Thank You Everyone
The Sarnia Legionnaires year has come to a close. Could not be more proud of the way our players played throughout the series with the LaSalle Vipers. Our boys stepped it up and showed what we could achieve but unfortunately it did not go our way. We will miss the players that will not be returning next year. We would also like to thank the Sarnia Legionnaires fans for their support and dedication over the hockey season. Our last home game we had 2,000 fans in the building. We had fans wearing our colours and ringing bells and horns and cheering our boys on and we Rocked the Brock St Barn and it was greatly appreciated.
Thank you to the volunteers that help out with the team and thank you to the coach and coaching staff. There are so many people that make this Team so special. Thank you sponsors.
Thank you also to Noeleen Tyczynski and her group for introducing the Program of Excellence. We are very proud of this program and the outcomes that this program produces. This is one reason why the Sarnia Legionnaires is a stand out organization.
Special thanks go out also to the media both on air and in print for their coverage of the season. Coverage of our team is so very important and we appreciate your dedication to your craft.
Thank you everyone.
Let’s Show our Colours
Our next home game is March 12th and let’s show our players our support by wearing Sarnia Legionnaires Colours. Puck will be dropped at 7:10 p.m. at the Brock Street Barn and we are hoping to fill the Barn. Bring your bells and cheer on our Sarnia Legionnaires!!
GOJHL Awards
Congratulations to Brandon Layman who was nominated for MVP in the GOJHL. Way to go Brandon!!
COMMUNITY: Lambton Public Health set to recognize local champions as part of World No Tobacco Day May 31
Observer Staff
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 11:38:20 EDT AM
Lambton Public Health is recognizing five community organizations and one individual with Tobacco-free Champion awards this month.
Awards will be handed out to mark World No Tobacco Day on May 31. This year, the day also commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.
This year’s award winners include Bluewater Health for its smoking cessation program for staff and patients; the Sarnia Legionnaires for its tobacco-free policy for players; Lambton Youth Community Health Action Team (CHAT) for planning and promoting events that encourage a tobacco-free lifestyle; Grant Lee for advocating Lambton Public Health’s iQuit smoking program; and the Lambton Kent and St. Clair Catholic district school boards for their tobacco-free initiatives in partnership with the health unit.
Lambton Public Health continues to offer support and free nicotine replacement therapy to those interested in quitting smoking.
For more information on the health unit’s programs, call the Lambton Tobacco Hotline at 519-383-3810.
Visit who.int or lambtonhealth.on.ca for more information on World No Tobacco Day 2016.
Legionnaires Announce Pair Of Signings
By Josh Boyce May 14, 2016 7:22pm @JTBoyce
The Sarnia Legionnaires continue to build their roster for the upcoming Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League season.
The team held a news conference Saturday evening to announce the signings of local defenceman Nash Nienhuis and Michigan-born goalie Jorgen Johnson.
The 16-year-old Nienhuis tallied two goals and eight points along with 51 penalty minutes in 31 games with the Lambton Jr. Sting Midget AAA program last season.
He also registered two assists in five regular season games with the Legionnaires, and one assist in five playoff matches.
He was chosen in the 14th round of the 2016 OHL draft by the Sarnia Sting.
Johnson, 19, is coming off a great season. He posted a 2.12 goals against average and .920 save percentage in 17 games with the Victory Honda U-18 program. His team won the Michigan state championship and took part in the national tournament.
Fundraising for St Joseph’s Hospice
The Sarnia Legionnaires proudly presented St. Joseph’s Hospice staff with a cheque in the amount of $6060 which was raised through various events in the month of January 2016. Thank you to all that contributed to this effort!
Program of Excellence Can Be Located
Click on the link below to obtain the Program of Excellence information and email link.
This is exciting ground breaking news for the Sarnia Legionnaire family.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Participants
Davis Expands Role With The Legionnaires
By Jake Jeffrey on March 18, 2016 11:22am@heresjake
Head Coach Mark Davis will return to the Sarnia Legionnaires next season with an expanded role.
While maintaining his role behind the bench, Davis will also become Sarnia’s Director of Hockey Operations and Player Personnel.
Davis coached the young Legionnaires to a 23-22-2-3 record, finishing sixth in the GOJHL’s Western Conference. The Legionnaires took the veteran LaSalle Vipers to seven games in a hard fought first round series, that was much closer than many expected with two games that went to overtime.
Six players will graduate from last year’s team because of age, PJ Vandervaart, Konnor Roskovich, Brandon Layman, Ryan Trottier, Jordan Fogarty and leading scorer Ryan Vendramin. Fogarty will attend Princeton University next season on a hockey scholarship.
Sarnia will have several players eligible to return for next season, including a good core of 1998 and 1997 born players.
Davis says he will be kept busy this summer with his new roles.
Reporter Email Jake Jeffrey Twitter @heresjake
Walk A Mile in Her Shoes
The Sarnia Legionnaires will be hosting The Sarnia Women’s Interval Home of Sarnia Lambton and their ‘Walk A Mile in Her Shoes’ campaign. Guess who the players are in the red high heels and win!! For further information about this campaign please go to www.womensintervalhome/walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes.
Congratulations Ryan
Congratulations go out to Ryan Vendramin whowas honoured as offensive player of the month for January 2016. Pictured with Ryan is Mark Tuck.
