Elmvale Set to Host 24 Teams for the Maple Syrup Country Tournament
By Deborah Coughlin, Tournament Director
Feb. 1, 2025 ELMVALE – The town of Elmvale is set to welcome 24 teams for the Maple Syrup Country Tournament, running March 7-9, 2025. The event will bring players, families, and hockey fans together for a weekend of intense competition, with games taking place at both Elmvale Arena and Wasaga Beach Arena.
Teams in the U9 MD, U11 Rep B, and U13 Rep B divisions will battle it out, with all championship finals held on Sunday, March 9, at the Elmvale Arena. With hundreds of visitors expected, downtown Elmvale will be fully decorated with EMHA banners to celebrate the tournament and show support for the teams.
Local Businesses and Sponsors Step Up
The tournament would not be possible without the support of local sponsors. Fenceright Inc. serves as the main tournament sponsor, while Foodland has generously provided a case of Gatorade for each team to help keep players hydrated throughout the weekend. G&S Computers is always there to help out.
Individual team sponsors include:
Elmvale U9 MD – Sponsored by Elmvale Legion, Elmvale U11 Rep B – Sponsored by JMC Stoneworks Inc., and Elmvale U13 Rep B – Sponsored by Elmvale Lions Club
Community support plays a major role in making this event a success, and the generosity of these sponsors helps create a memorable experience for all participants.
Exciting Events On and Off the Ice
The skills competition, always a tournament highlight, will take place on Friday, March 7, at the Elmvale Arena:
U13 at 4:50 p.m., U11 at 5:35 p.m., and U9 at 6:10 p.m.
Players will have the chance to showcase their speed, shooting accuracy, and puck-handling abilities in a fun yet competitive setting.
Silent Auction & Local Vendors
Hockey fans and community members won’t just find excitement on the ice—there will be plenty to enjoy off the ice as well.
A silent auction will take place Friday and Saturday in the Springwater Room at the Elmvale Arena, featuring an impressive selection of items, including sports memorabilia, gift baskets, and more. Proceeds from the auction will go directly toward supporting Elmvale Minor Hockey and helping to keep registration fees affordable for families.
Upstairs at the Elmvale Arena, visitors can also browse a variety of local vendors, offering unique gifts, apparel, and handmade items. It’s a great opportunity to shop local while enjoying the tournament atmosphere.
A Community Celebration of Hockey
The Maple Syrup Country Tournament is more than just a weekend of games—it’s a chance to bring together players, families, and the community to celebrate the sport. Whether you’re cheering on a team, bidding on silent auction items, or checking out local vendors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
All are welcome to attend, and organizers encourage the community to come out and be part of the excitement. For more information, visit elmvaleminorhockey.ca.
WATERSIDE RETIREMENT LODGE FRIDAY SENIOR STANDINGS
AT ELMVALE CURLING CLUB
RECORD POINTS
TEAM MURPHY 5-1-2 30.0
TEAM HUTH 5-2-0 25.5
TEAM TOWNES 5-2-0 24.0
TEAM KENNEY 3-2-2 24.0
TEAM JOHNSTONE/
BELCOURT 3-2-2 21.5
TEAM SCOTT 3-5-0 21.0
TEAM MADORE 3-3-1 20.5
TEAM DON 3-4-0 20.0
TEAM MARSHALL 2-4-1 19.5
TEAM McCLUNG 3-5-0 19.0
TEAM ALLEN 0-5-2 15.0
North Simcoe Capitals Claim Gold at Barrie Sharks Winter Classic
By Team Manager, Anna Hartman, Feb. 19, 2025
The U9 Rep B North Simcoe Capitals battled their way to gold this Family Day weekend, winning the Barrie Sharks Winter Classic in thrilling fashion.
The Capitals started strong with a dominant 6-0 win over Ennismore, followed by a hard-fought 4-1 victory against Kincardine. Their third game saw them face Grand River in a tense matchup, ending in a 1-1 tie that left both teams tied for first in the standings.
Finishing atop their pool, the Capitals took on the hometown Barrie Sharks in a semifinal showdown on packed home ice. The game remained deadlocked through regulation and overtime, leading to a nail-biting shootout. The Capitals prevailed 2-1 in a best-of-three shootout, earning their spot in the finals.
On Family Day Monday, they met Grand River once more in a battle for gold. Down 2-0 with just five minutes remaining, the Capitals ignited a late-game comeback, scoring twice to tie it up. With only 47 seconds left on the clock, they struck again to take the lead. Grand River pulled their goalie in a desperate final push, but the Capitals controlled the play and secured their championship win.
