News from the Den ...  2010-11 Season
Issue 2011-12 - 01
865 SUBSCRIBERS TO DATE SINCE SEPTEMBER!

                                      March 28, 2011 

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THE ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
CLICK TO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE!
ojha logo

The Cobourg Cougars are committed to the continuous promotion of our sponsors not just during the hockey season but throughout the entire year.  The Cougars News wire will continue throughout the summer months and report on summer events, try-out camps and more.   

 

Thank you to everyone for your continued support of the Cobourg Cougars ... 

_______________________________       

Please click on their links (where available) below to contact our sponsors or visit their websites to show your support!


Ashbrook Golf Course 

Axios Fitness 

Baker Cleaners 

Baxter Creek Golf Club 

Best Western  

Blake Construction 

Boston Pizza 

Body Boomers Fitness 

Brocanier's Clothing 

Breakers Motel on the Lake

Cal-Kor Collision  

Canadian Tire 

Casselsbrock
Central Restoration

Clarke Sommerville Sports

Cobourg Fire Department

Cobourg Hockey Auxiliary

Cobourg Nissan
Cobourg Lions Community Centre
Comfort Inn
Complete Car Care Courtice
Creative Edge Graphics
Dalewood Golf and Country Club
Dr. Narine
Ferreri Clothing
Fisher's Foodland
Friendly Fires
Home Building Centre
Haynes Printing

HOPE4ALL.ca

Insurance Protection Group

iTravel2000 

Kellys Home Like Inn
Kennedy Automotive Napa
Krown Rust Control  
 

Lauria Hyundai
Lou Rinaldi-MPP
Mackie Harley Davidson
Mackie Moving Systems

McKeen Chrysler
Mill Valley Trophies
Mr. Sub
Northumberland Montessori School
NORTHUMBERLAND NEWS
Northumberland Mall
Northumberland Today
Northumberland Accounting

PET VALUE - NORTHUMBERLAND MALL

Phoenix Transportation
Polymer Extrusions  
 

READY PRINT
REMAX - STACY VERMEIRE
Scott Murphy Asphalt Service
Sines Flooring Cobourg
Serenity Day Spa
Showtime TV and Stereo
Snap Northumberland
SPOOLON Manufacturing
Star 93.3
Swiss Chalet
TD BANK - COBOURG

TOWN OF COBOURG 

The Breeze 107.9
Vandermeer Toyota
Wine World Importers  

Town of Cobourg Logo

Thank you to the
Town of Cobourg
for your continued
Support!

* COUGARS ALUMNI CELEBRITY GOLF TOURNAMENT *

We are currently planning an incredible Celebrity/ Alumni Golf Tournament.
CALL 289-252-0827
or email kellyleighmartin@gmail.com
to reserve.
All current Cougars Players will be at no cost with their 3 other players in their foursome.
 
DATE TO BE CONFIRMED AND ANNOUNCED NEXT WEEK! 

  

Boston Pizza ... Here to make you Happy  

Cougars Rookie Camp Meal Deals will be available during our camp for all Cougars Fans, Players, Family Members and Friends.  Stay tuned for Deals from our Restaurant Sponsors ...  

 

Mr. Sub

 

Swiss Chalet 

The Cougars ... Dare to Dream

Dare to Dream  

DAVE POWERS
THE COUGARS OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER 
 

Find us on Facebook

Join Dave on Facebook or visit his website for amazing photos of the Cobourg Cougars!

 

See all of Daves Cougar Photos this season here  

http://dpowersphoto.smugmug.com/Cobourg-Cougars


www.dpowers.ca 

Dave Powers

The Cougars wish to thank Dave Powers for being our official photographer.  Dave is a photographer based out of Cobourg, Ontario.   He specializes in location lifestyle portraiture, family portraiture, model imagery, weddings, sports, and engagement portraits, just some of what he does.

 

Dave invites Cougar Fans to visit his website at

www.dpowers.ca
to explore the hundreds of great photos he has captured during Cougar games and events.   You can also view Daves work on our Cougars Website at

www.cobourgcougars.com.  If you have not seen Daves work you are missing out!  Help support those who support the Cougars ...




SKIN DAVEY
The Cougars Official Rock Band!  
 