65 seasons of junior B hockey in Sarnia
Doug White, the Sarnia Legionnaires’ 65-year-old trainer, still vividly remembers watching the team win the 1957-58 Sutherland Cup on home ice when he was just eight years old. The Sarnia resident even recalled exactly where he was sitting that night: Section two, four rows down and approximately the fourth seat in, although the arena had benches back then instead of its current single-seat setup. Terry Bridge/Sarnia Observer/Postmedia Network
As legend has it, a Sarnia high school principal felt teenaged Phil Esposito didn’t have a very bright future ahead of him.
The 1984 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee spent one season, the 1960-61 campaign, playing for the Sarnia Legionnaires junior B club. Team historian Dan McCaffery recalled Esposito was assigned to Sarnia that year after being kicked out of the Ontario Hockey League’s St. Catharines Teepees’ training camp for breaking curfew.
Despite accumulating 47 goals and over 100 points during a modest 32-game schedule, Esposito was struggling off the ice in the classrooms at St. Patrick’s.
“The principal told him, ‘He wouldn’t amount to anything,’” McCaffery said with a chuckle.
The 2015-16 campaign is the 65th season of junior B hockey in Sarnia, and the Esposito tale is just one of many memorable moments surrounding the franchise. The team has actually been around for 67 years as it first set sail as the Sarnia Sailors in the fall of 1949, but two of those seasons were unsuccessful attempts at moving up to tier II junior A.
Over the last six-and-a-half decades the squad has gone through several name changes, including the Legionnaires, Bees, Ranson Bees, Steeplejacks, Steeplejack-Bees, and the Blast.
Former Legionnaires part-owner Greg Burr, who is now in a marketing role with the organization, pointed out some faces in the stands can be traced back to the original Sailors’ roots.
“There was a time you could walk around (Sarnia Arena) and there were some old guys standing around that rail that were there when I was a kid back in the ’50s,” Burr said. “Same spots.”
The club’s staff and volunteer base have been remarkably loyal, too. Executive member Cliff Smith, a 65-year-old Sarnia resident, has been involved since 1995.
“It’s been a good run,” he said, recalling the days when the Steeplejacks used to play at Clearwater Arena.
He had two top memories of his tenure with the team. One: The Blast winning the 2002 Sutherland Cup.
“A great memory, obviously,” Smith said.
And two: Reverting back to the Legionnaires’ moniker in 2008, a move which seemed to reinvigorate a section of the local fan base.
“Went from 400 (fans) a game to 1,300 overnight,” McCaffery said. “Sponsors doubled or tripled.
“Of course they had a championship team, that didn’t hurt.”
Winning Sutherland Cups, junior B hockey’s provincial championship, is a significant part of Sarnia’s on-ice history. According to McCaffery, the club has claimed seven Sutherlands: Three in the 1950s, two in the ’60s, one in the ’70s and, most recently, in ’02.
Doug White, the Legionnaires’ 65-year-old trainer, still vividly remembers watching the team win the 1957-58 Sutherland title on home ice when he was just eight years old. The Sarnia resident even recalled exactly where he was sitting that night: Section two, four rows down and approximately the fourth seat in, although the arena had benches back then instead of its current single-seat setup.
“I never forgot that, man. That was unbelievable. They had to stop the game because guys were hanging from the rafters,” White said, also pointing out the end boards were strung with chicken wire to protect fans from flying pucks as opposed to plexiglass.
Doug Caley’s name is on the Sutherland Cup in three different capacities during his time with Sarnia, as a player, scout, and general manager.
“And he’s still scouting for us,” Smith said.
Also watching the team play from a quasi-scouting perspective is Rick Burrows. Up in the rink’s public address announcer’s booth, Burrows has been voicing details on goals and penalties at home games for the last five-plus years.
“You can tell the history right here in Sarnia Arena,” he said, motioning towards the litany of banners dangling from the rafters.
Burrows was the play-by-play voice of the Legionnaires on CHOK radio during the ’02 playoffs and his personal highlight was calling the winner-take-all Game 7 of the Sutherland final in Sarnia between the Blast and the visiting Elmira Sugar Kings.
“A tremendous, big crowd here. Great support,” the 65-year-old Sarnia resident said. “Great game.”
Deb Lawrence, a 58-year-old Sarnia native who has filled a variety of roles for the team since 1999, will never forget the look on captain Mike Fleming’s face when the final buzzer rang out that night.
“I remember running on the ice and just watching this big smile,” Lawrence said.
He wasn’t the only one smiling on that occasion.
“That whole year was just kind of magical,” she said, recalling the team had to win previous do-or-die Game 7s against Leamington and Chatham. “They couldn’t do anything the easy way but still came through.”
Current assistant coach Justin Day has watched Sarnia’s on-ice performance from several different angles. Before joining the club’s bench last season, Day briefly played for the team around the turn of the century when they skated at the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre, then returned from living in Owen Sound just in time for the ’02 run.
“I came to almost every game, it was pretty cool to be in the rink for that,” the 33-year-old Sarnia resident recalled.
But it’s not just about the banners.
Legionnaires general manager Bob Williamson has been involved with hockey teams for 45 years. The 62-year-old Sarnia resident joined the local junior B franchise when former NHL’er Pat Verbeek purchased it and pointed out the club has sent a long list of players on to higher levels.
“It’s been a long tradition,” he said. “To see the history and see the guys that have gone on is the most important thing, because really we haven’t put anybody in the NHL probably in the last 10 years but back 10-15 years ago we were putting them in by the handful.”