A true display of resilience and determination, the Capitals brought home gold!
Penetang Kings Limp Home in 4th Place as Season Ends
Submitted by Jamie Robillard, Feb. 18, 2025
The Penetang Kings finished the regular season in fourth place in the Carruthers Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League as they managed to win just one of their final five games.
On Monday February 10th the Kings played host to the Orillia Terrier and came out on the short end of the score dropping an 8-2 decision. Scoring for the Kings were defensemen Carson Thayer and Nicholas Gage. Owen Moreau turned aside 39 shots in the Penetang nets while the Kings managed only 23 shots on Orillia goaltender Nathan Hunter.
Friday February 14th the Kings exploded for nine goals on home ice and mauled the Muskoka Bears 9-1 to clinch fourth place in the standings. Owen Fuller opened the Kings scoring with two goals early in the second period followed by two goals from Carter Wilson and single markers from Jesse Bain, Camron Hutchinson, Noah Saye, Matthew Laframboise and Tanner Thayer. Thayer also collected four assists in the contest and was named the Kings player of the game. Penetang fired 45 shots at the Muskoka goalies while Landon Simec only faced 22 shorts in the Kings goal.
The Kings followed up Friday’s game with another home contest on Saturday February 15th against the third place Stayner Siskins. In what was a goalie battel the Kings lost a narrow 2-1 decision in a shoot-out. Penetang netminder Landon Simec and Stayner goalkeeper Nathan Boudreau held their opponents scoreless until the Stayner final beat Simec with only 1:37 remaining in regulation time. Penetang responded with a goal from Matthew Laframboise with just 12 seconds remaining to tie the score and send the game to overtime. Both goalies continued to hold the opposition at bay and forcing a shoot-out where Stayner scored two goals to Penetang’s one.
Penetang then traveled to Orillia on Sunday February 16th losing 5-3 to the Terriers. Harrison Holryod, Cole Rumbolt and Nick Story score one goal each for Penetang. Owen Moreau turned aside 23 of the 28 shots he faced in the Penetang goal, while Ried Thomas made 37 saves for the Terriers.
The Kings finally wrapped the busy long weekend in Midland on Monday afternoon February 17th taking a 4-2 loss from the Flyers. Max Geere and Jacob Vanderburg scored the Kings tallies. Kevin Pearson stymied the Penetang attack for the second time this season making 46 saves in the Flyers goal. Simec stopped 20 Midland shots in the Penetang net.
This concludes the regular season for the Kings, and they will now face the Huntsville Otters in the League quarter finals.
Notes: The Kings players and coaching personnel participated in the Winterama Parade on Saturday February 15th, handing out bags of candy to children along the parade route. Afterwards many of the players then attended the Penetang Minor Hockey Local League Tournament at the arena signing autographs for the participants and assisting the organizers with the on-ice skills competition.
The final standings have the Alliston Hornets capturing first place with 82 points followed by Orillia with 71 points, Stayner with 59 points and Penetang with 39 points in 42 games. Huntsville finished fifth with 34 followed by Innisfil with 33 Midland 20 and Muskoka 14 points respectively.
Alliston only dropped two games all season, both by shoot-outs.
Alliston will face Muskoka, Orillia will clash with Midland and Stayner will meet Innisfil in the other best of seven quarter final play-off series.
Ritchie’s Feeds ‘N Needs Elmvale Coyotes U8 LL1
Team Enjoys a Successful Season Filled with Skill, Growth, and Lifelong Friendships
Written by: Paul Cunliffe, Feb, 21, 2025
The Ritchie’s Feeds ‘N Needs Elmvale Coyotes U8 LL1 hockey team has been enjoying a memorable season so far, marked by impressive skill development, strong teamwork, and valuable life lessons. With the season still in full swing, the players continue to show remarkable growth both on and off the ice, building a foundation for future success and creating lasting memories along the way.
Under the dedicated guidance of their coaching staff, the Coyotes have been focused on high-level skill development, refining key aspects of the game such as skating, passing, shooting, and positioning. Every practice has been structured to help players reach their full potential, and the results are evident in their increased confidence and abilities on the ice. This growth has not only led to strong performances during games but also to a deeper understanding of the game’s strategy and structure.
The coaching staff has also placed a strong emphasis on teaching accountability and responsibility. The young athletes have been learning to take ownership of their actions, both individually and as a team. These lessons are helping the players become better teammates, friends, and individuals, as they support each other and hold themselves accountable to the standards set by the team.
