Mary McGee's Sponsorship of the Kawartha Komets

Even though the Kawartha Komets Board of Directors decided unanimously to cancel our 2020-2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our primary sponsor, Mary McGee, kindly and generously agreed to sponsor our special needs program again.

Even though our four (4) teams are not on the ice this season, there are ongoing expenses that need to be looked after.

Thank you, Mary, for your sponsorship over these many years. You play such a significant role as we seek to fulfill the Komets' mandate of "Making Dreams Come True" for our players.

CN Railroaders in the Community & the Kawartha Komets

The Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program recently received a donation of $1,704.10 through the CN Railroaders in the Community initiative.  Our Coordinator of Volunteers, Kevin Smith, is a retired pensioner with CN Rail and, as such, he is eligible to participate in this program.

Here is a summary of this opportunity taken from their web site:

CN Railroaders in the Community

A spirit of caring

We are proud of the hundreds of CN employees, their families, and pensioners who give generously of their time to local causes through our CN Railroaders in the Community program. They are part of the fabric of the many cities, towns and villages across our entire North American network, helping to make their communities better places to live and work.

CN supports their efforts, by providing rewards to the organizations where our CN railroaders volunteer. The rewards encourage a spirit of caring and support our railroaders’ endeavours to make a difference in their communities.

For every hour that a retiree puts in as a volunteer, CN Railroaders in the Community will donate $15.00 per hour to a maximum of $2,250.00 per year (150 hours). 

Due to COVID-19, Kevin’s hours were reduced as we haven’t been on the ice since March 2020.  Still, with all of Kevin’s hours spent at the rink, in board meetings and at last year’s tournament, we received a donation of $1,704.20 with an additional $100.00 coming in March. In a non-COVID year we could easily receive the maximum of $2,350.00 based on Kevin’s volunteer hours.

Prior to this year, CN Railroaders in the Community donated $500. a year in honour of Kevin’s volunteer service.

We are grateful to CN Railroaders in the Community for offering this program and to Kevin Smith for the many volunteer hours that he devotes to the Komets.  Thank you, Kevin!

Please click on the link below for a Railroad Safety Quiz.  It won’t take long and it’s very interesting…and IMPORTANT.  I did it and it was fun and informative.  For all players, parents, caregivers and volunteers…please check it out. Better to be SAFE…than sorry!

CN Railroaders in the Community are committed to the safety or everyone and want you to be aware of these safety tips:

Rail Safety Tips

1 ● Speed misperception…Because of their size, trains appear to be much farther away and travelling much slower than their actual speed. Don’t be fooled!

2 ● Trains can’t stop quickly…The average train needs at least 2 km to stop. Trains can stop, but they can’t stop quickly!

3 ● Trespassing…Taking a shortcut across the tracks or being on railway property is illegal, and trespassers can be seriously injured or killed.

4 ● Weight ratio…An average freight train weighs over 5,500 tonnes. Compare that to a car, which weighs about 1.5 tonnes. A train hitting a car is like a car hitting a pop can.

5 ● Railway cars…Stopped railway cars can move at any time. If you’re on one or near one when it moves, you could lose a limb—or worse, your life.

6 ● Tunnels and bridges…Tunnels, bridges, and trestles are designed only for trains. Trespassers can be seriously injured or killed.

7 ● Overhang…Trains can carry loads that are wider than the railroad cars themselves. They can have chains, straps or other equipment that may extend outside the car. If you are standing too close, you could get hit.

8 ● Any time is train time…Trains do not always run on schedule. They can run at any time, on any track and come from either direction.

9 ● CN police number…Together we can help save lives! If you witness any unsafe situation near a railroad, please call 1-800-465-9239.

10 ● Safety pledge…Act today. Take the pledge at mysafetypledge.com.

Please stay well, stay strong and stay SAFE…everyone!