Wayne Merrick, Jerry Butler, Mike Dark, Robbie Moore, Billy Lochead, Dino Ciccarelli, Pat Stapleton, and of course Esposito, were a few names that came to mind from various staff members.
The club has also come up against some top-level talent.
Current head coach Mark Davis is on his fourth tour of duty with the team spanning four decades. He remembered guiding the club to the 1989 Sutherland round robin where they faced the St. Michael’s Buzzers and a young forward named Eric Lindros.
“I remember every time that guy got the puck on his stick it was in the back of our net,” Davis said. “We couldn’t stop him. I remember guys reading Sports Illustrated going on the way down to St. Mike’s our first game and reading about Lindros or reading about him in the paper and saying, ’14-year-old, pff, he ain’t going to push us over.’ And these were 20 year olds. Oh yeah, every goal he scored was on his backhand.”
It isn’t always about the NHL, though, as several skaters have earned scholarships through the program. The most recent example is Sarnia native Jordan Fogarty, a 20-year-old forward who will attend Princeton next season to play for the Tigers under his father, and fellow former Sarnia junior B player, Ron Fogarty.
Legionnaires assistant general manager Jim Drexler, 48, has been helping Williamson assemble the team for the last five years, and the scholarship aspect is just as important to him.
“I take pride in being involved with a great organization and a great tradition,” Drexler said. “Seeing the kids achieve personal goals.
“Kids are reaching them and getting scholarships and moving on to higher levels. It’s good to see that.”
For some, junior B hockey in Sarnia is a family tradition.
Tom Norris Jr. is only in his second season with the team as an assistant coach, but he recalled learning about its lore while growing up in Sarnia.
“Just hearing stories from my grandma (Noreen Norris) over the years,” the 33-year-old said. “About when they first started up and everything like that.”
And of course, Norris is the son of Tom Norris, a legendary figure with the team and general manager of several Sutherland Cup championship teams in the club’s early days.
But it’s also a family atmosphere for non-related staff. If you walk through the main entrance of Sarnia Arena on a Thursday night, chances are you’ll see the dedicated duo of Jessie Cahill and Mary Anderson running the door.
“I think it’s great (to reach season 65),” said Cahill, 74, in her ninth year with the team. “It seems like it’s a family here.
“Here everybody pretty well knows everybody and everybody is friendly.”
“It’s a family atmosphere,” agreed Anderson, 74, who has done this job for about seven years. “I love it.”
Chris Guthrie, assistant equipment manager, is in his first year back with the team after a 20-year hiatus. The 38-year-old Sarnian said the team and its fan base are full of quality characters.
“A lot of heart-and-soul people here,” he said.
Sixty-five seasons of heart and soul and memories and championships.
Just like Esposito, the franchise certainly did amount to something.
Third Jersey Premiers
The Sarnia Legionnaires unveiled a ‘throwback’ third jersey Feb. 18. Shown here displaying one of the bright red unifroms are, from left: Cliff Smith of the Sarnia Legionnaires Executive, Jerry MacPhee, a past president of the Seaway Kiwanis Club, team captain Hunter Tyczynski and Seaway president Don Burnard.
The new third jersey… and they are spectacular!! A huge thank you to the Seaway Kiwanis for sponsoring these jerseys.
Captain Hunter Tyczynski of the Sarnia Legionnaires is shown here wearing the club’s new third jersey. Standing behind him are Jerry MacPhee, past president of the Seaway Kiwanis Club (which paid for the jerseys), Seaway president Don Burnard and Legionnaires president Tom Knight.
Sarnia Legionnaires Tobacco-Free Policy
Tobacco-Free Policy
Background
The Sarnia Legionnaires organization is committed to providing a healthy environment for players, coaches, volunteers and spectators. We recognize there is significant evidence demonstrating the negative health impacts of tobacco use (including chew tobacco), of exposure to second-hand smoke and of e-cigarette use. It is important to acknowledge that children and youth see our players as role-models and leaders. Players are respected leaders and have the ability to send a clear and positive message to fans and the community about being tobacco-free.
This policy is established to:
- Discourage youth from starting to use tobacco products
- Allow everyone a chance to perform at their best, given the known risks of using tobacco and the impact on athletic performance
- Provide a safe, supportive and healthy environment for all people in our organization
- Support players to make healthy lifestyle choices and emphasize the harmful effects of tobacco use
- Encourage positive role modelling and leadership behaviours from individuals within our organization
- Support players and staff interested in quitting tobacco use
Policy Statement
The Sarnia Legionnaires will declare, establish and maintain a tobacco-free environment. Smoking and/or holding lit tobacco and electronic cigarette products, consuming or using any tobacco products (e.g., chewing tobacco), or any imitation tobacco products is prohibited at any time while representing the Sarnia Legionnaires organization.
Application of Policy
Tobacco-free means that the use of tobacco and tobacco-like products by players coaches, leaders, and volunteers within our organization is prohibited during all activities sanctioned or engaged in by our organization.
Tobacco products are defined to include cigarettes, cigars, pipes, cigarillos, smokeless tobacco such as chew, spit, dip, snuff or snus, hookah, bidis, kreteks and electronic cigarettes (whether or not they contain nicotine).
This policy applies to all Sarnia Legionnaires players while representing the organization. This includes, but is not limited to activities such as games, practices, travel, training sessions, special events, banquets and anywhere else players represent the Sarnia Legionnaires in public. Locations for each of these activities will vary; however our policy will apply to all locations where a Sarnia Legionnaires sanctioned activity takes place.