Find us on Facebook 


Join them on facebook
SkinDavey

Skin Davey

The Cobourg Cougars wish to thank the Cobourg Minor Hockey Association for all of their help and support.  The Hustler of the Game and little ones playing during intermission is was very much enjoyed by all.  The Cougars love to hold our CCHL nights and we look forward to working with our Minor Hockey Clubs next season!   

 

CCHL  

http://cobourgminorhockey.com/



Find us on Facebook 

JOIN THE COUGARS FACEBOOK GROUP!   

We will be having lots of contests on our facebook group.  Join today to qualify to Win Cougars Merchandise, Free Tickets and other prizes! 


Northumberland Mall
 Mall Photo
Find us on Facebook

Visit www.northumberlandmall.ca    

Wine World Importers

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO WINDE WORLD IMPORTERS FOR SPONSORING OUR LUCKY STAR PROGRAM THIS PAST SEASON!

WWW.WINEWORLDIMPORTERS.COM
DID YOU WIN?
***************

Our Weekly Newsletter Contest will resume in May

EVERYONE WHO READS THIS NEWSLETTER QUALIFIES TO WIN SO KEEP READING EVERY WEEK!


(Please EMAIL Rosie Bateman to claim your prize) !!!  Thanks for reading the Cougars News wire   

You must read this newsletter to find out if you are one of our 'Lucky Weekly Winners'.  Winners are not notified by phone.  No purchase is necessary.
We have some great prizes from our sponsors. Prizes include, pizza, subs, game tickets, Cougars Merchandise and other cool items.   


You will not be personally notified if you are the winner.  You MUST read this newsletter to claim your prize.
Contact Us

Cobourg Cougars Junior A Hockey Inc.

 

Cobourg Memorial Arena

Cobourg, Ontario 

 

Todd Diminie/ Director of Hockey Operations 

Cell: 905-375-4882 

 

For Sponsorship Opportunities or questions relating to this newsletter, please contact  

Kelly Martin

Cell: 905-914-7454  

Or 289-252-0827  for either Kelly or Todd 

LINKS
Network54  Fan Forum ... FOR THE FANS BY THE FANS

Greetings!


Much is happening with the CObourg Cougars these days as we anxiously await our move to the new Cobourg Community centre.  You may have heard that there is a merger that has taken place.  The Streetsville Derby's have merged with the Cobourg Cougars as part of the leagues initiative to reduce the number of teams in the Ontario Junior Hockey League.  This is a positive move and we look forward to having Tom Baker as part of the new ownership group of the Cobourg Cougars.  More on this below ...

 

Also, if you didn't get a chance to see Jeff Gard's story in the Northumberland Today Newspaper regarding the awards banquet, the story is below with a link to the full story on his site.  There are also some great photos of the award presentations on Dave Powers Website.

 

We will keep you posted throughout the summer months regarding the Cougars summer events which include things like; the Cougars Alumni Golf Tournament, Cougars Car Wash at Canadian Tire, Cougars Yard Sale, Northumberland Animals R Us Festival, The Cougars at the Cobourg Waterfront Festival, Cougars Reading at the Library and more ...     



Sincerely, 

Cougars Junior A Hockey
Northumberland's Official Junior 'A' Hockey Team!

COBOURG COUGARS AND STREETSVILLE DERBYS MERGE

Cobourg Cougars and Streetsville Derbys Agree to Tie Hockey Knot



March 20, 2011, COBOURG, ONLongstanding junior hockey franchises and Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) rivals, the Cobourg Cougars and the Streetsville Derbys, proudly announced today they have agreed to combine operations as part of the OJHLs ongoing aggressive contraction plans.

 

This latest combination of clubs was formally approved by the OJHL yesterday and comes hot on the heels of the combination completed before the start of last season by the Cougars with the Bowmanville Eagles. The combined club will continue to play out of Cobourg and to be known as the Cougars. It will be based in and play out of Cobourgs new 2,000+ seat state-of-the-art rink, which is slated to be completed on or before April 15, 2011. Both organizations have been leaders, both on and off the ice, within the New OJHL, which continues to take significant steps aimed at becoming the top Jr A hockey league in Canada.

 

The combined team and organization will have some of the best capabilities in junior A hockey, and will be based in the great Town of Cobourg. The club will remain the only Jr A club in Northumberland County, said Marc Mercier, the Cougars' Governor. We have a clear opportunity to turn these strengths into meaningful results for all constituent aspects of the organization our players and staff, our fans, our sponsors, our volunteers and the great hockey loving communities we serve.

