Annual Year-End Banquet and Trophy Presentation

The Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program held our annual year-end banquet and trophy presentation at Rhema Christian School on Saturday, May 27th.  The event was well attended and the players enjoyed a photo booth where they could get dressed up and have their picture taken, face painting and a blow-up basketball centre.

The event celebrated the completion of the Komets 8th season of Special Hockey International play!

CONGRATULATIONS to all our players, coaches, on-ice volunteers, trainers and bench support staff on another successful season.

Many thanks to Lisa Mills, Special Events Co-ordinator, and all her volunteers for a great celebration.

Stone Shearer, Meteors player

Gary & Elaine Gilbert proud parents of Luke

 

Jacob Zitman and Ryan Blinn

Taking a break from a pick-up basketball game

Two adorable cuties

Julie and Dave Avery, proud parents of Andrew

Brianna Ball, long-time on-ice volunteer and Kyle Bolton

Kyle Johnson and his coach, Adam White

Kyle Bolton and his coach, Steve Cole

Kawartha Komets Compete in Special Olympics Basketball

The Adam Scott Lions Special Olympics basketball team placed fifth at the Special Olympics Provincial School Games at Brock University in St. Catharines earlier this month.

Adam Scott was the only basketball team from Peterborough that was completely made up of Special Olympians.They were also the only team to earn the right to be in the first division.

"The students represented Adam Scott perfectly and had an amazing time," said co-coach Karen Stewart. "The event was a fun-filled and competitive three days."

Two of our Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program athletes played for the Adam Scott team.  Spencer Knapton-Oakes, back row right and Tyson Ham, on Spencer's right, are Komets hockey players, Spencer with the Phoenix and Tyson with the Saturns!

CONGRATULATIONS to these excellent athletes!

DREAMPLAYERS TONIGHT - June 10th @ 7:00 P.M.

Friends:

Before I founded the Komets program my granddaughter Victoria and I volunteered with a drama group called Dreamplayers in Peterborough. This group was founded to provide those individuals who are differently abled an opportunity to express themselves through music and drama. 

Tonight (June 10th) at 7:00 p.m at Adam Scott Collegiate, “The Dreamplayers” will be putting on their big show as they always do at the end of their season of fun, making new friends and drama. The good kind of drama!!

For those of you who do not know about Dreamplayers it is a group of performing artists who love to showcase what they have learned throughout the course of the year. Many of them have had to overcome their fears of performing in front of others and I am always impressed by the way they encourage and care for one another. They are an amazing group of adults who love what they do. I cannot say enough about the wonderful volunteers who make this show happen. Thank you to all of you.

Admission is $10. and tickets are available at the door and I promise you it is worth it. You will come away feeling blessed at having been able to experience what I have experienced in the past.

You will be entertained by the one and only Shane Marshall who just may steal the show. I am not sure if there are any other Kawartha Komets players with the troupe this year but if there are please forgive me if I have not mentioned your name in this email. You too have the option to steal the show.

Toronto has Famous People Players and Peterborough has Dreamplayers!!

I hope to see you there.

Take it away Dreamplayers!!!

Carol.

Kawartha Komets Awarded a Grant

On Tuesday, June 6th, Carol and I, on behalf of the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program, were recipients of a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough. (That's me in the middle of the back row...beside my friend Casey Watson from the One Roof Community Centre giving a fist pump).

Another friend, Christian Brian Alexander Harvey from the Warming Room (front left) received a grant. We were asked by Peterborough Examiner photographer Clifford Skarstedt Jr. to make a happy face to show our excitement at being awarded a grant. 

The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough awards grants annually to registered charities in our city that strive to make our community a better place. 

THANK YOU to the Foundation for considering the Kawartha Komets to be a very worthwhile cause. Our grant was from the Moustache Fund in memory of the late John Martyn who had a real interest in providing music and hockey for young people in our community!

Kawartha Komets Family Looking For HOME FOR RENT

URGENTLY NEEDED: HOUSE FOR RENT - BY MAY 31ST! 

One of our Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program families needs to find a 3 or 4 bedroom house with a basement for rent in Peterborough by the end of May.

This family with two adult children living at home is able to pay a maxiumum of $1,700 inclusive (heat and hydro included) or $1,500 plus heat and hydro.

The home where this family has resided for a long time has been sold and they must find another place to live. 

Please call David & Carol Fisher @ (705) 868-8825 (cell). 

Thank you for your help in finding accommodation for this family!

