Chatham-Kent Sports Year In Review: January 2015
Travis Konecny scores one of his two goals at the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game last year – Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
Here are the top stories from Chatham-Kent’s sports community in January 2015.
- Trent Fox Traded to Belleville : After opening a strong OHL career with the Erie Otters, Thamesville’s Trent Fox was shipped to Belleville in a blockbuster trade. He immediately hit his stride in Belleville, becoming one of the Bulls’ best players.
- Negative talks swirls around Dresden Raceway: Financial troubles, scheduling issue, no license, Dresden Raceway hit a laundry list of troubles in 2015, which they eventually resolved in time for a successful racing season.
- OHL Considers Chatham: The Plymouth Whalers were in need of a home, and word hit the media that Chatham, Ontario was their initial primary target spurring weeks of discussion, excitement, and anticipation over the possibility of an OHL team in Chatham-Kent.
- Joel Shepley makes pro lacrosse lineup: Wallaceburg’s Joel Shepley cracked the Canadian Lacrosse League’s Southwest Cyclops, making the jump to pro lacrosse after playing Junior A, and Junior B lacrosse.
- Verboom Leaves Chatham Maroons: Chatham Maroons captain Michael Verboom made a difficult decision to leave his team, and begin his NCAA career early, joining Mercyhurt.
- Plymouth Whalers Choose Flint Over Chatham: Just when it looked like Chatham-Kent would finally get an OHL franchise, the Plymouth Whalers chose, and were sold to an ownership group in Flint, Michigan. Lack of a suitable arena, and plans for an arena in Chatham were the deciding factor.
- Konecny A Top NHL Prospect: Clachan’s Travis Konecny, who captains the OHL’s Ottawa 67s was the top prospect of the top prospects, being named game MVP of the NHL Top Prospects game.
- Kraft Hockeyville Bid Ramps Up: The start of what would be an exciting run, Chatham began ramping up interest and support for a Kraft Hockeyville bid.