Chatham-Kent Sports Year in Review: October

October was a month of championships, firsts, and awards for local athletes and teams. October also saw teams and athletes from across Chatham-Kent team up to support breast cancer awareness month.

• Verboom Named Player of the Month: Chatham Maroons captain Michael Verboom kicked off the season in spectacular fashion, being named the GOJHL Western Conference Offensive Player of the Month.
• Breast Cancer Takes Center Stage: Teams across Chatham-Kent kicked in to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Teams including the Chatham Maroons, Dresden Kings, and LKCS Cardinals all held significant events.
• Kent Tennis Champs Crowned: Student-athletes competed in the annual Kent Tennis Championships, with the John McGregor Panthers continuing their dominance in the sport.
• Seth Griffith Scores In Pro Debut: It didn’t take Wallaceburg’s Seth Griffith long to make an impact in the American Hockey League, as the rookie scored in his first professional game with the Providence Bruins.
• Jonsey’s Back: Chatham’s Ryan Jones gets recalled by the Edmonton Oilers after his first demotion to the AHL in years. Jones would stick with the Oilers through the New Year.
• Cross Country Wraps Up: The Kent Cross Country season ended with brother-sister duo of Josh Kellier and Rayne Kellier among the local winners.
• Suisham Having Amazing Season: Wallaceburg’s Shaun Suisham remained perfect in the NFL season, and was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in mid-October.
• Nicholas Rookie of the Year: Blenheim’s Breanne Nicholas was named the OUA Rugby rookie of the year after a stellar season with the Western University Mustangs.