring him into the fold. The highly-touted goalie apparently wants to come to the Rose City but according to the newspaper report USA Hockey is forcing him to honour his commitment.

It's an unfortunate turn of events for Windsor this season. Spits starter Andrew Engelage has done his part in silencing his critics but will the team feel comfortable heading into the playoffs with backup Steve Gleeson. Don't get me wrong. He's a great kid and goalie. The Spits are high on him but what if Engy gets hurt?
The Spits knew what they were getting when they traded for Maxwell. Management knows what Gleeson can do but so far not at the OHL level. They're pretty much a third of the way through the season and he’s only gotten 2 starts and a handful of minutes in a third game.

Some might argue that Kitchener went to the Memorial Cup last season with rookie John Unice in their lineup. True enough but he was 18 years old and saw action in 42 regular season games.

As a rookie with Peterborough in 2006 current London Knights goaltender Trevor Cann went 16-2 with 2 shootout losses during the regular season. With just over 4 minutes of ice time in the Memorial Cup the Petes didn’t have to rely on Cann. They lucked out. Will the Spits?

Red Bull June issue of In Play! magazine.

This month we take a look at the Red Bull Air Races. In Play! sat down for a one on one exclusive interview with Mike Mangold. Get his thoughts on the course and returning to Detroit.

Check out great articles on all the sports going on here in Detroit and Windsor including, the Pistons, the Shock's quest to defend their title, Tigers and a look at the QB situation over in Allen Park plus a whole lot more.

Also take a look at the Wings run for the Cup.
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