 

Tom Baker, longstanding owner of the Streetsville franchise said while we are obviously disappointed to be leaving the storied Derbys name behind, we are extremely excited by the prospects of being a part of a new partnership centered around the Cobourg Cougars and proud to be joining one of the best run organizations in the OJHL. We share the same core values as the Cougars ownership group including most notably the desire to develop amateur junior hockey players so they can move to higher levels within hockey and are proud to be part of a community that values the organization and an over-arching sense of community.

 

The OJHL Board of Governors recognized that in order to drive improvement of the league the first area of focus that needed to be addressed was the number of teams within the league, stated OJHL Commissioner Marty Savoy. The OJHL reiterated in January of this year it would continue to actively pursue contraction within the league as a means to improving the overall quality of the league. The OJHL contraction strategy has been based on a voluntary commitment from our Owners and we are appreciative of the undeniable sacrifices made by Cobourg and Streetsville in helping us to achieve our goals.
While the Cobourg-Streetsville merger is significant, it is part of a larger league-driven policy aimed at contraction It is widely-expected the OJHL will be announcing in the very near future a number of other contraction steps that will take effect prior to the coming season and will likely leave the OJHL with 26-28 franchises. The permanent reduction of an additional 4-5 teams means that the league will have contracted by nearly 30% over the past few years, which is remarkably down from the 37 clubs that existed a mere 3 years ago.

Community and Organizational Strength

The ownership groups in Cobourg and Streetsville are working diligently to ensure the combined team is fully operational immediately now that the merger has been announced. To further advance these objectives, a joint player recruitment approach has been implemented. As a result of these actions, the merged club will begin to capitalize on the benefits offered by the combination effective immediately.

 

While the combined club has strengthened capabilities in its recruitment, retention and development of skilled players interested in proceeding to higher levels of hockey, it remains very interested in its recruitment efforts for next season. The club is busy getting ready for the completion of the new Cougars Den slated for April and its Spring Camp slated for May 7-8, 2011.

 

The combination of these two franchises has greatly enhanced the clubs ability to recruit, retain and develop players. Between the merging clubs, several players from the two rosters over the past few years have either progressed to the Ontario Hockey League or have decided to play university hockey in Canada and the United States. In addition, a number of alumni from the two organizations are currently assisting their National Hockey League clubs as they try to compete for the Stanley Cup.

 

Announcements concerning the leadership team, which will represent a combination of the two clubs, will be made in the days ahead. In the interim, an executive transition committee has been formed, which will include Marc Mercier, Ralph Moulton, Scott Mackie, Randy Jakobi and Tom Baker. The merged club will benefit greatly from the expertise of the executive transition committee, last seasons experiences with the merger with Bowmanville and the diversity of experience and strong connections to the community it represents.

 

For more than 45 years, the Cobourg Cougars have been a strong, community-based and well-supported junior hockey organization. During this past season, the Cougars enjoyed once again being among the top quartile of clubs in attendance. To learn more about the merger and our other accomplishments, please visit www.cobourgcougars.com in the days and weeks ahead. Follow the Cougars on www.Twitter.com/cobourgcougars.

  

 

tryouts 

Spring Tryout Camp

Applications are arriving rapidly for the Cougars Spring Try-out Camp.  All registered players will receive a FREE Cougars Camp Jersey with their registration. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD/ VIEW OUR BROCHURE

Prospects Brochure 

May 7th and 8th.  Location: At the new Cobourg Community Centre.  Please complete the application form on our website.  

(NOW ONLINE CLICK HERE) We will be in contact with you regarding payment, registration and to provide you with a full schedule.   Thank you for your interest in the Cougars Junior 'A' Hockey Club.

 

 COBOURG COUGARS AWARD WINNERS

to view and order photos from our team photographer CLICK HERE  

Please help us show our support to our amazing photographer by ordering your photos from him :)    

 

THE VERN MacGREGOR MEMORIAL AWARD

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR   

WINNER - JUSTIN DANFORTH 

Vern MacGregor was the longest serving coach of the Cougars. During his 9 years as head coach, he was the driving force behind the Cougars capturing the OHA Jr. C championship in 1973/74. Vern went on to serve as President of the Club and in later years coached OMHA and CCHL house league teams.    