Kawartha Komets Honoured at Special Olympics Awards Night

The Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program was well represented recently at the Special Olympics AGM and Awards Night! Jesse Campbell, a longtime Komets player received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his involvement in many different Special Olympic sports over the years. 

Board member, Robert Krueger, volunteer Andrew Snead and longtime player Brandon Vansickle received due recognition for providing the music and lighting at the monthly Special Olympic dances. Robert, Andrew and Brandon are the owners of Bar None DL Services.

Paul Brioux received the Volunteer of the Year Award for his involvement in fund raising and leadership in several sports. Paul is the grandfather of another longtime Komets player Mike Brioux who was also honoured for his bowling achievements. 

Komets veteran Ryan Blinn was recognized for winning a silver medal in floor hockey at the Special Olympics World Championships in Austria earlier this year. Matthew Ludlow, another Komet, was honoured as well.

A great evening for a worthy cause...Special Olympics...with many of the Kawartha Komets being honoured.

Brandon Vansickle., Mike Brioux, Crystal Cochrane and Jesse Campbell

Andrew Snead, Robert Krueger, Brandon Vansickle and Jim Gibson

Ryan Blinn with an earlier medal he won

Jesse Campbell (middle) and Jim Gibson

Steve Cole, Jesse's Komets coach and Jesse Campbell

Sweet Bottoms Cafe and the Kawartha Komets

Back in early February the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program received the proceeds from the Inaugural Snowshoe Race in Fenelon Falls sponsored by Snowshoe Kawartha. The owner of Sweet Bottoms Cafe in Fenelon Falls wanted to support a cause that was "making a difference". Three Komets players hailed from Fenelon Falls and Wayne Jolly, owner of Sweet Bottoms. and David Robinson from Snowshoe Canada chose the Kawartha Komets.

The Komets are very grateful that they chose us and we appreciated the generous donation that came to our special needs hockey program.

Please drop in to Sweet Bottoms Cafe when you're in Fenelon Falls and tell others about this little gem. The best coffee around!

THANK YOU, Wayne Jolly and David Robinson!

Kawartha Komets player Brenden Hnatiak won 1st place in his division.

Check out the Sweet Bottoms web site by clicking here!

A Great Day for the Kawartha Komets

Michael Johnston of the Kawartha Komets

 It's a very good day when the Kawartha Komets play six (6) games in the Special Hockey International (SHI) Tournament, 75 of our Komets "family" attend the Peterborough Petes game to watch them clinch 1st place in the OHL's Eastern Conference, my incredibly talented cousin Washboard Hank sings the national anthem and a Kawartha Komets jersey is displayed in the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame. 

The plaque reads, "The Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program...where every player is a Hall of Famer!"

Great day with some incredible athletes from Ontario, the U. S., England and Sweden! 

Lots more action tomorrow!

Komets GALAXY Faced Off Against Electric City Intermediates

The Kawartha Komets GALAXY Intermediates hosted the Electric City Maroon & White Intermediates at the Evinrude Centre in their first-ever game on Saturday, February  25th.

The Komets SATURNS (Juniors) had hosted the Electric City Juniors earlier this year.

Check out the Electric City web site link here for a photo gallery of the February 25th game.

The atmosphere was "electric" and the Komets were BLAZING!

Kawartha Komets Preparing to BLAZE at the SHI Tournament

If you've never experienced what "special needs hockey" is all about, you will have many opportunities during the Special Hockey International (SHI) Tournament to be hosted here in Peterborough during the March break...March 15th - 18th. We have included the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program's schedule below. Come on out and experience "The Heart League" where the smiles on the players' faces are very evident and dreams come true for these incredible athletes. Many thanks to Dave Smith and his team of volunteers who have worked hard to make this tournament happen!

KAWARTHA KOMETS SHI TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Wednesday, March 15th – Saturday, March 18th, 2017

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15th:


OPENING CEREMONIES – We will let you know the time for this.
COACHES GAMES – We will let you know the times for these games.