David / Director of Promotions, Communications and Media Relations

 

Kawartha Komets Donate Surplus Equipment to First Nations

Recently the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program made a sizeable donation of good, used hockey equipment to the First Nations Hockey Equipment Drive. Over the 12 years since the Komets were launched we have received many donations of equipment and our board agreed that to save storage costs we should donate these surplus items. Two van loads of skates and equipment were dropped off last Saturday and these items will be distributed to those who might not be able to afford new equipment.

The Peterborough Examiner published the following report:

"The Peterborough Petes spent Saturday helping organize donations of hockey equipment for First Nations communities, part of the 'Their Opportunity' program.

The team helped out the call for donations, and it was answered. More than 700 bags of gear were collected at Total Construction Management on Lansdowne Street East.

Since its inception in 2015, the First Nations Hockey Equipment Drive (FNHED) has collected, organized, sanitized, and donated thousands of equipment sets. The organization also accepts cash donations through 'Their Opportunity'. Tax receipts will be issued, and all funds will be used to buy new hockey helmets and support equipment transportation costs.

The Komets donated two van loads of equipment

MPP Dave Smith Supports the Kawartha Komets

 It was so refreshing and encouraging to see this photo of our local MPP, Dave Smith, wearing his Kawartha Komets jersey at a meeting with amateur sports organizations. The photo appeared in Dave Smith's ACTION CENTRE NEWS for September 2020.

Thank you, Dave, for your ongoing support of the Komets and for all you do for our riding!

PETERBOROUGH WOLVES NAMED SPECIAL OLYMPICS ONTARIO 2020 TEAM OF THE YEAR

The Peterborough Wolves floor hockey team have been named the Special Olympics Ontario 2020 Team of the Year.

CONGRATULATIONS to the coaching staff, Ron Cambridge, Joan Moriarty and Andrew Snead and the all the players. Several members of the floor hockey team also play for the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program...Jacob Zitman, Ryan Blinn, Quinten Over, Brandon Allen (Vansickle) and Stone Shearer. Two former Komets are also on the team...Dylan Armstrong and Michael Brioux. We're proud of you all.

The Peterborough Examiner published the following article, written by Mike Davies, this week:

Accolades keep coming for the Peterborough Wolves floor hockey team.

In March they won the gold medal representing Ontario in the A Division of the Special Olympics National Winter Games in Thunder Bay.

On Monday, they were named the Special Olympics Ontario 2020 Team of the Year. They are one of two Peterborough teams honoured this year as the St. Peter Saints traditional basketball team was named School Team of the Year.

“This just caps off the great season we had and our great trip to nationals,” said Wolves coach Ron Cambridge.

“Being recognized by your province just gives us inspiration for next year.”

The Wolves were undefeated in five games at nationals and rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the final to beat British Columbia 4-3 on Michael Brioux’s goal with two seconds left.

“It’s an honour to get this award,” said player Dylan Armstrong, 27.

“It means a lot and means that we are being looked at as a team that’s on the cusp of making it bigger. What made our team special is we all got together and figured out what our weaknesses were and what our strengths were and we put them all together.”

Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program Cancels 2020-2021 Season

MEDIA RELEASE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2020

The Board of Directors of the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program voted unanimously to cancel the upcoming 2020-2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety and well-being of our players, families, caregivers, volunteers and board members is of paramount importance and we felt that the risks of playing were too great for our organization.

The additional liability insurance that we would require, strict safety protocols that would have to be adhered to, and the fact that some of our players have compromised immune systems were some of the factors that led to us making this very difficult decision.

Over the past weeks we have been in close contact with our governing body, Canadian National Special Hockey, the OHF (Ontario Hockey Federation), Hockey Canada and our local arena personnel.  As an organization we are committed to providing a safe “return to play” for our players but at this time we feel we cannot guarantee their safety and well-being.

The Kawartha Komets, founded by Carol Fisher in 2009, just completed our 11^th season with four teams, the Saturns, Galaxy, Meteors and Phoenix.  Mary McGee, wife of the late Jack McGee, has been the primary sponsor of the Komets since 2013.