   

MY FAVOURITE COUGAR

WINNER - BLAKE SEXTON 

The recipient of this award was selected by fan balloting.

 

CENTURY 21 BOWL - MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

WINNER - EVAN JASPER 

This award was introduced by Past President Brian Keighley. Brian led the Club through the early 1980s and for many years was the Secretary/Statistician for the Central Ontario Junior C League.

 

RICHARDS PRINTING AWARD - TOP DEFENSEMAN

WINNER - KEVIN VAN DYK 

This honour is given to the top defenseman during the regular season and is selected by the coaching staff of the Cougars.

 

MILL VALLEY 3 STAR SELECTION OVERALL WINNER

WINNER - BLAKE SEXTON 

Awarded to the player who has accumulated the most 3 Star points during the regular season. The Cougars extend their thanks to Mill Valley Trophies of Cobourg for their sponsorship of this initiative.

 

GERTRUDE KENNEDY MEMORIAL AWARD

LEAST PENALIZED PLAYER

WINNER - COLBIE ANDREWS 

Mrs. Kennedy was a fan of the Cougars for more than 20 years. Due to her advanced age, she didn't come to the arena but every Monday night would find her sitting in front of the radio wearing her Cougar hat and cheering on her favourite team.

 

BILL ROBBINS MEMORIAL AWARD

EXEMPLARY SPIRIT & DETERMINATION 

WINNER - JAKE FLEGAL 

This award is in honour of a former Cougars President who was always in the forefront, promoting the team and encouraging fan support.

 

GEORGE SPALDING MEMORIAL AWARD-LEADING SCORER  

WINNER - BLAKE SEXTON 

Besides being a Cougar supporter in his role as timekeeper, George was a founding member of the Cobourg Baseball Association and served as the President of the Eastern Ontario Baseball Association. Being presented by George Spalding Jr.

 

MANAGER'S AWARD-MVP FOR THE PLAYOFFS  

WINNERS - JAMES DIMINIE AND MATHIEU CADIUEX  

Awarded to the Cougar who displayed an outstanding performance during the playoffs.

                                     

GARNET HARRIS MEMORIAL AWARD  

LEADERSHIP & SPORTSMANSHIP     

WINNER - BLAKE SEXTON     

Garnet Harris was a young man who played junior hockey and ball in Cobourg. He was a hardworking sportsman who had a terminal illness which ended his life much too early. This award is dedicated to Mr. Harris by his fellow team-mates.

 

BJ MONRO MEMORIAL AWARD

DESIRE-DEDICATION-DISCIPLINE-DETERMINATION

WINNERS - BLAKE SEXTON AND MATHIEU CADIEUX 

BJ Monro was a Cougar defenseman who perished in a car accident during his first season of Junior A hockey. This award is dedicated by his family, Bill, Debbie and Brandy Monro in BJ's memory. It is  presented to the Cougar who strives to achieve the highest level

attainable playing the game. The Cougars thank the Monro Family for their continuing support of the Club.  Being presented by Bill and Debbie Monro

 

BRIAN TURK MEMORIAL AWARD

PERSEVERANCE, SPORTSMANSHIP & DEDICATION   

JAMES DIMINIE 

Brian Turk was a player and an official of minor hockey as well as a timekeeper, announcer and a billet parent for many Cougars throughout his short life. He was dedicated to working with young players to improve their skills and hockey discipline and was admired by all who knew him, as a true sportsman.  Being presented by Cherly Turk

 

NEW THIS SEASON

ROD BAKER COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD

COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND PARTICIPATION

WINNERS - KEVIN VAN DYK AND JARED MARTIN 

Rod Baker known as the Cougars #1 Fan is a strong community supporter of various charities throughout Cobourg and Northumberland County.  Rod founded the local 'Coats 4 Kids' campaign in association and to benefit the Salvation Army, collecting and cleaning thousands of coats for children at his Baker Cleaners business in Cobourg.  This award goes to the individual(s) on the team who has contributed unselfishly to the children and community in which we reside.  Presented by Rod Baker   

Rod Baker Award

 

Cougars honour season's accomplishments

By JEFF GARD Northumberland Today

Updated 5 days ago

 

COBOURG - As the Cobourg Cougars celebrated another Ontario Junior A Hockey League campaign, for some of the players it wasn't just the end of a season.

