CHL Weekend Review: November’s first taste of noteworthy news
We’re past the quarter mark of the Canadian Hockey League season and as the calendar turns to November there’s lots to follow both on and off the ice.
Here’s a closer look at some of the latest headlines and community events from coast-to-coast.
Hockey Fights Cancer
Pink in the Rink was a prevalent theme throughout October as teams helped raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. The fight continues around the hockey world in November with the Owen Sound Attack and London Knights the latest to show their support for those battling cancer.
Boys look great and are ready to play! #HockeyFightsCancer pic.twitter.com/OegqHYdJ7D
— Owen Sound Attack (@AttackOHL) November 2, 2019
Tomorrow night the London Knights will take the ice to honour those who have fought or are still fighting. #HockeyFightsCancer pic.twitter.com/fPxWkwKEal
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) November 1, 2019
Loving the way our Wall Of Hope has turned out. 💜#HockeyFightsCancer pic.twitter.com/2AmJXsmnKX
— Owen Sound Attack (@AttackOHL) November 2, 2019
Theme jerseys and personal tributes by players and fans were just some of the ways both clubs made the night special.
Hitmen honour the Hitman
The Calgary Hitmen hosted ‘Bret the Hitman Hart Night’ on Saturday in the latest event to commemorate the club’s 25th anniversary season.
Beautiful 😍 #25Together pic.twitter.com/vLNJxnrETt
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) November 2, 2019
The Hitmen honoured their namesake, Bret Hart, by highlighting his wrestling legacy, commitment to the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre, and longstanding relationship with the team.
Saluting the Troops
While Remembrance Day and Veterans Day on Monday will yield tributes across Canada and the United States for men and women of service and war fallen heroes, the Saginaw Spirit and North Bay Battalion showed their support for the Troops during their most recent home games.
The Saginaw Spirit were honored to have held a surprise homecoming for Chief Boatswain’s Mate Jeff Dehaan.
Thank you for your service and welcome home! 🇺🇸#SoarWithUs pic.twitter.com/ZogYlrHKTk
— Saginaw Spirit (@SpiritHockey) November 4, 2019
Remembrance views. #BattleTogether pic.twitter.com/XDSQ7koKpi
— North Bay Battalion (@OHLBattalion) November 3, 2019
Among the highlights was a special homecoming for one family in Saginaw and special camouflage jerseys in North Bay.
Players Give Back
Giving back to the community is something all CHL teams take to heart but several players around the league have gone the extra mile. The Kitchener Rangers and goaltender Jacob Ingham recently announced the ‘Jakes Saves Campaign’ in support of Hockey Gives Blood contributing financially to the Canadian Blood Services program with every save made by the Los Angeles Kings prospect.
🆕 We're pleased to announce that we will be supporting Jacob Ingham's (@JacobIngham_) "Jake Saves Campaign" benefiting @hkygivesblood by matching his family's $5 donation for every save he makes this season.
ℹ️ https://t.co/70dIXfYW0B#RTown #OHL #Kitchener pic.twitter.com/Rm12soWWaH
— Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) October 31, 2019
Proud to be a 1st time blood donor and a @hkygivesblood Player Ambassador. Each year @CanadasLifeline needs 100,000 new donors. Together we can change that!#JoinTheLifeline @blazerhockey @TheWHL @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/DEu7N1kVgW
— Zane Franklin (@zaner19) November 5, 2019
Great night at @LifelinePEI with @IslandersHKY . Many first time donors including myself! We support @hkygivesblood and their mission to promote the need for blood donation around Canada #HockeyGivesBlood #CanadasLifeline pic.twitter.com/2vpD7L1H2H
— Matt Welsh (@mwelsh73) November 5, 2019
Elsewhere, Kamloops Blazers captain Zane Franklin and Charlottetown Islanders goaltender Matthew Welsh showed their support for Hockey Gives Blood with donations of their own as part of the Team Ambassadors program.
Helping Hawerchuk
The Barrie Colts have launched a campaign in support of head coach Dale Hawerchuk who was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer and has been on a leave of absence from behind the bench since September.
This November we will be raising money to support Dale Hawerchuk and stomach cancer research. Our goal is to raise $5000! Please share this and donate to help us reach our goal!
Click the link below to donate:https://t.co/ouJxXFsMSb pic.twitter.com/K1j1YXnLsm— Barrie Colts (@OHLBarrieColts) November 1, 2019
"For some reason, the Lord put me in this kind of fight and I’m ready to fight it. I want to live to tell the story."
Former Winnipeg Jets star and Hockey Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk is getting chemotherapy treatment as he battles stomach cancer.https://t.co/LuUJTYjPya
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 26, 2019
All donations in support of the Hall of Famer will be going towards stomach cancer research.
O’Rourke named Greyhounds Captain
The Soo Greyhounds have announced their 2019-20 leadership team with NHL Draft prospect Ryan O’Rourke awarded the captaincy.
BREAKING: 'Greyhounds name leadership group; O’Rourke as Captain'https://t.co/yjCeftmLvr pic.twitter.com/NNAidPJITk
— Soo Greyhounds (@OHLHoundPower) November 5, 2019
The second year defenceman becomes the CHL’s 40th newly appointed captain of the current campaign taking over the ‘C’ given the departure of Barrett Hayton to the Arizona Coyotes.
Gilmour Returns to Maple Leafs
After 11 years with the Kingston Frontenacs, Doug Gilmour has announced his departure to return to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Statement on @DougGilmour93's departure to pursue an opportunity with @MapleLeafs. Thank you, Mr. Gilmour!#WeRiseTogether
READ: https://t.co/QdFTOJ6aLr pic.twitter.com/QAXGE2o8Dv
— Kingston Frontenacs (@KingstonFronts) November 1, 2019
Gilmour, who spent more than a decade with his hometown team as Head Coach, General Manager, and President of Hockey Operations, will join the Leafs as a Community Representative.
Revealing the Rings
The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies recently revealed the beautiful rings designed to commemorate their 2018-19 President Cup and Memorial Cup championship season.
Une saison / Une histoire / Deux coupes
Et une bague pour l’éternité
/
One season / One history / Two cups
And a ring for eternityDétails ici : https://t.co/odiHKDRVWV#HuskiesRNation pic.twitter.com/t3fE4bfDT5
— Huskies de Rouyn-Noranda (@HuskiesRn) November 3, 2019
Unbelievable feeling receiving our WHL championship rings! A season we will never forget! @PARaidersHockey pic.twitter.com/ANOsTWLKvN
— Zack Hayes (@hayesie24) November 2, 2019
So we did a little something yesterday…💍
We presented all returning players, hockey ops and business staff with their 2019 Championship Rings! 🏆 #IamtheSTORM pic.twitter.com/aLwkT8WFgA
— Guelph Storm (@Storm_City) October 2, 2019
The Huskies new hardware follows championship rings presented by the Prince Albert Raiders and the Guelph Storm to honour Ed Chynoweth Cup and Robertson Cup titles in the WHL and OHL.