We look forward to hitting the ice again for the 2021-2022 season.

For more information on the Kawartha Komets please check our web site at www.kawarthakomets.com  If you are interested in playing for the Komets, please go to the web site, click on the registration tab and print off and complete the “Intent to Register” form and mail it to us.  The Komets will keep you informed of any further developments.

 

ACCESS STORAGE - ASSOCIATE SPONSOR OF THE KAWARTHA KOMETS

The Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program wishes to remind people in Peterborough and the surrounding area that ACCESS STORAGE, formerly operating as STORE-N-SAVE, is one of our associate sponsors.

If you are planning on moving in the near future and need a place to store some items or...if you just need a place to keep extra furniture, etc. please consider using ACCESS STORAGE.

The Kawartha Komets have been using the excellent facilities of ACCESS STORAGE for over five (5) years at their location on 1850 Fisher Drive, Peterborough ON K9J 6X6.

"ACCESS STORAGE is Proudly Canadian Owned with over 200 locations from coast to coast. “We are honoured to align ourselves with the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program in this partnership as we value strong community relationships and the Komets’ heartfelt cause to break down barriers to include all in the sport of hockey.”

From a basic 5’x5’ to a large 15’x20’ locker, an interior climate-controlled unit, to an exterior drive-up one, their facility has it all...and with options to suit any budget. All of the premium self-storage features you could require are available at the Access Storage in Peterborough including great service everyday!

For any of your storage needs, we encourage you to contact ACCESS STORAGE by calling 1–855-466-7367 or by visiting their website @ www.accessstorage.ca

THANK YOU, ACCESS STORAGE, for your sponsorship of our special needs hockey program! Your partnership will assist the Kawartha Komets in fulfilling our mandate of "Making Dreams Come True" for our players! - David Fisher.

Thank You to our Kawartha Komets Team of Volunteers

 The Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program, established in 2009, has an incredible team of volunteers who generously give of their time and talents, week after week. 

Our motto is "Making Dreams Come True" and these faithful, committed volunteers do their utmost to make this happen for the 60 plus Komets players on 4 teams.

THANK YOU to each and every one of you! Because of your efforts, the Komets are BLAZING and making a difference in the lives of these amazing athletes. 

We celebrate our team of volunteers during this National Volunteer Week!

Kawartha Komets Cancel Balance of 2019-2020 Season

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO OUR KAWARTHA KOMETS MEMBERSHIP:

Due to the COVID – 19 virus pandemic, after consulting with our Board of Directors, some concerned parents and a health care professional, the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program regrets to announce that we are cancelling the balance of the 2019-2020 season.  

We take the health and safety of our players, parents, caregivers, staff and volunteers very seriously and we feel that this is the right decision “for the good of the Komets”.  

When organizations like the NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer and the Ontario Hockey League have suspended their seasons we feel that we must be pro-active in this matter especially since some of our players have compromised immune systems.  

We regret that we had to make this decision because our players look forward to playing hockey each weekend and they’re always disappointed when the season ends.

THANK YOU for your understanding!  It has been a successful season and we will move ahead…”for the good of the Komets”!

Peterborough Wolves Win GOLD at Winter Games

CONGRATULATIONS to the Peterborough Wolves for winning GOLD in floor hockey at the Special Olympics Winter Games in Thunder Bay!  We are so proud of you!

Five of the team members currently play for the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program...Quinten Over, Ryan Blinn, Jacob Zitman, Stone Shearer and Brandon Van Sickle.  Two of the Wolves players are former Komets, Michael Brioux and Dylan Armstrong!  You made our city proud of your accomplishments. 

Special CONGRATULATIONS to the coaching staff, Joan Moriarty, Andrew Snead and Ron Cambridge!

Brandon Van Sickle to Represent Canada at World Cup

INTERNATIONAL DISABLED HOCKEY WORLD CUP

The inaugural International Disabled Hockey World Cup will take place May 11-17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event provides athletes with disabilities the opportunity to play for a world championship as these disciplines do not have enough teams or are not recognized by the international body to participate in the Paralympics.