Policy Implementation/Procedures
We will promote the tobacco-free policy by:
- Posting this policy to the Sarnia Legionnaires website
- Providing information on the policy to players, coaches, owners and others in our organization
- Reviewing and sharing the policy with other organizations who may attend or participate in our activities
- Including the policy in all orientation and information packages to new members of the organization
- Making the policy visible throughout the year using various opportunities such as websites, banners, signs at events, announcements and through media
- Encouraging players, coaches and volunteers to promote a tobacco-free lifestyle
Policy Enforcement
We will use the following steps to enforce our policy:
- Ensure that those in the Sarnia Legionnaires organization are aware of our tobacco-free policy
- Encourage our coaches, players, officials and volunteers to respectfully remind individuals using tobacco at Sarnia Legionnaires activities about the tobacco-free policy.
- Provide a verbal warning by the head coach to individuals who repeatedly do not follow the policy.
- If a person continues to not follow the tobacco-free policy, the head coach shall take appropriate action.
The success of this tobacco-free policy depends on mutual consideration and co-operation of all involved in the Sarnia Legionnaires organization.
Sarnia Legionnaires develop tobacco-free policy
The Sarnia Legionnaires Junior B Hockey Club has shut out tobacco use.
The Legionnaires have created a tobacco-free sport policy banning the use of any type of tobacco product by players, coaches, leaders, and volunteers while representing the organization.
“Whether you’re an athlete, a fan, or community resident, we all know the harmful effects of tobacco use,” says Legionnaires’ forward Brendan Shagena. “The policy sets a great example, not just for young hockey players, but for the community, that we’re serious about getting rid of tobacco use.”
Lambton Public Health encourages other sports, recreation organizations and teams in Lambton County to develop their own tobacco-free policy.
Ashlyn Brown, Health Promoter at Lambton Public Health, says “A tobacco-free policy sends a clear message the organization values health and wellness and supports a tobacco-free lifestyle.”
“The Legionnaires’ policy recognizes players as role models and leaders in our community and that will help prevent youth from starting tobacco products and perform at their best.”
Project partner, Dr. Jennifer Thomm of Great Lakes Dental, sees firsthand the destructive effects of tobacco use.
“Users must know they risk more than developing oral cancer. Tobacco causes bad breath, gum disease, oral lesions and tooth discolouration. Using tobacco is not a harmless activity; the consequences to your oral health can be long-term and severe.”
Lambton Public Health and the Sarnia Legionnaires are holding “Tobacco-Free Night” at the Legionnaires’ game on Thursday, February 4. For more information about tobacco-free sports, visit www.lambtonhealth.on.ca or www.playlivebetobaccofree.ca.
Article taken from the LakeshoreAdvance.com
Congratulations to Brett Storr
Congratulations to Brett Storr who was presented with a plaque for Player of the Month for December by Mark Tuck at last nights game.
Do It For Sarnia campaign for mental health officially kicks off February 6
Dan Edwards is officially kicking off his $150,000 Do It For Sarnia Fundraising campaign for Bluewater Health’s mental health department at Saturday’s Legionnaires home game. Pictured at the Sarnia Arena with Edwards’ are Legionnaires players Brock Perry, left, Aidan Hughes, and Sam McCormack. (Tyler Kula, The Observer)
The Sarnia Legionnaires are gearing up to help motivational speaker Dan Edwards officially launch his $150,000 campaign to support community mental health care, and to pay forward a big favour.
The Jr. ‘B’ squad is hosting Saturday’s kick-off for Edwards’ Do It For Sarnia campaign — a massive, multi-pronged bid to pay forward the community’s goodwill after it raised $180,000 more than 10 years ago for the now-27-year-old Sarnia man.
Edwards was paralyzed from the neck down when he fell on his head after horsing around with friends.
The Do It For Dan campaign, launched by Edwards’ friends, helped pay for home renovations, a wheelchair and other costs.
All the money in this campaign, which takes a lot of symbolism from its predecessor and culminates with a documentary screening Aug. 18 — a decade, to the day, since Edwards was injured — is earmarked for Bluewater Health’s mental health department.
“Everything is going to be going towards something that I feel Sarnia knows something well about,” said Edwards about the cause.
He became a motivational speaker to help make a difference after a rash of teen suicides in Sarnia in 2011 and 2012.
“It’s been tough trying to get people to understand that this is something real,” he said. “There’s a stigma about this that you try to kick under the rug, but it’s real and it’s happening.”
Fundraising plans include soliciting schools to drum up donations, and persuading restaurants to host nights dedicated to the campaign. Other initiatives are also in the works, Edwards said.
Saturday, as the Legionnaires host the Leamington Flyers, Edwards and a Bluewater Health staff member will be on site answering questions about mental health.
“Mainly we want to let people know that this campaign is getting kicked off, just to start a buzz to help promote it,” Edwards said, noting there’ll also be campaign t-shirts and prize giveaways.
The Legionnaires are a good pick for the launch since they’re a symbol in the Sarnia community, Edwards said, noting he used to work for one of the players’ parents and also gave an inspirational talk to the team earlier this season.
“I’m thankful for their support,” he said.
Players are also sensitive to the cause.
“We’ve had a lot of people in Sarnia that have passed away through mental health,” said blueliner Sam McCormack.
“We definitely need to be aware of it and this campaign; it’s good for getting people aware.”
