ORHL Season Update

Hello All,

On behalf of the ORHL we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you; parents, players, coaches, trainers and managers for a fantastic 2019–20 season. We had over 700 players registered playing in the ORHL with over 1000 games being played. Our league consisted of 42 member teams in the ORHL this hockey season.

A special thank you to our 33 guest teams that attended our ORHL events. We look forward to hosting your teams again next year.

The Kickoff Classic will open in London Friday October 2nd – 4th weekend. Please understand, only time will tell if we will be on schedule to start in October, we will continue to keep everyone informed.

We have added a new venue to our events schedule, Gateway Arena in Stoney Creek where we look forward to creating new memories.

Stay safe, stay healthy and continue to practice social distancing.

Regards,

Kevin McKinnon
President ⁄ Commissioner
Ontario Rep Hockey League

kevin@orhl.net
cell (416) 791 8750

April 1, 2020

Kevin and Diane,

Tough times call for positive encouragement...

Although we were so unfortunate to be told that we could not finish our season, I never once doubted the way Kevin and Diane handled the situation. Why? Because I have never met 2 better people that I would trust looking after my Son's well being.

Three (3) years ago, my Son Ben learned the harsh reality of politics in Hockey. It was sad, he wanted to quit, felt like he was "trash" and no Coach wanted him. I had heard about this ORHL and thought, "well, let's check it out. Anything is better than HL" .. well Ben got in the very last tryout. I saw him work hard and give it all he had. He just wanted to be "picked". Sad right?? No kid should feel that way. He knew nobody, he was nervous. This was all out of his comfort zone. No friends or past teammates sitting next to him. For a kid that must have been scary. He come off the ice with a smile that I thought was gone .. he sat in the room and his exact words were, "I want to be here, I am choosing this!" WOW!! As a Mom, I wanted to do what was best for my Child. This was his decision and he made it. I tool a lot of flack from Hockey Families, why were we going to play for an "Outlaw League", that hockey isn‘t real. I felt strong about the move so I stood by it.

So here we are 3 Seasons later and my Son has had the best 3 years of his life!!! He has never looked back, only forward. Has made friends for life!! The CHILL Club took Ben in 2 years ago when The Wave folded their teams. What a privilege that was!!! It was a tricky situation with the last minute change at the Wave, but the Coaches came out to watch him and emailed Ben and said "We want you!" Ben has played under the ORHL for 3 Seasons, has played with the CHILL for 2 and we look forward to another Season wearing Blue and White!!! My Son is happy, he has played some of the best hockey and with some of the best talent to date. All we wanted was development, structure, organization, competitive hockey BUT most importantly RESPECT. We got all of that here in the ORHL. The BEST ran program I have seen and been apart of. Now I have all those Parents who were not supportive asking me about this program, what it offers!!

Kevin and Diane run a tight ship. They have respect for all of the Coaches, Managers and Trainers. They love the kids. Always making Showcases and Tourneys fun and exciting. Their organizational skills are hands down astonishing. This ORHL is getting bigger by the minute .. and that is not done by running a gong show!!! Hats off to both of you and all of your staff. Thank you for allowing me to apart of it (Trainer for 3 Seasons), for all you do, all of you compassion and hard dedication and work ethic. Thank you for bringing back the Love of the Game for Benny and many other kids (this I know).

We will be apart of this organization with pride right up until Big Benny says we are done!! Why the heck would we go anywhere else!!!???

Wishing everyone at the ORHL and all of the ORHL Families a safe and healthy "Off Season".

All the best,

The Furanna Family
Carlisle CHILL
Benny Furanna #84

March 29, 2020

Kevin and Diane

I would like to take this time to thank you.

Over the last four years, I have been involved with the ORHL as a coach, parent and fan. Despite what some of the propaganda that suggests the ORHL is nothing more than a rogue and renegade league, it has provided a positive and impactful experience for myself, my three children and hopefully for the families that I have been involved in along the journey.

The ORHL has filled a niche of competitive hockey and flexible schedule options. The combination of a regular-season schedule combined with Showcases and Tournaments sets this league apart from almost all other leagues in the province. The concept develops competition and comradery with players, teams, coaches, officials, parents and fans. It truly creates an ORHL family atmosphere.

It is an exciting time as the ORHL continues to develop its infrastructure to support the new organizations wanting to join the league. This growth certainly hasn't happened accidentally. From my perspective, the league has grown because of its leadership. The calm approach each of you has in dealing with situations is commendable and is noticed by many.

So, THANK YOU both and to the many individuals behind the scenes that have made my ORHL hockey experience fantastic.

Terry Wilkins
Principal
Lord Nelson P.S.

March 31, 2020

Hello Diane

I just wanted to send you guys something I felt needed to be said from a coach and first time ORHL parent.

You are the people who organize, provide structure and plan events. Simply said you guys schedule a league around hundreds of families, and do a fantastic job making it work, THANK YOU

This was my first season involved in the ORHL as a family, and happy to say the Coach of the Peewee Halton Rage.

This 2019 ⁄ 2020 season we had this fantastic new expansion club introduced by Colin Sharma and Mike Peters. Two gentleman as you know have committed so much time and effort for families all over many cities. This season they have made so many fantastic experiences available for the 17 families that took part in my organization. Not to mention what they have done for the ORHL in past years.

The unfortunate season end due to the horrible reality of Covid 19 and its effects across the world, have been devastating for many. However as a proud coach in the ORHL I would like to thank you all for your efforts in keeping families safe, and the hard work to try and salvage what was left of the 2020 hockey season.

My experiences have been fantastic this season and I look forward to the next. Thank you all for everything.

Coach
Dave Posavad
HALTON RAGE