The tournament will feature women's sled hockey, men's development sled hockey, deaf/hard of hearing hockey, blind hockey, special hockey and amputee hockey. Each discipline will contain four teams that will compete in a minimum of four tournament games. There will be a championship game for each discipline, except for special hockey in which all participants will be recognized. The International Disabled Hockey World Cup will follow the same rules normally used by each disciplines International Federation. For more information, please email:

 disabledhockey@usahockey.org

TEAM CANADA SPECIAL HOCKEY

Each member organization of CNSH (Canadian National Special Hockey) was invited to nominate a player(s) to participate in the Special Hockey competition at the International Disabled Hockey World Cup.  There were commitments, requirements and qualifications that each player had to meet.  The Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program nominated Brandon Van Sickle, a 10-year veteran of our organization who plays on the Senior PHOENIX team. Brandon is the son of Andrew Snead and Robert Krueger.

He’s an enthusiastic and polite young man…a joy to have on any team. Brandon excels in soccer and floor hockey and has traveled extensively with Special Olympics…competing in the World Games in soccer at Abu Dhabi…winning a bronze medal and winning gold at the Nationals, in soccer, in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.  He also plays baseball, swims and is involved in 10-pin bowling.  He displays excellence in all he does!  We’ve watched Brandon improve and excel with each passing season and he is certainly an excellent candidate to represent Canada at the Hockey World Cup. 

The Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program is proud to announce that Brandon has been accepted to represent Team Canada.  Team Canada will play a minimum of four (4) games against Special Hockey International teams from the USA, United Kingdom, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark.  This is a first-time event for Team Canada.

Everyone in the Kawartha Komets organization wishes Brandon the very best as he represents our country and the City of Peterborough.

Peterborough, ON – January 25^th,2020  

kawarthakomets@gmail.com     

DONATE to the Komets Today, GIVING TUESDAY, December 3rd, 2019

TODAY, December 3rd, 2019 is GIVING TUESDAY!!! 

We encourage you to make a donation of $25.00 or more to the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program today, Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 - GIVING TUESDAY - and Canada Helps will add $5.00 to each donation.

 

PLEASE CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK to make a donation.  REMEMBER...if you make a donation on GIVING TUESDAY, today, of $25.00 or more, Canada Helps will add $5.00 to your donation.

Thank you for partnering with us in this our 11th season of providing girls, boys, teens and adults with physical, emotional and/or neurodevelopmental challenges an opportunity to play the game they love...HOCKEY!

All donors who make a donation of $25.00 or more TODAY will receive an Official Income Tax Receipt.

Busy Weekend for the Komets & Robert McGregor

It was another busy weekend for the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program and a very special one for our SATURNS (Junior) goaltender, Robert McGregor. On Saturday we had three games against the Newmarket Nighthawks here in Peterborough. 

Before the game, Robert presented a cheque for $500 to the Komets...proceeds from the sale of his book A Journey of a Thousand Steps. Robert's book recounts the challenges he has faced over the years...battling cancer, his visual impairment and a successful kidney transplant...his father John being the donor.

Today the Komets played four games in Ajax against the Durham Dragons. Robert's friends and family were in attendance...in full force...to cheer him on. We captured them on camera following his game.  THANK YOU, Robert, for being such an inspiration to all of us.

Please contact us at dwfisher@nexicom.net if you'd like a copy of A Journey of a Thousand Steps.

Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough GRANT

The Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program is excited to announce that we received a Vital Community Grant this week from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough in the amount of $5,000.

On Thursday November 14, 2019, the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough announced an investment of $116,500 in grants to support the work of 26 local charities.

The investment supports projects that strengthen community connections. This granting focus has been informed by local community knowledge and through the Foundation’s Vital Signs and Vital Conversations initiatives. The funding was announced during a reception at Peterborough Museum and Archives.