Donations to the campaign, meanwhile, can be made to the Bluewater Health Foundation at bluewaterhealthfoundation.ca.
Currently, the campaign tally sits at $500.
IF YOU GO
What: Do It For Sarnia campaign kickoff/Sarnia Legionnaires game
When: Feb. 6, 7:10 p.m.
Where: Sarnia Arena, 134 Brock St. S.
Sarnia Legionnaires Calendar Winners
Congratulations to the following winners!! Thank you for your continued support of our calendars!!
Early Bird Draw Winner Gene Lumley Calendar #0331
- Calendar #772 – Mike Land – Jan 01, 2016
- Calendar #788 – Len Lester – Jan 02, 2016
- Calendar #912 – Norma Glover – Jan 03, 2016
- Calendar #846 – Jeremy & Kelly DeBoer – Jan 04, 2016
- Calendar #237 – Bob Foisey – Jan 05, 2016
- Calendar #622 – Dave Campbell – Jan 06, 2016
- Calendar #300 – Jordan Fogarty – Jan 07, 2016
- Calendar #182 – Shirley Zimmerman – Jan 08, 2016
- Calendar #932 – Joan Caley – Jan 09, 2016
- Calendar #32 – Julie Webster-Waldie – Jan 11, 2016
- Calendar #167 – James Tauvette – Jan 12, 2016
- Calendar #178 – David Friesen – Jan 13, 2016
- Calendar #301 – Catriona Belet – Jan 14, 2016
- Calendar #232 – John Kingyens – Jan 15, 2016
- Calendar #228 – Chris MacKenzie – Jan 16, 2016
- Calendar #970 – Bob Farlow – Jan 17, 2016
- Calendar #843 – Peter Humble – Jan 18, 2016
- Calendar #231 – Eric MacKenzie – Jan 19, 2016
- Calendar #39 – Cathy Marlow – Jan 20, 2016
- Calendar #874 – Ron Free – Jan 21, 2016
- Calendar #838 – Lindsey Gervais – Jan 22, 2016
- Calendar #927 – Megan Sygrove – Jan 23, 2016
- Calendar #042 – Cathy Marlowe – Jan 24, 016
- Calendar #028 – Sheri McLaren – Jan 25, 2016
- Calendar #651 – Roger & Audrey Bryan – Jan 26, 2016
- Calendar #464 – Jen Shagena – Jan 27, 2016
- Calendar #559 – Randy Drydak – Jan 28, 2016
- Calendar #185 – Marysue Knowles – Jan 29, 2016
- Calendar #420 – Dan DeKoning – Jan 30, 2106
- Calendar #88 – Dave Yowart – Feb 1, 2016
- Calendar #921 – Ron Schiestal – Feb 2, 2016
- Calendar #961 – Bob Farlow – Feb 3, 2016
- Calendar #891- Crystal Kenny – Feb 4, 2016
- Calendar #42 – Cathy Marlowe – Feb 5, 2016
- Calendar #650 – Wayne Cowell – Feb 6, 2016
- Calendar #26 – Adam Laurendeau – Feb 7, 2016
- Calendar #235 – Helen Mead – Feb 8, 2016
- Calendar #787 – Len Lester – Feb 9, 2016
- Calendar #42 – Cathy Marlowe – Feb 10, 2016
- Calendar #891 – Crystal Kenny – Feb 11, 2016
- Calendar #206 – Nancy Clarke – Feb 13, 2016
- Calendar #676 – Sherri Cooledge – Feb 14, 2016
- Calendar #299 – Jordan Fogarty – Feb 15, 2016
- Calendar #793 – Tim Phillips – Feb 16, 2016
- Calendar #596 – Lynn Coats – Feb 17, 2016
- Calendar #345 – Noeleen Tyczynski – Feb 18, 2016
- Calendar #266 – Barb Lightfoot – Feb 25, 2016
- Calendar #570 – Derek Joanisse – Feb 26, 2016
- Winner of the Jersey draw at the Souvenir Booth – Sue Zappa
Sarnia Legionnaires Player Cards and more….
On February 4th we will be hosting ‘Carpenters Local 1256 Family & Friends’ and ‘Smoke Free’ check out their table and free gift for the first 600 fans. Smoke Free will also be introducing the new “Legionnaires Player Cards” so hand around after the game for autographs in the lobby. All minor hockey players wearing their team or favourite jersey will be admitted free to the game.
Pictured above is Sue Doherty Program of Excellence, Sarnia Legionnaires Player Brendan Shagena, Sponsor Dr. Jennifer Thomm Great Lakes Dentistry
Partnering with the Sarnia Police ‘Ride Program’
Excellence is Never an Accident
“Excellence is never an accident, it is the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillfull execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities” Quote by Anonymous
Hockey Day in Sarnia to be marked Saturday
The fifth annual ‘Hockey Day in Sarnia’ will be staged Saturday.
Jim Drexler, assistant general manager of the Legionnaires Jr. ‘B’ hockey club, said a number of the team’s players will serve as ‘celebrity’ coaches for house league games that morning.
Forward Brandon Layman, who has participated in the event during both of the past two years, says the athletes are looking forward to taking part.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Layman said. “They (the minor hockey players) definitely appreciate it and ask a bunch of questions.”
Layman added he looked up to older players when he was young. “It’s a role reversal and it’s nice to give back,” he said.
The festivities will continue Saturday night when the Legionnaires play host to the first-place Leamington Flyers in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Sarnia Arena.