Blake Sexton, James Diminie, Mathieu Cadieux, Kevin Van Dyk and Matt Nowicki have all played their final game with the Cougars as they graduate from the junior ranks.

Sexton, who was the team captain this year, addressed the crowd of 165 in attendance at the Cougars year-end banquet at Boston Pizza on Sunday. The Oshawa resident said that while he's not from Cobourg, he understood the pride of playing in the community for the Cougars.

In an interview later on, Sexton reiterated those sentiments. After previously playing a couple of seasons for the Cougars, he was dealt away for one year before being reacquired from the Lindsay Muskies during the past offseason.

"Playing in Cobourg was a blast. To come back here for my 20-year-old year after playing here two years before that, it was really fun. I knew this was the place I wanted to be with all the guys," Sexton said. "I knew a lot of the guys coming in here, the coaching staff, the fans and the community so instantly I knew it was where I wanted to spend my last year of hockey. It all worked out. We had the best time of our lives."

Sexton was the big winner of the awards portion of the evening, capturing five trophies in all that ranged from leadership and sportsmanship to desire, dedication, discipline and determination to being the leading scorer, top three-star performer and even being the favourite Cougar as voted by the fans.

Each award meant a lot, but while his team-leading 76 points were nice, he specifically took his role as captain seriously.

"I wasn't really expecting any of it," he said of the awards. "It's awesome for all the sportsmanship and

   

READ MORE ON THIS STORY

   

Click here for award photos on Dave powers website


Dear Cougar Fans, our Scout Ryan Bolton is reaching out for our help with the following cause.  He will be at the banquet on Sunday as well if you wish to make a donation to his 'Ride to Conquer Cancer'.   

 

Hello,

 

I'll be participating in a 2-day major cycling event called The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research hospitals in the world.

 

I'll be cycling over 200 KILOMETRES that weekend, from Toronto to Niagara Falls, with thousands of other Riders. All the proceeds will go to The Princess Margaret to support cancer research, treatment, and services. The Princess Margaret is Canada's leading comprehensive institution devoted to cancer research and care, and the work they're doing is leading-edge.

 

I've agreed to raise at least $2,500. So here's where you come in, because I need your help to do that. Could you please consider making a donation. Use the link at the bottom of this email to go visit my webpage, and please take the time to support me. Please keep in mind the commitment I'm making to end this heartbreaking disease and the personal efforts I'll have to make to accomplish this.

 

When I say "heartbreaking," here's what I mean: research at the National Cancer Institute of Canada show 171,000 estimated new cases of cancer in Canada this year and  75,300  estimated deaths from cancer in Canada this year. That's why I'm riding. To do something BIG about cancer. I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.

 

 

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

 

Sincerely,

 

Ryan Bolton

Please visit my personal page by clicking here 


IN THE NEWS - UPDATE ON THE NEW CCC 
Join us for the Official Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the CCC! Everyone is welcome 9:30am on Saturday, April 16th - come take a self guided walking tour of the facility, enjoy a free skate, run or walk on the indoor track, or maybe take in a hockey game!

Seat Sale
CCCentre_2
ccc5

CCCentre_3

  CCC AD 

  

Click HERE a virtual tour!

KEEP CHECKING OUT THE UPDATED TOURS OF OUR NEW RINK!!! 



COUGARS Tickets 4 Kids Campaign

Tickets4KidsMaster

THE COUGARS TICKETS 4 KIDS CAMPAIGN WILL BE BACK NEXT SEASON! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR THE TICKETS 4 KIDS CAMPAIGN PLEASE EMAIL KELLY MARTIN.

 

IF YOU ARE A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHO WOULD LIKE TO BENEFIT FROM OUR TICKETS 4 KIDS CAMPAIGN OR ARE PART OF A COMMUNITY GROUP REPRESENTING CLIENTS ON LOW FIXED INCOME, THE COUGARS HAVE SPECIAL PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO PROVIDE FREE PASSES FOR YOUR CLIENTS.  PLEASE EMAIL KELLY FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS AND OTHER NON-PROFIT OPPORTUNITIES.  WE BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A COUGARS FAN REGARDLESS OF AFFORDABILITY OF TICKETS.