Chatham-Kent Sports Year in Review: October 2014

Joseph Raaymakers stops Christian Dvorak of the London Knights on a penalty shot in his OHL debut – Photo by James Egan/ CKSN.ca

October saw amazing first for Chatham-Kent athletes including Chad Laprise, Seth Griffith, and Joseph Raaymakers, and was filled with other noteworthy news.

Here is a look at the top Chatham-Kent sports stories in 2014:

• Lindley Makes Lancers – After attending the University of Windsor, CKSS grad Jake Lindley beat the odds as a walk on for the Lancers’ football team, earning a starting position with Windsor in his freshman year.
• Chad Laprise Wins First UFC Fight – Chatham’s Chad Laprise delivered on his promise, and took a victory in his first career UFC fight. The Ultimate Fighter winner defeated Yosdenis Cedeno by a decision at UFC Fight Night in Halifax.
• McKinlay Wins First NCAA Tournament – Ridgetown golfer Crawford McKinlay had a major moment in his young NCAA career, as the Wayne State University golfer won his first career NCAA golf tournament.
• Wallaceburg Gets Senior B Lacrosse Team – Wallaceburg was the recipient of an OLA Senior B Lacrosse organization, as the community welcomed the Sarnia Beavers, who were relocating after the 2014 season.
• LKSSAA Tennis Champs Crowned – JMSS and CKSS tied for second overall in the LKSSAA tennis team standings as the newly formed high school league crown their champs. CKSS continued their winning ways in high school sports capturing the LKSSAA cross country title later in the month.
• Schaafsma Headed For ECHL – Blenheim’s Jamie Schaafsma and his Allen Americans made the jump from the CHL to the ECHL after the CHL folded. Schaafsma was the reigning CHL playoff MVP. Schaafsma would be named the Americans captain prior to the ECHL season.
• Dennis Brewer Passes Away – Dresden Kings general manager, and long time Chatham hockey coach Dennis Brewer passed away suddenly at age 58.
• Seth Griffith Makes NHL Debut – Wallaceburg’s Seth Griffith continued his incredible story, making his NHL debut for the Boston Bruins midway through October. Griffith would stay with the Bruins for much of the season. Days later, Griffith scored his firs NHL goal.
• Raaymakers Debuts in OHL – Chatham’s Joseph Raaymakers made his OHL debut, starting for the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds, and what a debut it was, as Raaymakers took the win, a shutout, and was named the games first star against the London Knights.
• Brodie Becomes Cornerstone for Flames – The Calgary Flames pegged Dresden’s TJ Brodie as the cornerstone of their organization, signing the young defender to a new 5-year contract, worth over $23 million.