Timeless trio take top honours- By Leslie Gordon
Midland – July 25, 2025 – It was hot, hot, hot at the recent National Bank Open Triples lawn bowling tournament. Not only was the temperature sky high, one team made up of three legends at the club outshone all the competition. This team which shares 247 years of life experience walked away with three wins and the trophy after a stellar display of talent.
All-Star Lineup Announced for Boots and Hearts Barn Burner Charity Hockey Game – By Natasha Halikas
(BARRIE, ON) July 24, 2025 – The Boots and Hearts Barn Burner Charity Hockey Game is back for another year, unveiling its 2025 roster of elite talent from both the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). This year’s event promises an unforgettable night of high-energy hockey and community spirit at Sadlon Arena on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
This year’s star-studded roster features Toronto Maple Leafs alternate captain John Tavares, hometown heroes Jessie Eldridge and Isaak Phillips, LA Kings centre Quinton Byfield, rising NHL sensation Michael Misa, and many more elite talents ready to light up the ice.
“The Barn Burner is more than just a charity event,” shared Alex Nuttall. “It’s one of the most exciting nights of hockey you’ll see all year. With NHL and PWHL players sharing the ice, fans can expect fast-paced action, incredible skill, and a whole lot of giving back to incredible charities. It’s a celebration of the game and the community that rallies behind it.”
Tickets are selling fast for this electrifying event where hockey’s best unite for a great cause. Join the action live at Sadlon Arena, 555 Bayview Drive, Barrie, and be part of a night that blends sport, entertainment, and philanthropy.
To purchase tickets or learn more about the supported charities, visit http://bootsandheartsbarnburner.ca or stop by 4Hundred Source For Sports at 70 Barrie View Drive in Barrie for tickets and official Barn Burner merchandise.
Background:
The annual Barn Burner has become a marquee event in Barrie, raising over $408,000 in 2024 for vital organizations including RVH Healthcare Centre, PIE Education, the Rotary Club, and more. This year’s game aims to raise the bar even higher.
Blazers U8 and U10 Play Well at Provincials in Peterborough – Submitted by Jamie Robillard
PENETANG – July 15, 2025 – The Penetanguishene Blazers U8 and U10 teams participated in the Ontario Ball Hockey Association’s Provincials July 11-13 weekend in Brampton. The U8 Blazers captured the ‘A’ Championship while the U10 Blazers #1 team was eliminated in the ‘AA’ semi-finals. The U10 Blazers #2 came home with a silver medal in the ‘BB’ category.
U8-Tyke
The Blazers opened the tournament with a one-sided win over the Guelph Royal City Hawks. Penetang scored three first period goals and cruised to a 9-1 victory. Draper Temolder led the Blazers with four markers followed by Alec Robitaille and Isaac Lomas-Burton with two goals each and a single tally from Blake Duivenvoorden. In the second game the Blazers came up against a hot goalie when they met the Ottawa West Eagles and dropped a close 4-2 decision. Temolder and Wyatt Ferris scored for Penetang. In their third outing the Blazers met the eventual AA Champion Belleville Predatorz and came out on the short end of a 5-1 score. Temolder scored the lone Blazers goal.
On Sunday morning in the ‘A’ semi-finals the Blazers played a complete game and downed the Kingston Attack 8-1. Once again Temolder led the way with three goals while Duivenvoorden and Lomas-Burton both scored twice, and Rowan Stark chipped in with a single marker. Advancing to the finals the Blazers again met the Ottawa West Eagles, but this time they managed to get three goals past the solid netminder for the Eagles and held on for a 3-1 win. Temolder netted a pair of tallies while Ronan Flahive connected for one goal.
The ‘A’ gold medalist U8 Blazers roster also consisted of goaltender Wyatt Schepers, Kylie Archer, Jake Stone, Juhan Van Rooyen, Charlie Vaillancourt, Greyson Rosie, Brady McKnight and Nicholas Caluori. The coaches were Ryan Flahive, Pat McCarron, Kevin Temolder and Neil Rosie.