The proceeds from this Vital Community Grant will be used to subsidize the cost of purchasing new helmets for our special needs hockey players and helping with the registration fees of players who can't afford the minimal fees which the Komets charge.

The Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program is grateful for this Vital Community Grant.

For more information on the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough please visit their web site by clicking HERE.

Kawartha Komets Announce New Sponsorship

The Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program is pleased to announce a new sponsorship with ACCESS STORAGE, formerly operating as STORE-N-SAVE here in Peterborough.

The Kawartha Komets have been using the excellent facilities of ACCESS STORAGE for over five (5) years at their location on 1850 Fisher Drive, Peterborough ON K9J 6X6.

ACCESS STORAGE is Proudly Canadian Owned with over 200 locations from coast to coast. “We are honoured to align ourselves with the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program in this partnership as we value strong community relationships and the Komets’ heartfelt cause to break down barriers to include all in the sport of hockey.”

From a basic 5’x5’ to a large 15’x20’ locker, an interior climate-controlled unit, to an exterior drive-up one, their facility has it all...and with options to suit any budget. All of the premium self-storage features you could require are available at the Access Storage in Peterborough including great service everyday!

For any of your storage needs, we encourage you to contact ACCESS STORAGE by calling 1–855-466-7367 or by visiting their website BY CLICKING HERE.

THANK YOU, ACCESS STORAGE, for your sponsorship of our special needs hockey program! Your partnership will assist the Kawartha Komets in fulfilling our mandate of "Making Dreams Come True" for our players!

Bonding

Downs and Ups

In special needs hockey, players are only opponents until one goes down. 

Then...we become brothers (or sisters)...making sure the player who is "down" is alright. 

Then we help the player "up" and continue with the game. 

An amazing sport for incredible athletes!

The Wolves Were Howling

On Sunday afternoon the Peterborough Wolves Special Olympics floor hockey team took on the local Fire Fighters who were really "fired up" for the game.  The game took place in the gym at Trent University.

The Wolves picked up a win and it was very entertaining to watch.  The Wolves were using this amazing opportunity to gear up for the Special Olympics Nationals in Thunder Bay, Ontario in February!

One of the goalies in the game is a member of the Guelph Special Olympics floor hockey team and drove from there to help out the Wolves.

Several of our Kawartha Komets players were in uniform for the Wolves and they all played a great game.

Stone Shearer, one of the Komets, had to leave before the team photo was taken

Komets players from left...Jesse Campbell, Ryan Blinn, Jacob Zitman, Brandon Vansickle & Quinten Over 

Komets' Season # 11 Launched on the Road in Newmarket

The Kawartha Komets launched Season # 11 with three (3) games in Newmarket against the Nighthawks.  

The players were anxious to get on the ice after waiting all summer for their hockey season to start.  Kyle Bolton, a Saturns center, could hardly wait for the puck to drop to get the season underway!

The Nighthawks are always great hosts and we played those games without having had any practices.  We are back home at the Evinrude Centre with practices for all four (4) teams for the next three weeks.  You can check our draft Schedule by clicking on the SCHEDULE tab on this web site.

The Komets will be welcoming several new players this weekend.  We were thrilled to sign up one of our Alumni players, Max Lagrois, in Newmarket on Saturday.  After missing last season with the Komets, Max was so excited to be back that he scored the first two goals in the Intermediate game.

BLAZE KOMETS, BLAZE!

I think Kyle Bolton was saying..."please drop the puck!"  

 

We welcomed back Max Lagrois with his parents Yvette and Dennis  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thank You, Mary McGee, for your 8th Season of Komets Sponsorship

The Kawartha Komets are thrilled to announce that long-time sponsor, supporter, friend and encourager, Mary McGee, has come forward again before the 2019-2020 season with her sponsorship in memory of her late husband Jack McGee, founder of Jack McGee Chevrolet Cadillac.  