Puck drop is set for 7:10 p.m.
Drexler said minor hockey players from across Sarnia-Lambton who show up wearing their team jerseys or jackets will be admitted free. And that includes athletes from both boys’ and girls’ teams.
After the contest, fans are invited to skate with the Legionnaires.
Players will also be available to sign autographs.
2015-2016 Rooster
Playoff Tickets / Games
Tickets will be available for purchase during the second and third intermission of our final home game on February 25th. Additional presale dates will be announced at seasons end. Playoff game schedule will be posted as soon as it is released.
Stokes by the Bay Bar and Grill and the Sarnia Legionnaires
Did you know that you can purchase game tickets at Stokes by the Bay Bar and Grill? When you purchase your game day tickets there you can show your tickets for a great deal on your food purchases and special promotions.
Stokes by the Bay Bar and Grill also offer a Fan Bus that leaves there at 6:30 p.m. sharp and takes you to the Sarnia Arena for the game. Once the game is done return to Stokes by the Bay Bar and Grill for free appetizers.
Check out all Sarnia Legionnairesevents and promotions on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/stokesbaysarnia
FREE personalized sized appetizer after the game – Show your ticket and receive 1 (one) personal size nacho, spinach dip or wing!!
*must have Sarnia Legionniares ticket to qualify
Jordan Fogarty has earned a Division 1 NCAA Hockey Scholarship to Princeton
Jordan Fogarty in third year with Sarnia Legionnaires
By Dan McCaffery, Special to The Observer
Wednesday, January 27, 2016 1:15:03 EST PM
Sarnia native Jordan Fogarty (centre) has won a Division 1 NCAA hockey scholarship. The Sarnia Legionnaires forward is shown with his grandparents Mike and Diane Fogarty. HANDOUT/SARNIA OBSERVER/POSTMEDIA NETWORK
Just weeks after winning a prestigious NCAA Division 1 hockey scholarship, Jordan Fogarty is closing in on another milestone.
The speedy Sarnia Legionnaires forward needs only one more goal or assist to collect the 100th point of his Jr. ‘B’ career.
It’s a benchmark he’ll be shooting for Thursday when the Legion crew hosts the St. Marys Lincolns at the Brock Street barn.
“Obviously it’ll be an achievement, but I don’t want to stop there, I want to keep moving forward,” the Sarnia native says.
Fogarty, who is in his third year in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, won his scholarship from Princeton University, where he will study economics. Once his playing days are over, he hopes for a career in business or on Wall Street.
“It’s something to fall back on (when his playing days are over),” Fogarty said.
He added getting a scholarship “was my goal when I joined the Legionnaires. And they’ve supported me. When I got here Dan Rose (former Legionnaires coach) told me he could get me where I wanted to go. Mark Davis (the club’s current bench boss) told me the same thing. He told me I could go far.”
He expects to play four years with the Princeton Tigers and, after that, possibly turn professional, either in North America or Europe.
“I’ll take it one day at a time, but it’s every kid’s dream to play professionally,” he said.
Whatever happens, Fogarty says he owes a lot to his teammates, who have played a big part in his success.
As for the rest of the current campaign, Fogarty believes the Legionnaires can go far.
“People see a sixth-place team but we’ve had a lot of bad luck with injuries and suspensions. I think we’re a top three team when it comes to calibre. And anything can happen in the playoffs.”
Legionnaires general manager Bob Williamson isn’t surprised by Fogarty’s accomplishments.
“He’s a player who inspires everybody,” the GM said. “He’s very determined and a hard worker. He’s also fast, a great skater with a good shot – he has all the tools. Guys like him just don’t come along every year.”
Sarnia Legionnaire Promotional Items
Fans have you checked out the promotional items that we have for sale each week in the lobby. This year being the 65th Anniversary we have special items such as various T-shirts and hats with the 65th Anniversary Logo on it. They are selling quickly so don’t miss out!! We also have other items such as jerseys, coats, hoodies, cow bells, blankets and numerous other items. Drop by and check us out..you don’t want to miss out on our quality merchandise.
New photo of the Sarnia Legionnaire Players for 2015 available.
Fast Hockey
2015 Labour Day Parade
Final Bidding Jan 28th
On Thursday Jan 28th at 9:00 p.m. bidding was ended for the Legionnaire-Hospice Jerseys. This was a tremendous success and all the proceeds from the sale of the jersey’s along with other monies raised in the month of January will go to St. Joseph’s Hospice of Sarnia Lambton.
For those who won their jersey’s and have not received or paid yet, please see Cliff at the next home game.
Thank you to the Sarnia Lambton community for their continued support of the Sarnia Legionnaires and St. Joseph’s Hospice of Sarnia Lambton.
First Responders Appreciation Night
First Responders Appreciation Night at the Brock Street Barn
On Thursday October 1, 2015 the Sarnia Legionnaires Junior Hockey Club, honoured all Lambton County First Responders during our home game against the Lambton Shores Predators. We appreciate and would like to thank all the First Responders that attended our game for this special night honouring them.
Sarnia Legionnaires Cookie Bake Sale for St Joseph’s Hospice Sarnia Lambton
Raised $2000. + in the Cookie Sale MMM MMMM
Thank you to Jeff, Pam and Betty Percival — the organizers and bakers of this event.
Thank you to the Sarnia Community for baking for our sale, or donating towards the cookie bake sale. We could not do this without you.
Enjoyed by all – thank you Percivals for all your very hard work.
