Chris Kontos…Olympian
The Penetanguishene Sports Hall of Fame had one of its inductees contribute to the Olympic Men’s Hockey team back in 1994. Lillehammer, Norway was the site of the Olympics with the team being composed of amateurs.
In 1994, Chris who was a seasoned pro had played in 230 NHL games, 20 more in the playoffs and was coming off his best season as a pro with the Tampa Bay Lightning. But a contract dispute followed, which allowed Chris to pursue the Olympics.
That opportunity was presented to Kontos from a fellow Penetanguishene resident, Paul Henry, who was effectively Team Canada’s GM.
Canada defeated the Czechs in overtime to reach the gold medal game against Sweden. The Canadians had a late 3-2 lead but with less than two minutes left to play in regulation time. Magnus Svenson scored a power-play goal forcing the game into overtime. Overtime solved nothing which extended the game into a shootout, the first and only time that the gold medal had been decided this way.
After five shots, both teams had two goals. It didn’t end until the seventh shot when Peter Forsberg scored the famed stamp goal. Both Chris and Paul Henry voice brims with pride at the experience, even though the disappointment still ligers from not winning gold…I guess silver will have to do.
One evening, a thief tried to steal an Olympic silver medal from the Penetanguishene Sports Hall of Fame, only to drop the precious memento on the way out. The crook broke into the display case containing the ceremonial uniform from the 1994 winter games. “They took off with the silver medal, then went around back and stole a camera, but accidentally dropped the medal.” They did get away with the ribbon…Chris still has the medal. Waxy Gregoire…Penetang Sports Hall of Fame
Harvesters Roll Into Playoffs With Momentum
The Elmvale Harvesters wrapped up regular season play on January 31st at home against the Shelburne Muskies, closing out the schedule in dominant fashion with a 9–1 victory. The Will Marshall Insurance Brokers 3 Stars of the Game were 1st Star Jordan Fuller, 2nd Star Adam Redgate, and 3rd Star Jacob Kelly.
The win secured the Harvesters third place in the North Division, setting up a first-round playoff matchup against the sixth-place Georgian Bay Applekings in a best-of-seven series.
Game 1 took place on February 6th, with the Harvesters braving snowy roads to Thornbury. Elmvale wasted no time asserting control, dominating the offensive zone and skating away with a convincing 6–3 win. The Will Marshall Insurance Brokers 3 Stars of the Game were 1st Star Jordan Fuller, 2nd Star Noah Featherstonhaugh-Gowe, and 3rd Star Jeremy Robertson.
The series shifted back to Elmvale on February 7th for Game 2, where fans were treated to a fast-paced and hard-fought contest. The Harvesters jumped out to an early lead, but the Applekings responded quickly and took control of the game. Elmvale showed resilience, turning up the pressure and battling back to tie the game in the third period. With just one minute remaining, Jordan Fuller buried the go-ahead goal, followed by an empty-net goal to seal a 7–5 Harvesters victory. The Will Marshall Insurance Brokers 3 Stars of the Game were 1st Star Ryan Young, 2nd Star Jordan Fuller, and 3rd Star Riley Pitt.
With the two wins, the Harvesters now lead the series 2–0.
Game 3 is set for Valentine’s Day, February 14th, in Elmvale with a 4:30 p.m. puck drop. Game 4 will take place in Thornbury on February 15th at 3:00 p.m. If necessary, Game 5 will return to Elmvale on Family Day, Monday February 16th, with a 12:45 p.m. start.
Season ticket holders and sponsors are reminded that they receive a complimentary ticket to Game 3. Following Game 3, they will receive an early-access ticket code via email. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to guarantee entry as the playoff excitement continues in Elmvale.
Adrianna McGinnis
Elmvale U13 B Enjoys a Strong Season of Development, Competition, and Cohesion- Written by Adam Thompson
The Elmvale U13 B team has enjoyed a positive and rewarding season highlighted by steady development, strong teamwork, and valuable competition both in league play and tournament action. From the opening weeks of the season through recent games, the team has continued to grow in confidence and cohesion while proudly representing Elmvale Minor Hockey.
The team is grateful for the generous sponsorship of the Elmvale Lions Club, whose continued support plays an important role in making the season possible. Their commitment to youth sports and the Elmvale community allows players to focus on skill development, teamwork, and enjoying the game in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Throughout regular season play, the team demonstrated consistent effort and a willingness to learn. Practices emphasized strong fundamentals, teamwork, and game awareness, which translated into competitive performances on the ice. As the season progressed, the team continued to build momentum, showing improvement in all areas of play while competing hard every game.
Tournament play was a key part of the team’s development this season. Early in the year, the team travelled to compete in the Welland Little NHL Tournament, where they advanced to the semi-finals and were narrowly eliminated in a shootout — a hard-fought finish that highlighted the team’s determination and resilience. In December, the Elmvale squad took part in the Bob Merkley Memorial Silver Stick Tournament in Midland, battling through to double overtime before being eliminated in the semi-finals, once again demonstrating their ability to compete at a high level against strong opposition. Most recently, the team competed in the Highland Storm Tournament in Haliburton, making a strong run to the championship game achieving a silver medal. Reaching the championship round was a significant accomplishment and a reflection of the team’s growth, teamwork, and competitive spirit throughout the season.
These tournament experiences offered more than just competition — they created lasting memories, strengthened team bonds, and helped the players grow both on and off the ice.
This incredible team includes the following roster: Sawyer Trace #2, Ray Duckett #3, Gibson Godin #5, Charlie Coughlin #7, Boston Laycock #8, L.J. Noble #9, Nash Rockey #10, Kohen Archer #11, Kohen Weiss #12, Lincoln Carlson-Thompson #14, Owen Maxwell #15, Max Champion #17, Easton Culbert #18, and Eli Daniels #31.
To the coaching staff for countless hours and dedication. Staff include Head Coach Brandon Godin, Assistant Coach Keenan Crowder, Trainer Logan Noble, Assistant Trainer Dave Rockey and Team Manager Sarah Daniels. A special thank you as well to Bradford Elliott and Candace Godin for their help and support throughout the season.
We hope to see you in the stands cheering us on, at our home games as we enter the playoffs, and at the Elmvale Minor Hockey hosted Maple Syrup Country Tournament March 13-15.