The Komets are preparing to launch our 11th season of "special needs hockey" and this is the 8th year that Mary McGee has partnered with us.  It was our pleasure to visit Mary recently to thank her for her ongoing sponsorship which enables the Komets to continue to BLAZE for another season.

David Fisher
Director of Promotions, Communications and Media Relations
Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program

The following quotes by Mrs. McGee appeared in an article by Sports Director Mike Davies in the Peterborough Examiner back in 2012 when Mary decided to become the major sponsor for theKawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program:

"Jack McGee cheered for the underdog and the Kawartha Komets is the type of team he would have supported", says his widow.

That’s why Mary McGee decided to answer the special needs hockey team’s plea for a major sponsor. She has donated $10,000 in memory of Mr. McGee, founder of Jack McGee Chevrolet Cadillac, to help the fledgling team.

“Jack always loved kids and always loved the underdog,” said Mary. “These are the kind of people who sometimes slip through the cracks. I thought this would be a perfect way to remember Jack and to help these people.”

“I’ve been trying to find something to do in memory of Jack and the right thing didn’t seem to come along,” she said. “I thought this sounded like a perfect fit.”

“Jack was always interested in helping kids and sponsoring teams,” she said. “He was always there when someone needed a handout. I can't remember Jack saying ‘no.’ We usually do this anonymously, we have preferred to do it that way, the only reason I told the Fishers it was all right to mention it is because I wanted to do it in memory of Jack. He was a very special man to a lot of people.”

Kawartha Komets and Northumberland Lions Working Relationship

ANNOUNCEMENT & MEDIA RELEASE…August 31st, 2019

The Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program is excited to announce that beginning with the 2019-2020 season we have entered into a working relationship with the Northumberland Lions Special Needs Hockey Program.

  

The Komets  just celebrated their 10^th Anniversary Season with four (4) teams and over 60 players.

The Northumberland Lions just completed their 1^st season of special needs hockey, led by Brian Brown, Yvette Lagrois and Dennis Lagrois.  Mr. Brown has since left the Lions organization.

The Kawartha Komets were approached by the Northumberland Lions and following ongoing discussions with the Lagrois family, the Board of Directors of the Komets unanimously approved this new partnership that will benefit both programs.

The Northumberland Lions’ web site states the following:

“SPECIAL NEEDS SHINNY - Players of all ages! No skill level required!

The special needs shinny program is run by the Municipality of Port Hope, Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture as per an initiative brought forward by the Accessibility Committee. This program runs at the Jack Burger Sports Complex on Sundays at 4-5pm and is open to special needs patrons of all ages and abilities. For the 2019/2020 season, Five Counties has sponsored the program making it free for all drop in participants. Port Hope Panther players as well as a core group of volunteers will be on hand to assist all participants and ensure a fun, safe and inclusive environment. We are appreciative of the volunteer support offered by the Panthers.

Northumberland Lions Special Needs Hockey Program:

The Northumberland Lions will be renting ice throughout the year for members to participate in practices and games. Team jerseys will be provided for the players.  Ice time has been generously donated by Ontario Truck Training Academy. Ice times will be released shortly. No registration fee!  SOME EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE.  FREE FOR ALL AGES.”

Our Kawartha Komets/Northumberland partnership:

We anticipate that after learning these hockey skills, players will be encouraged, should they desire to do so, to move up to the Kawartha Komets Junior team, the Saturns, where they can further develop and be involved in games and practices on Saturday mornings at the Evinrude Centre in Peterborough.

The Kawartha Komets will do everything we can to support and encourage the Lagrois family and the Northumberland Lions Special Needs Hockey Program.

If you are interested in getting involved or if you’d like more information on these special needs hockey programs, please contact:

Yvette Lagrois @ yvette.lagrois@otta.ca or Carol or David Fisher @ dwfisher@nexicom.net

Check us out at: www.northumberlandlions.ca & www.kawarthakomets.com

David Fisher

Director of Promotions, Communications and Media Relations

Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program