Demons, Braves wrestle for East Division top spot

Last week the hockey community was saddened to learn of the death of Morrisburg Junior B Lions franchise owner Ron Casselman at his home in Morrisburg on Tuesday, November 13. Mr. Casselman purchased the Morrisburg Junior B Lions in 1980, and so began 32 years of dedication to the game he so loved and the young men he mentored.

As in keeping with what Ron would have wanted, the Lions’ scheduled game against the Char-Lan Rebels on Friday night went on as planned. His granddaughters Kasey, Kari and Katie dropped the puck to officially open the game, and his grandson Cody coached the game with former Lions coach Thom Raccine on the bench for support.

At the end of the game, which the Lions won 8-4, in honour of a man they greatly respected, the players skated to the overhead box where Ron would be found at most every Junior B Lions game, for one final salute. In fact, each time they scored that night, they skated to Ron’s box.

The following is a speech written and presented Friday night by Thom Raccine who has been a member of the Lions coaching staff and worked closely with Ron for the past several years.

“Before our game tonight, the Lions are honouring the memory of our owner and biggest fan, Ron Casselman, who passed away on Tuesday.

The Lions and Rebels will dedicate tonight’s rivalry to Ron and his passion for Junior B hockey, by wearing helmet stickers in his honour.

When hockey fans think of the Morrisburg Lions, the image of the stout man with the deep voice is all you really need to know.

Before every game, Ron asked in his jovial deep voice, “what do ya think tonight big fellar?” That voice and that image will never be forgotten.

Ron Casselman’s love of junior hockey began a long time ago, first as a fan, then 32 years ago, when he became the owner of the Junior B Lions. To the many fans of Lions hockey, Ron exemplified what small town hockey teams are about. He revelled in the wins and wore each loss on his sturdy face.

Thirty-two years is an eternity in the hockey business. To have stayed through the tough times is a credit to his love of the game, the people in the league and most of all his players. He really did love the kids, as his own, even if they didn’t know it. Ron Casselman saw hundreds of players. He was proud to say that the fact that they were trying out for his team, meant the world to him.

Ron didn’t always understand the players today, but it never knocked him down. He tried to adjust to our funny ways and although he chalked it up to a different generation, Ron stayed very close to the pulse of what  made his teams tick.

Under Ron, the Lions won four St. Lawrence Division titles and two Rideau Division titles. He mentored his son Kevin, from coaching to general manager.

Tonight, in honour of his grandfather, Cody Casselman will be behind the bench, keeping in the family tradition.

Four weeks ago, I sat with Ron in what we affectionately call the owners box. The weight of the world was on his shoulders and there was no doubt something was bothering him. I sensed a distance, a man alone with his memories of a lifetime devoted to his team. Oh he still watched every play and disputed a few calls, but as much as he tried, he simply wasn’t himself.

This morning, Ron Casselman took one last ride by the place he felt most at home…the arena that gave him so much pride.

Tonight, Ron’s owners box sits empty, in honour of a great hockey man.

Tonight, as our Lions get set for another 8:30 start against our rivals from Char-Lan, take a second to glance over to the southeast corner every now and then, because Ron Casselman will be there, big as life, as he has been for the past 32 years.”

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The season is underway at the Morrisburg Golf Club. The course opened in late in April and things were looking pretty good until the area was hit with some heavy rain. But the fairways have dried up again, and both the ladies and men got their weekly evenings played.

Although both evenings kicked off the previous week, conditions weren’t great for either, and the women did not get to play at all due to the rain.

The first ladies night did see 48 ladies out to enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and they were all back last week, May 7, when they officially hit the course for the first time on a beautiful sunny afternoon and evening.

The sponsor for the ladies first night was Aikman Trailer Sales, and Upper Canada Playhouse sponsored the May 7 evening.

Judy Laurin, Laurie Dillabough and Katherine Alguire played “a minute to win it’ game to win tickets to the Playhouse. All were successful on their first attempt.

The closest to the pin shot on the par three 11th hole was made by Paula Locke. Joanne Baker produced the closest shot on the par three 14th, and Lorna Young was closest on the 17th.

Coming up this week, the ladies night sponsor is Scotiabank.

The men got their season rolling last Thursday night, May 8. The evening sponsor was Eldon Horner, and the low shooter was Lance LePage with a 35. Andy Patenaude won B flight with a 40, and Gary O’Neil had the low score in C flight with a 42.

Net winners were Lindsay Weegar in A flight, Wally Baker in B flight and Barry Henderson in C flight.

Closest to the pin winners were Floyd McRea on the 14th and Kent Dawley on the 17th.

Coming up this week, men’s night is sponsored by Home Hardware.

Also coming up on Saturday, May 24 is the Home Hardware Mixed two ball. Sign up sheets are available at the club and non-club members are welcome. The event will get rolling at 10 a.m. with a shot gun start.

This year’s Morrisburg Men’s Open has returned to its June 21st date, and registrations can be made at the club. Tee offs for the men’s open will start at 10 a.m. The day will include golf, prizes and a dinner. For more info please contact club captain Andy Patenaude or call the clubhouse.

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 The rain held off and Ottawa Hylands golfer Paul Nooyen held on to win his third consecutive Cedar Glen Men’s Open Championship here Monday.

Nooyen posted a two-over-par 72 for a one stroke win over the Glen’s Kurtis Barkley with a 73.

Nooyen won the Open the last two years, both with scores of 74.

Sunday’s round played from the white tees saw him double bogey the par three sixth hole and the par three 12th.

He turned the corner with a one over par 35, and birdied two of the last three holes on the back nine  (16 & 18) for a one over 37 and his 72 total.

The next low scores in the 29-player A flight category were 76s carded by Craig Nooyen (public player), Brad Mayhew of Nationview, Lance LePage of Upper Canada and Peter Gilder of the Brockville Country Club.

Rick Barkley of Cedar Glen posted a 78, while Dave Saunders of the Brockville C.C., Lonnie McIntosh of Cedar Glen and Mike Guy tied with 79s.

Guy’s 79 gave him the A flight low net with a 68.

Paul McCasliln of Iroquois finished alone with an 80, while Chawn Lapier (Iroq),  Steve McIntosh  and Lyle Schell of Cedar Glen and Lyndsay Weegar of Morrisburg all carded 81s.

Also defending his title was B flight champion Barry Casselman.

A very solid 78, allowed Casselman (Cedar Glen) to walk away from the rest of the B field, his closest competition coming from  Cedar Glen golfers Rick Morrow, Billy DeJong and Kenny Mills all shooting 83s.

Mills’ 83 gave him a 66 net for the B flight net win.

Next up in B flight, was Cedar Glen’s Steve Plummer with an 84. Bill Hogoboam of Sandy Row and Chris Phifer of Cedar Glen tied with 85s.

Thirty area golfers were in the hunt for B flight prizes.

It was another successful defense of his title in C flight, as Mike Berrube of Nationview posted a 100 to collect his second  consecutive championship. 

Also shooting a 100, which gave him the C flight low net with a 75, was Cedar Glen’s Dennis Casselman.

Due to the major thunder/rain storm that arrived just shortly after the final golfers checked in at the clubhouse, a playoff was not possible to break the 100 tie.

The next low shooter in C flight was Brian Erwin of Cedar Glen with a 103. 

Sixty-four golfers competed in the 39th annual Cedar Glen Open. All categories this year played from the white tees that measure just under 6,000 yards.

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