Year in Review: March 2016

As the weather started to heat up, so did new from Chatham-Kent’s top athletes and teams. Here’s a look back at top sports highlights from Chatham-Kent’s sports community in March 2016.

Oliver Makes NCAA Commitment – Blenheim’s Blayne Oliver, a1995 born defenseman committed to play NCAA D3 hockey for the Hamilton College Continentals. Oliver, who played for the Chatham Maroons and Chatham-Kent Cyclones, finished his Junior career with the OJHL’s Trenton Golden Hawks, scoring 3 goals and 21 assists in 54 games.

Lakers Name Ritch Kanally GM – Hoping to turn around the organizations luck, the Wallaceburg Lakers started making front office changes. In what would be the first of many, the team hired local Ritch Kanally to guide the team’s rebuild.

Kellier Commits to Guelph – Chatham’s Josh Kellier committed to compete for the University of Guelph Gryphons track and field program. The Chatham-Kent Secondary School alumni, and Windsor Legion track team member, was recruited by the OUA school after putting up spectacular results in the steeplechase, and distance events over his high school career.

Dresden Reps Win OMHA Title – The Dresden Midget Kings took home an OMHA championship in fine form this March, with a 4-1 win over Tweed to sweep the final series and win the OMHA Midget ‘C’ championship. The finals win ended a 29-year-drought for the community.

Wallaceburg Midgets Win OMHA Crown – The Wallaceburg Minor Midget Lakers won the areas second OMHA title in March, as the team took a 4-3 win over the Erin-Hillsburgh Devils, with Cullen Bowles scoring the OT winner to secure the championship.

Broad At Olympic Trials – Wallaceburg’s Madison Broad can see the Olympics on the horizon, as the 16-year-old competitor prepared for what would be a memorable experience at the Canadian Olympic trials.