U10 Novice #1
The U10 Blazers #1 team went undefeated in round robin play to advance to the ‘AA’ semi-finals where they met a strong Belleville Predatorz #1 team and dropped a 4-1 decision to Belleville. Dean Bachly played a strong game in the Blazers goal stopping numerous Belleville scoring opportunities, but in the end the Blazers could not manufacture enough offence with Beau Maurice scoring the only goal. Belleville went onto to capture the ‘AA’ championship with a 5-1 win over the Peterborough Force #1 team in the final.
The Blazers escaped the opening game with a narrow 2-1 win over the Belleville Predatorz #2 team. The Penetang goal scorers were Fionn Flahive and Anthony Caluori. In game two the Blazers overran the Collingwood Shipbuilders by an 8-1 score. The Blazers received scoring from eight different players with one goal each, they were< Caluori, Reid Archer, Kaden Scott, Parker Maurice, Flahive, Callum Lees, Monty Gouett and Beau Maurice. Parker Maurice added three assists in the win. In their final round robin game, the Blazers stopped the Guelph Royal City Hawks by a 3-1 score with Josh Boucher scoring twice and Scott adding a single.
The remainder of the U10 Blazers #1 roster was made up of Bo Vermilya, Daniel Cady, Bennett Duivenvoorden, Tatum O’Neil and Lukas Harvey. The coach staff was Chris Boucher, Austin O’Neil and Adam Boucher.
U10-Novice #2
The U10-Novice #2 Blazers was made up of mostly nine-year old players and looked at the Provincials as a developmental year. The tournament began dropping a narrow 4-3 decision to the Cambridge Canucks. Scoring for Penetang were Zane Vitelli, Louka Bracnik and Dominic Pepin. In game two the Blazers met the ‘AA’ semi-finalist North York Lynx and were shut out by a score of 11-0. Kendal Brech was between the pipes for the Blazers and played a stellar game stopping over 40 shots. Penetang followed up in their third game with an 8-1 loss to the Peterborough Force #2 team. Max Stone scored the lone Penetang goal.
On Sunday morning in the ‘BB’ semi-finals the Blazers defeated the Ottawa West Eagles 2-1 as Bracnik scored the only goal for either side in the shoot out on the 17th shot. Maverick Vandenburg scored in regulation time for the Blazers. The Blazers advanced to the ‘BB’ final where they simply ran out of steam and lost to the Guelph Royal City Hawks 5-0.
For the ‘BB” silver medalist Blazers other members on the roster were Oliver Spence, Zaidyn Gignac, Presto Neuen, Denver Lavechia, Daxton Hingley, Scott Haines, Alex Bertram, Nicholas Recchia and Van McFadden. Coaches Trevor Ritchie, Chris Bracnik, Kristi Haines, Steve Brown and Ryan McFadden.
Jim McLaren Captures Gold in Youth U18 Javelin Throw at Ontario Legion Championships – By Jimmy McLaren
Toronto – July 18, 2025 -The competition was fierce at the Youth U18 Male Javelin Throw (700g) Final during the Ontario Legion Track and Field Championships on July 11-12, 2025, but it was Jim McLaren of District E who emerged victorious, delivering a commanding throw of 60.98 metres to take the gold medal.
McLaren’s performance stood well above the field, with Duncan Smith and Diotte Colin, both representing District A, taking silver and bronze respectively with throws of 54.87 metres and 50.19 metres.
The event, which brought together top young athletes from across the province, highlighted the depth of javelin talent in Ontario. Full final standings are as follows:
Final Results – Youth U18 Male Javelin Throw (700g):
Jim McLaren – 60.98m (District E)
Duncan Smith – 54.87m (District A)
Diotte Colin – 50.19m (District A)
Nolan Morris Morrow – 49.15m (District G)
Colby Kekki – 48.75m (District F)
Jaxon Lamb – 47.84m (District C)
Parker Pieffers – 45.11m (District C)
Lucas Glenn – 43.23m (District G)
Anderson Parent – 39.68m (District H)
Peyton Daigle – 39.36m (District K)
Joe Duquette – 39.35m (District K)
Tyler Burns – 37.47m (District I)
Events include a full track and field program (sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws, combined events) across U14, U16, and U18 categories
The Ontario Legion Championships continue to serve as a valuable platform for youth athletes to compete at a high level and showcase their dedication to the sport. Congratulations to all participants on their outstanding performances.