Respect has been a core value for the Coyotes, both in terms of how the players treat one another and how they approach the game. The team has fostered an environment of mutual respect, where each player understands the importance of trust, communication, and supporting their teammates. The result has been a cohesive, positive atmosphere that has propelled the team forward, both on and off the ice.
This season, the Coyotes have also traveled to Owen Sound and Midland for two highly successful tournaments, where they demonstrated both skill and sportsmanship. The tournaments provided valuable opportunities for the players to challenge themselves against teams from other areas, and they returned home with new experiences, stronger bonds, and unforgettable memories. The camaraderie built during these tournaments has helped the players form friendships that are sure to last a lifetime.
Looking ahead, the Elmvale Coyotes are preparing for their next big tournament in Haliburton, where they hope to build on their success and continue to grow as a team. The excitement surrounding the upcoming tournament is palpable, as the players are eager to showcase their progress and learn even more through competition.
The Elmvale Coyotes U8 LL1 team would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our team sponsor, Ritchie’s Feeds ‘N Needs. Their generous support has played a crucial role in helping the team succeed this season, providing the resources and encouragement needed to thrive both on and off the ice. We are deeply grateful for their contribution and commitment to the success of our young athletes.
As the season continues, the Elmvale Coyotes U8 LL1 team is proving that success isn’t just measured by wins and losses, but by the growth and development of each player as an athlete, teammate, and individual. The lessons learned this season—about accountability, teamwork, and respect—will stay with the players long after the final buzzer of the season. And the friendships formed both in and out of the rink will continue to be a cherished part of their journey.
With the Haliburton tournament just around the corner, the Coyotes are ready to continue their exciting season, knowing that the experiences and connections they’ve made so far are ones they will carry with them for a lifetime
Elmvale U13 LL2 Second Half of Season Recap – By Alissa Shanahan, Feb. 13, 2025
The U13 LL2 Elmvale Coyotes, proudly sponsored by BC Roofing and Sheet Metal, finished the first half of their season with an impressive 9-3 record, a feat that earned them a reseed into the competitive Division A for the second half of the season. However, the tougher competition proved to be a challenge for the Coyotes as they wrapped up the second half of the season with a 1-6-1 record. Despite the struggles, the boys displayed incredible resilience. Three of those six losses came by just one point, a testament to the team’s heart and determination. Even in defeat, the Coyotes never stopped fighting and remained a force to be reckoned with on the ice.
As many fans may recall from the first half of the season recap, the Coyotes have developed a love-hate relationship with cats that continues to haunt their season. In one of the most dramatic moments of the second half, the Coyotes found themselves locked in a nail-biting game against Penetang. With less than a minute remaining and the score tied, Coach Jacobs put out a strong line in hopes of securing the win. The Coyotes were just moments away from victory when Penetang took possession of the puck. A shot on net was easily handled by goaltender Price, a save he had made countless times before. But, to the disbelief of everyone in the arena, the puck found its way into the net, giving Penetang the win. After the game, it was discovered that Price’s cat had chewed a large hole in his glove, which allowed the puck to slip right through. While this may seem like a quirky misfortune, it’s just the latest chapter in the Coyotes’ ongoing feline saga. Parents have since been reminded to keep their cats safely locked away as the playoffs approach—no more distractions allowed!
In tournament play, the Coyotes had an unforgettable journey to victory at the Coldwater Classic on Saturday, January 11. The day kicked off with high expectations as the team faced off against the West Lincoln Wolverines in their first game. Despite putting up a solid fight, the Coyotes suffered a tough loss to the Wolverines, who ultimately went on to win the tournament. This initial defeat placed the Coyotes in the Silver Side of the competition, but the team remained determined and focused on their goal.
With a fresh perspective and renewed energy, the Coyotes bounced back in spectacular fashion. Their next two matchups saw them take on Coldwater and Oro, both of which were thrilling victories. The Coyotes’ resilience and teamwork shone brightly as they dominated these games, showing why they deserved a spot at the top. These two exciting wins led the Coyotes to be crowned the Coldwater Classic U13 B Division champions!
Looking ahead, the Coyotes are gearing up for the busy and challenging months of February and March, with playoffs, the Clarington Thunder Classic, and the Constable Morgan Russell Memorial Tournament all on the horizon. The Coyotes’ performance at the Coldwater Classic proves that they have the talent and heart to overcome obstacles and come out on top. Fans and supporters are eagerly anticipating the next chapter of the season as the Coyotes look to make their mark in future tournaments and playoffs. Stay tuned for more updates as this exciting journey continues! Go Coyotes!