Views from Section 8 - NDA Hockey Loop (Part 1)

"Views from Section 8" is a new column written by Don "Butch" Turcotte. The former Trappers Junior "A" coach and father of former NHLer Darren Turcotte will be chiming in with his thoughts here on BayToday.ca. Enjoy!

About a week ago, I contacted all Nipissing District Athletic (NDA) hockey coaches and asked them to email me particulars about their programs. Most of the teams got right on top of things and a couple of clubs I had to contact two and even three times before getting the necessary information to complete this edition. What would happen if one of their students was late with an assignment? I may have to deduct marks on their entries or send them to see the convenor for discipline.

Following is some of the info that was submitted and of course I have added my 'two bits'.

ECOLE ALGONQUIN BARONS

Dale Hewitt is in his seventh consecutive year as the Barons head coach. In the late 90's he stepped aside to spend more time with his two boys, Darren and Nathan, helping out their respective minor hockey programs. Prior to that (1985-1995) he was with the Barons. So adding and subtracting, this is his 17th year as the head coach. He is supported by Chris Kendrick (5 years) and two former Barons Christian Beaudry and Mathieu Perron (goaltending coach). Both Christian and Mathieu are rookies at this level. Sebastien Blais has been his manager for the past several years.

With only a handful of returning players (Dillon Duquette, Marc Gareau, Jean Benoit, Tyler Laporte) the staff will be relying heavily on them to provide the necessary leadership to a group of young players. Hewitt hopes to mold the veterans and younger players into a competitive group. The Barons should be a quick, hard working team whose success will depend on these two factors.

CHIPPEWA SCARLET RAIDERS

Welcome to the Anello-Orlando coaching tandem at the high school level. Carmen and and long-time friend Sandro Orlando (Satch) have been working together for many years. The coaching team have been very successful at the minor hockey levels (house league, A, AA and AAA) winning N.O.H.A. championships. When approached by long-time former Raider coach Randy Mulroy, there was little hesitation that the tandem was up for the challenge. Bob Boal remains the team manager and can ably fill in on the bench. Bob is a priceless member of the Raider staff.

Carmen has always demanded 100% effort and he is OK with whatever the results are if the players compete at this level. The tandem preaches team effort, win or lose, and expect Matt Caruso, Nik Priebe, Sam Cicci, Chris Gravelle, Tony Unger and Jason Perron to lead up-and-coming players to a successful year.

ECOLE FRANCO-CITE PATRIOTES

Note: As head coach Marcel Senecal was out of town for the week, the information required was submitted by Franco staff member and team manager Eric Renaud.

The coaching staff of Marcel and Daniel Tremblay are rookies with the Patriotes team. The two were actively involved in the Sturgeon Falls minor hockey system, last year coaching the AA midget program. They know most of the team players as they have worked with them previously. Other staff include Francois Legault and Renee Duhaime.

The team hopes to equal or better last year's fourth place position. They have returning veterans Pierre Seguin, Andre-Michel Larcher, Patrick Miron, Eric Laforge, Patrick Desjardins, Mathieu Gaudette, Paul Guenette and Phil Beaudry. These veterans hope to provide leadership both on and off the ice to the younger players (6 of them being in grade 10). The team believes they have a good mixture of veterans and youth. So far the team has been very competitive. The Patriotes hope with hard work and dedication it can bring back an NDA hockey title to ESFC.

F.J. McELLIGOTT VOYAGEURS

With a high school enrolment of less than 200, it is amazing that the school can ice a high school hockey program to compete with the other NDA teams. 'Hats off' are in order to Ray Belanger (Head coach), coach Robbie Jones and Murray Peavoy for making this program possible. Ray has spent countless hours (in all capacities) helping the Mattawa youth in their hockey activities. Murray Peavoy, a long time member of the FJ faculty, still bleeds Voyageur blue and his expertise in sports injury in an asset to the team as is Collen Hartwick, a registered nurse at the Mattawa hospital. Mark Desrochers completes the coaching staff of the Voyageurs.

A championship is unrealistic in the NDA hockey loop but being competitive, disciplined, and well conditioned are. The team wants the opposition to work hard to gain points against them. The team tries to instill a "never give up, work hard attitude". This year the team does not have enough depth to overcome their injuries, job commitments, suspensions, etc.. Our players are told that what we lack in talent can be made up with hard work and good attitudes.

Some of the players to keep an eye on are Jason Lacelle, Misha Belter, Josh Dewaal, Shawn Hartwick and Spencer Bigelow. These players have been with us since the start and are excellent mentors and leaders for our younger players.

ST. JOSEPH-SCOLLARD HALL BEARS

The Bears coaching staff is made up of head coach John Wilson, assistant Terry Jackson and Dennis Truchon. Terry and Dennis have been with the program since the 80's and John since the 90's. The threesome love the game and what it brings the the players when they represent the Green and Gold. The Bears have had recent successes. The Nugget Shield has been at the school for the past two seasons.

Every year the Bears set some simple and concise goals - play hard and develop a strong game is the first and foremost. The team wants to improve as the season progresses both as individuals and as a team. Season goals include competing for the Nugget Shield and representing the NDA at NOSSA. As for players who deserve mention, the team tends not to centre out certain players but rather focus on a team game. The veterans provide a lot of leadership and experience while our rookies bring passion and enthusiasm needed for a long season. The hockey program at Scollard tries to to provide the opportunity to the players to grow not only on the ice but off the ice as well. To be successful at anything you must work at it. Nothing comes easy in this world and hockey is no different.

The rest of the schools will be featured in Part II which will be published later this week.