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Kenora Thistles

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Raine Returns To Giants For 2021/2022

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Dryden’s Kevin Raine is headed back to Northern Ireland for the 2021/2022 Elite Ice Hockey League season.

Raine has officially re-signed with the Belfast Giants for his fourth year season in the U.K.’s top league.

Over those four seasons, he has 33 points (six goals, 27 assists) and 92 penalty minutes in 136 regular season games. Raine is a fan-favourite of the Teal Army, and was an alternate captain during the 2019/2020 campaign.

The defender is headed into his seventh season of professional hockey. He spent two seasons in the American Hockey League, one split between the AHL and East Coast Hockey League, and four with the Giants in the EIHL.

The 28-year-old has been a part of five championships throughout his career starting with an OHL title during the 2011/2012 season with London Knights. That was followed by an AHL title (Calder Cup) in 2014/2015 with the Manchester Monarchs, two Challenge Cup victories (2017/2018, 2018/2019) and one EIHL title (2018/2019).

Raine played two seasons with the U18 ‘AAA’ Thistles (2008/2009, 2009/2010).

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U18 ‘AAA’ Thistles Camp Dates Set

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The 2021/2022 hockey season is just around the corner.

Barring any potential COVID-19 restrictions, the U18 ‘AAA’ Kenora Thistles have set the dates for both their ID camp and their main selection camp.

Scott Parsons is headed into his second season as the head coach of the team and says the ID camp is a great chance to make an impression on the coaching staff.

“Last year we didn’t get to travel around and take a look at some of the players that are moving up from the U15 level,” says Parsons, “So it’s really good for players to come out, shake some rust off and get noticed. There’s not much in terms of expectations (at ID camp).”

He tells us the main selection camp for the club will come two weeks later.

“The majority of our team will be picked that weekend. That weekend we’re going to be getting down to the real nitty-gritty when we have to make our selections for the 20 spots that are available.”

The ID camp, which costs $50, will take place from July 31st to August 1st.

The main camp runs from August 13th through to August 15th and will cost $100 per player.

Both the ID camp and the main camp will take place at the Keewatin Memorial Arena, and are for players born in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

If you’d like to register, you can email Coach Parsons at scott.parsons@hotmail.com.

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Superior League Hopes To Resume In February

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The local Junior ‘A’ hockey league remains optimistic that they’ll be back on the ice next month.

The province will enter a stay at home order on Thursday morning. In addition to the lockdown announcement on January 7th, Northern Ontario will remain in Code Grey until at least January 23rd. That means hockey facilities are closed and all Hockey Northwestern Ontario programming is paused.

Commissioner Darrin Nicholas says right now the plan is to have the players stay put.

“My vision would be that we keep the players in the community and find a way on a local level to keep them engaged in the season. That way we don’t have to go through [the quarantine process] again,” says Nicholas. “For instance if the restrictions are lifted on February 11th, we can get the players on the ice for a few days and we could be playing games as quickly as February 14th or 15th.”

The Commissioner admits the idea of bubbling up all of the teams in a central location has been floated if and when they get the green light to resume the season.

“If we only have a short window to play games, maybe we can put together two or three showcase events back to back with three games in a day,” adds Nicholas. “Any and all options remain on the table. If there’s a way to give some meaningful hockey to the league and to our players we’ll be committed for that.”

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U-18 Kenora Thistles Appoint New Head Coach

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The new head coach of the U-18 ‘AAA’ Kenora Thistles has been announced.

Scott Parsons is set to be behind the bench for the upcoming season, taking over from interim head coach Bill Brunton.

He is no stranger to the Kenora bench, having served as assistant coach and goalie coach during the 2019/2020 campaign.

Parsons says that he’s excited about being the new coach, and that it’s always been a goal of his. He tells us that he’s going to expect his players to come prepared every time they step on the ice, and that as a coach he’s going to be completely honest at the rink.

The new head coach will be joined behind the bench by Jaryd Wiebe, a former National Junior ‘A’ champion with the MJHL’s Portage Terriers. Parsons will also get help from St. Thomas Aquinas Saints boys’ hockey head coach Carson Dubchak, and former Thistles head coach and current manager Doug Novak.

All Thistles teams start tryouts next week, and all players need to be registered in minor hockey to participate.

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Thistles Drop Two Games On Home Ice

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Dryden players were well represented on the score sheet for the Kenora Under 18 ‘AAA’ Thistles on the weekend, unfortunately the wins weren’t there.

The Thistles fell to the Norman Northstars 7-4 and 8-3 on home ice.

Evan Armit scored a pair of goals and added an assist.

Peter Zilkalns notched a couple of markers, while Ben Hackl had a goal and an assist.

Nathan Ho added a helper for the Thistles.

Kenora has now lost 16 straight games.

Two Losses For Kenora Thistles

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The struggles continue for the Kenora Under-18 ‘AAA’ Thistles.

Kenora lost both of their games on the weekend; 16-3 to the Winnipeg Wild and 8-2 to the Winnipeg Thrashers.

Dryden’s Evan Armit had three goals in the series, while Ben Hackl recorded three assists.

The Thistles have lost 14 straight games.

Thistles Part Ways With Coach; Dryden’s Brunton Steps In

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Late season changes for the Kenora Under 18 ‘AAA’ Thistles.

The team has parted ways with first year head coach Ryan Reynard.

Dryden’s Bill Brunton will take over duties for the remainder of the season.

Brunton has been a long time assistant with the regional team.

Under Reynard, the Thistles have struggled this season posting a 2-31-0-1 record.

They have been outscored 274-53.

Scott Parsons will remain on as an assistant coach, while Kyle Chagnon will take the assistant coaching slot that used to belong to Brunton.

Three Losses For Kenora Thistles

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Three losses for the Kenora ‘AAA’ Under 18 Hockey team on the weekend.

The Thistles fell 4-0 to the Parkland Rangers on Friday, before losing 9-1 to the Interlake Lightning on Saturday and 6-3 on Sunday.

Dryden was well represented in the Sunday game against the Lightning.

Ben Hackl had 2-goals and 1-assist, while Evan Armit recorded a goal and 2-assists.

Jeff McMenemy also had a helper.

 

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