hunder Bay Kings AAA Hockey
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Media Update
Release date: Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016
Kings CCM Showcase, powered by OneHockey, begins tomorrow
Former Thunder Bay Senators forward Fortier heads up OneHockey
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – It will be a homecoming of sorts this weekend as the Thunder Bay Kings hosts the first annual CCM Showcase, powered by OneHockey, at Fort William First Nation Arena.
Former Thunder Bay Senators forward Sebastien Fortier, from his days in the Colonial Hockey League, has returned to the Lakehead serving in his capacity as chief executive officer of OneHockey, North America’s largest youth hockey tournament group, which recently expanded to holding events in Europe.
Senators fans will recall Fortier as a fierce competitor along with being an exciting, physical left winger, who spent the 1995-96 campaign in Thunder Bay as part of a six-year pro career.
“It’s so great to be back in Thunder Bay,” offered the 43-year-old Sherbrooke, Que., product heading into the opener of the Kings CCM Showcase.
“I had such a great time playing here in front of true fans that know and love the game. I have talked about Thunder Bay fans to hundreds of friends,” added the current OneHockey CEO.
“I clearly remember the great fan support here.”
Attending and help coordinate the event will also allow Fortier an opportunity to catch up with a number of teammates from that 1995-96 Senators side that advanced all the way to the CHL final that season.
Among those former players are a number who will have a connection to the event.
Ex-Senators goaltender Pat Szturm’s son Tyler currently mans the nets for the Kenora Thistles AAA midget squad, who will be competing in the CCM Showcase, powered by OneHockey.
Another player from that Thunder Bay side two decades ago is present minor midget Kings head coach Omer Belisle.
Belisle’s son Owen skates for the under-16 edition of the Kings.
Former Senators defenceman Darren Perkins also has a son that plays for the Volunteer Pool Bearcats midget AA team that will also be part of the weekend.
Current Kings’ President Gary Linquist was the equipment manager for the Sens back in the day.
OneHockey is in its 13th year having hosted more than 2,000 teams from 20 countries at its year-round events.
From its festive music and amusing mascot streaming throughout each venue to its red carpet social media interviews in the lobby and, of course, its trademark championship celebrations – complete with a OneHockey Cup raising – hockey families around the globe agree the OneHockey Experience cannot be equaled.
“No one does what we do,” Fortier said. “We’ve revolutionized the hockey tournament industry. We transform each venue into an OneHockey arena. You will hear music playing, see multiple vendors and can take part in our mini-expo, even sampling CCM products in Thunder Bay.”
Fortier is proud to partner with the Kings and CCM to introduce Thunder Bay to some of the best talent in the 1999-2004 age groups this weekend, including two teams from renowned Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school program of Minnesota.
The three-day event features a total of 18 games that will take place in peewee, bantam and midget divisions.
Thunder Bay Kings CCM Showcase
Powered by OneHockey
Schedule
All games at Fort William First Nation Arena
Friday, Dec. 16
PEEWEE: Gentry Galaxy vs. Kings 2 p.m.
MIDGET: Minor Midget Kings vs. Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres U-16 4 p.m.
MIDGET: Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres U-18 vs. Major Midget Kings 6 p.m.
PEEWEE: Kings vs. HNO Stars 7:15 p.m. (Rink No. 2)
BANTAM: V.P. Bearcats Midget AA vs. Kings 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 17
PEEWEE: HNO Stars vs. Gentry Galaxy 8 a.m.
MIDGET: Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres U-18 vs. Kenora Thistles 10 a.m.
BANTAM: Kings vs. Current River Comets 12 p.m.
PEEWEE: Kings vs. Gentry Galaxy 2 p.m.
MIDGET: Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres U-16 vs. Minor Midget Kings 4 p.m.
MIDGET: Kenora Thistles vs. Major Midget Kings 6 p.m.
PEEWEE: North End Flames Bantam AA vs. Kings 7:15 p.m. (Rink No. 2)
BANTAM: Kings vs. V.P. Bearcats Midget AA 8 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 18
PEEWEE: Gentry Galaxy vs. HNO Stars 8 a.m.
MIDGET: Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres U-16 vs. Kenora Thistles 10 a.m.
MIDGET: Major Midget Kings vs. Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres U-18 12 p.m.
PEEWEE: Kings vs. HNO Stars 2 p.m.
BANTAM: Current River Comets Midget AA vs. Kings 4 p.m.
