Although it was not the end to our season we had worked for, we will hold our heads high with pride for an incredible year that no one, but ourselves expected from the South Grenville Rangers.

 

Had anyone said before the season that we would have came first in our division, second in the league, and swept a playoff series they would have been faced with surprise or even laughter.

 

Jokes on them, because inside our organization our only goal was to do things the right way and be the best in the NCJHL.

 

Being the best to me isn’t as simple as winning championships, and it’s not as simple as having the best team on paper. To me being the best organization in the NCJHL takes many people working together to make South Grenville proud and for that we have many people to thank.

 

We must thank our sponsors. Without the generous donations from many different businesses in our community this team would not be possible. Hockey is an expensive sport and running a junior hockey team is no different. Your continued support allowed us to keep player fees low, and the young men who are attending university, college, or entering the workforce are very thankful for that.

 

We must also thank our volunteers. Whether you’re the face greeting everyone at the front door, selling 50/50 tickets, running the score clock, or the music. Your time and commitment is noticed and appreciated by not only myself, but the players as well.

 

Our media coverage this season was top notch. It may have took me banging down doors to get people to realize how special this team was, but when they did they came and they got on board. Joe Martelle - Prescott Journal, Phil Blanchard - Morrisburg Leader, Tim Ruhnke and Jon Brodie – Brockville Recorder and Times, and Jeff Moore - Chesterville Record, thank you for your help putting these young men on the stage they deserved.

 

This season we asked friends of the team Ethan Jackson and Liam Manderville to give a hand with our social media coverage. They did not disappoint and took a large game day distraction off my plate when I was trying to focus on coaching. Not only did they help me, but also our fans following from home. Their game updates and weekend recaps took us to another level. Haylea Holmes was hidden behind the scenes all season snapping photos of our wonderful ride for everyone to enjoy. Not only has she captured our memories, but also provided me with content for my weekly posters. Thank you for volunteering your time.

 

Not only a thank you, but also a congratulations goes out to our volunteer bench staff. Our head coach, Ron Harrison, took home Coach of the Year honours and he'd be the first to tell you that it's a team award. Thank you also to assistant coach Duane “Bull” VandenAnker, goalie coach Richard Joudion, and trainer Sam Rappin. It takes a lot of time away from your families to commit to a hockey team, and I'm proud to have stood on that bench with you as an assistant coach.

 

To the players, thank you for making this worth it for all of us. Our veterans were skeptical this summer and even though I refused to make promises, I asked for your trust in me and my plan. Our rookies chose to look past our losing record last season and believe in the culture we were trying to build. Together we became a family and with this season coming to an end it became evident with the raw emotion and love being shown for our overagers.

 

Yes we came up short on our team goal of a championship, but my goals were exceeded when our brotherhood was proven.

 

To the fans, we were dealt a terrible hand having our beloved Leo Boivin Community Centre closed, but you did not hesitate in moving to Cardinal with us and showing why we have the best fans in the league. The Row will travel, and we did “Pack The Track.”

 

As a team, we know we let you down Saturday night because we let ourselves down as well. That being said, next season we will be back. We will be back a better team with more experience, and I promise more noise will be made by the SGR.

 

Finally, a thank you needs to be said from myself and everyone above to the Van Luit family. You decided to bring junior hockey back to South Grenville and continue a tradition larger than all of us. I’m proud to be your GM and I’m even prouder of the organization that we have all built in two short seasons.

 

 

Cheers to an unforgettable season,

 

Lucas Stitt

General Manager

South Grenville Rangers