Sarnia Legionnaires Support St Joseph’s Hospice Sarnia Lambton
Sarnia Legionnaires wear this fundraising jersey for warmups in the month of January. The Jerseys are auctioned and all proceeds go to the Hospice.
Rogers Hometown Hockey – Thank You
Student Poster
The Sarnia Arena Home to The Sarnia Legionnaires
Located at 134 Brock Street South Sarnia
Sarnia Sting (OHL) (1994–1997)
Sarnia Sailors (OHASr) (1953–1954)
Sarnia Legionnaires (WOHL) (1954–1968)
Sarnia Legionnaires (Jr. A) (1968–1970)
Sarnia Bees (WOHL) (1969–1995)
Sarnia Steeplejacks (1995–1999) (WOHL)
Sarnia Steeplejack Bees (1999–2001) (WOHL)
Sarnia Blast (2001–2008) (WOHL)
Sarnia Legionnaires (2008 – present) (WOHL)
Sarnia Legionnaires Attend P.C. McGibbon School with Hometown Hockey
Sarnia Legionnaires Hometown Hockey
Pictured above left to right – Brock Perry, Jeff Perry, Tracy Pereira (Vice Principal), Helen Lane (Principal), Mike Dark
By Dan McCaffery
SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER
The Rogers Hometown Hockey festival will kick off Friday with the Sarnia Legionnaires visiting Pauline McGibbon School.
Greg Burr, who is in charge of the Jr. ‘B’ hockey club’s media relations, says Rogers will be filming the visit and interviewing students.
“We are so proud to be a part of it,” Burr said, adding five players will participate in the school visit, which begins at 2 p.m.
Legionnaires Brock Perry, Sam McCormack, Brad Yowart, Aidan Hughes and Jordan Fogarty will talk to students about such things as teamwork and sportsmanship.
Mayor Mike Bradley will be on hand and a slide show about the history of the team will be shown. As well, tickets for Saturday’s Legionnaire home game against the St. Thomas Stars will be given to the entire student body and staff.
Any minor hockey players from across Lambton County who show up in their team’s jersey will be admitted to the game free, as will any children aged 12 and under.
The game will also include the team’s annual Woollie Toss, Turkey Toss and canned food drive.
The Legionnaires have also lined up a number of other events to coincide with Hometown Hockey, which will be filmed in Sarnia over the weekend.
Among other things, the club will present a Legionnaires jersey to on-air-personality Ron MacLean. It will also give MacLean a second sweater for his sidekick, legendary hockey commentator Don Cherry.
“Don’s sweater will have No. 2 on the back, which is the number he wore (as a professional player),” Burr said. “Ron’s will have No. 5 because he has reached Level 5 in Hockey Canada coaching.”
On top of that, the Legionnaires will have a tent set up Saturday and Sunday on the waterfront at Front and George streets (near the Hometown Hockey trailer).
Players will be on hand to sign autographs and the Sutherland Cup, which is emblematic of Ontario Jr. ‘B’ hockey supremacy, will be on display.
Former Sarnia Jr. ‘B’ heroes, including Dino Ciccarelli and Pat Stapleton, will be taking part in some of the weekend’s events, along with former NHL stars Darryl Sittler, Bryan Trottier, Darren McCarty and Mike Stapleton.
A number of NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup, will be part of the festival as well.
65th Anniversary and Rogers Hometown Hockey
This year marks the 65th Anniversary of our Junior B Team. Events are planned starting with filling the Brock Street Barn on December 19th. That night we will be playing the St. Thomas Stars and we will be having our Annual WoolyToss, Turkey Toss, and Canned Food Drive for our Community.
Our players will also be taking part in Rogers Hometown Hockey. Our players will be visiting P.E. McGibbon School, signing autographs and meeting fans and other activities. More details to be posted soon.
Hope you can take part in our activities this weekend and don’t forget to follow us on our Facebook page and Twitter.
Sarnia Legionnaire Facebook Page
Due to the change in Facebook policy – we have had to set up a new Facebook page.
Please like our page, and spread the word. You can find the link to our Facebook page at the bottom of this page.
Sarnia Legionnaires
Sponsor – Kel Gor drops the puck
Legionnaires Team
Legionnaires are getting ready for the season– Are you ready
Legionnaires sign Players
The Sarnia Legionnaires have signed two OHL draft picks, They include, on the left, Ethan DuPont and, on the right, Brad Yowart. In the centre is head coach Mark Davis.
Photo by Anne Tigwell
By Dan McCaffery
Two OHL draft picks have signed Jr. ‘B’ cards with the Sarnia Legionnaires.
General manager Bob Williamson announced Thursday the team has signed Brad Yowart, a draft pick of the Oshawa Generals, and Ethan DuPont, who is the property of the Sudbury Wolves.
Yowart, a 19-year-old defenceman, has three years of Jr. ‘B’ experience under his belt, including one season with the Guelph Hurricanes and two with the Listowel Cyclones.
Yowart, who stands six feet tall and weighs 180 pounds, describes himself as a playmaking rearguard who will take the body if necessary.
He became available to the Legionnaires after enrolling at the Lambton College fire school.
“”I couldn’t be more excited” about coming to Sarnia, the Guelph native said. “The fan base here is awesome.”
Last season, in 48 games, he had two goals and 13 assists.
Looking ahead, Yowart said he hopes to play NCAA hockey once his junior career is over.
Legionnaires head coach Mark Davis said, “He’s a great offensive-defenseman. They (Listowel) used him on the powerplay.”
The bench boss added Yowart makes a good first pass when attempting to get the puck out of his own zone. “He’s coming in as a 19-year-old, his leadership is going to be very important.”
Ethan DuPont, a 17-year-old Corunna native, is a gritty rightwinger who played with minor midget with the Lambton Jr. Sting before spending last winter with the Jr. ‘C’ Mooretown Flags.
The Sudbury Wolves web site describes him as “a grinder who excels at winning battles in corners and in front of the net. He is a quick, tough kid. He has some development to do physically, but as he gets bigger he could progress as a spark plug.”
Asked to describe his style, DuPont said he plays a physical brand of hockey. “I’m an energy player, I like to hit,” he said.
Standing 5’10 and weighing in at 170 pounds, he played 33 games with the Flags last year, scoring seven goals and setting up seven others. He also amassed 107 penalty minutes.
Coach Davis said, “Dupey is a tough rightwinger that works the corners…He’s a warrior.”
Davis added DuPont is not afraid to go into dirty areas, has a heavy shot and works hard in practise.
A graduate of Sir John Moore elementary school in Corunna, DuPont is currently a student at St. Pat’s High School in Sarnia.
He eventually hopes to play in the OHL.
Welcome to the Legionnaire Family
Sarnia Legionnaires Announces Program of Excellence for Players
Program of Excellence Press Release
By Dan McCaffery
The Sarnia Legionnaires have launched two new programs that head coach Mark Davis says should help the club recruit top-flight talent.
Davis said the Program of Excellence, along with the Empower Play SAT Preparation Program, will give the Jr. ‘B’ hockey club a leg up when it comes to attracting players.
“I’ve coached a couple of teams,” Davis joked (he’s actually coached half a dozen junior clubs) “and there’s nobody around who’s got this. Both programs are amazing. Once parents take a look at this, you’re going to see a lot of kids wanting to come to Sarnia…This is awesome. This is huge for the Sarnia Legionnaires.”
Noeleen Tyczynski, who developed the Program of Excellence, said it will provide opportunities both on and off the ice for quality training time and coaching instruction.
Among other things, the program will do the following:
Provide players with exposure to college and/or university recruiters and will assist individual players with the appropriate skill set to explore opportunities to play at a higher level. All players will have personalized hockey resumes developed, along with a video reel that will capture their highlight moments throughout the season.
The Legionnaires will offer, in partnership with Empower Play, the opportunity for players to enroll in SAT (the scholastic aptitude test or scholastic assessment test) academic prep classes and complete SAT testing. Based on test results, academic supports will be implemented to assist players to improve further testing results.
The team will engage with academic advisers to track and support players’ scholastic progress both at the high school and college level for players enrolled in schools within Sarnia-Lambton.
The Legionnaires will offer players access to a full complement of health and wellness professionals from the team kinesiologist, dentist, chiropractor, conditioning specialist, career counsellors, life coach, academic advisers and public health educators.
The team will ensure each player will have a personal assessment at the beginning of the season to develop a life plan.
Each player will also be provided with access to a gym membership and a personal trainer.
The Legionnaires will also provide opportunities for players with respect to social development, which may include opportunities to participate in community events, charitable fundraisers and fan appreciation activities.
The team will also introduce a speakers series which will bring in guest speakers to talk about such things as health, nutrition, self-care and dealing with the pressure of playing a competitive sport.
Empower Play
The Empower Play program will be be led by Sarnia Collegiate student services curriculum leader Ryan Bedard.
It will consist of three phases designed to prepare elite athletes (as well as other youth) for writing their SATS successfully.
The program will be available to Legionnaire players at no charge.
Among other things, information will be provided on writing SATS and tips and will be based on the curriculum provided by the the US Colleges Board.
These sessions will be held at SCITS, just down the street from Sarnia Arena.
There will also be official practice test sessions and tutoring sessions.
New sponsorship
The Legionnaires also announced Stokes Bay will be a sponsor of the club. Fans are encouraged to come to the restaurant on game nights, where a bus will take them to and from the games. There will also be specials offered.
Season Tickets
Cost is $150 for Season Pass, includes reserved seat (Until July 1)
Passes can be obtained by contacting
Cliff Smith 519-336-8514
Terry Lilley 519-542-4994
Aqua Pools. Theo Bet 519-542-7665 or 519-337-2020
The Sarnia Legionnaire Legend Continues
Legionnaire Award Winners
Nine players were honoured Friday at the Sarnia Legionnaires annual awards banquet. They included, seated from left: Brandon Layman (Most Improved Player), Nathan Mater (Peoples’ Choice Award and co-winner of the MPV trophy), Tyler Prong (best defenceman and co-winner of the MVP award) and Jordan Fogarty (Most Dedicated). Standing, same order: Cameron Clarke (Rookie-of-the-Year), Andrew Masters and Ryan Trottier (co-winners of the playoff MVP award), Davis Boyer (Top Scorer) and Hayden Allen (Spirit Award).
Sarnia Legionnaires Sponsors
Sarnia Legionnaires are starting a exciting and new season. If you are interested in supporting your community Jr B Hockey team. Please contact Theo Bet regarding the many different ways you can sponsor the Legionnaires.
Contact Theo Bet
Billets
The Sarnia Legionnaires are looking for billets.
If you are interested please contact
Billeting Coordinators at 226-886-1684.