THURSDAY, MARCH 16th: 

9:00 a.m. – PHOENIX vs. SPICE JETS - EVINRUDE – Atom
1:00 p.m. – METEORS vs. BARRIE COLTS - EVINRUDE – Atom
2:00 p.m. – SATURNS vs. CAPITAL CITY CONDORS - MEMORIAL CENTRE
2:15 p.m. – GALAXY vs. NORTH YORK GLADIATORS - EVINRUDE – IGA
4:00 p.m. – PHOENIX vs. NEWMARKET NIGHTHAWKS - MEMORIAL CENTRE
4:15 p.m. – METEORS vs. DURHAM DRAGONS - EVINRUDE – IGA

FRIDAY, MARCH 17th:

10:00 a.m. – PHOENIX vs. MISSISSAUGA CRUSADERS - EVINRUDE – Atom
12:15 p.m. – GALAXY vs. DURHAM DRAGONS - KINSMEN – PGHA
2:00 p.m. – PHOENIX vs. INNISFIL SNOWDOGS - EVINRUDE – Atom
2:15 p.m. – SATURNS vs. ELECTRIC CITY MAROON & WHITE - EVINRUDE – IGA
3:00 p.m. – GALAXY vs. WEREWOLVES of LONDON - KINSMEN – PCCHL
5:00 p.m. – METEORS vs. NOVA COOL CATS - KINSMEN – PCCHL

SATURDAY, MARCH 18th:

12:15 p.m. – SATURNS vs. INNISFIL SNOWDOGS - EVINRUDE – IGA
1:00 p.m. – GALAXY vs. CAPITAL CITY CONDORS - MEMORIAL CENTRE
4:00 p.m. – METEORS vs, DONALDSON’S DIAMONDS - EVINRUDE – Atom
4:l5 p.m. – SATURNS vs. ORANGEVILLE WOLVES - EVINRUDE – IGA

6:00 p.m. – BANQUET at the LOOMEX HANGAR at the Peterborough Airport

NOTE: The PHOENIX is the Kawartha Komets Senior team, the METEORS and the GALAXY are our Intermediate teams and the SATURNS is our Junior team.

Kawartha Komets Participated in the KIP Friendship Tournament

For the 2nd year in a row the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program was one of the sponsors of the KIP Friendship Tournament in Kitchener, ON.  This event, hosted by the Kitchener Ice Pirates, involved nine (9) special needs hockey organizations.

The event was so successful in 2016 that Kirsten Carr and her committee decided to host the event again.

The tournament ran for two days, Saturday, February 18th and Sunday, February 19th with each team playing three games.

All four Kawartha Komets, the Saturns, the Galaxy, the Meteors and the Phoenix teams participated.  If Kirsten and the Kitchener Ice Pirates decide to plan this event again next year the Komets will be BLAZING again!

Many thanks to everyone who made this tournament a success.  The proceeds from our Game Night Sponsorship at the Petes game on December 29th and from the Komets game against the Peterborough Petes on January 22nd helped to send close to 60 of our 66 players to Kitchener.  Many thanks to Mike Powell and the Canadian Tire Pit Stop for your very generous corporate donation.

The players had a great time and that's what counts!

BLAZE KOMETS, BLAZE!

Updated Times for February 12th Games vs. Durham Dragons

Please note that the times for the Kawartha Komets' February 12th games against the Durham Dragons have been updated.

Please CLICK HERE to view the updated schedule.

THANK YOU!

Landmark Event for Special Needs Hockey in Peterborough

The two special needs hockey teams in Peterborough got together in a friendly game on Saturday, January 28th at the Evinrude Centre.  The Kawartha Komets Saturns (Juniors) invited the Electric City Maroon & White Juniors to face off against them in their first-ever meeting!  The Komets Saturns' scheduled opposition had to cancel and the Komets felt it was a no-brainer to invite the Electric City team...the former Peterborough Huskies.

The  landmark event was well covered by local media. Please click on the links below for media coverage of the game.

The Komets were blazing and the Electric City team were electrifying.  The game ended in a 6-6 tie...the perfect score for a special needs hockey team.

A great day for special needs hockey!!!

Click here for CHEX TV's coverage...by Jesse Thomas!

Click here for Mike Davies' article in the Peterborough Examiner.

Click here for the Electric City web site.  Check out the photo gallery with over 200 photos of the event.

Click here for PTBO Canada's coverage of the game. 

Be sure to attend some of the exciting games during the Special Hockey International (SHI) Tournament being held here in Peterborough during March break - March 15th - 18th.  

Kawartha Komets LATEST Schedule

Please click here for the updated Kawartha Komets schedule as of February 1st, 2017.

The Komets are BLAZING!

Snap'd Peterborough's Coverage of Komets/Petes Game

Many thanks to Cynthia Sager from Snap'd Peterborough for your support of the Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program and your coverage of our fundraiser with the Peterborough Petes.  

Click here for article and photos.

The Komets were BLAZING!!!

Komets/Petes Game a HUGE Success

Ryan Blinn and Quinten Over fight for the puck with Zach Gallant

The Jack McGee Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program held their 5^th Annual Fundraising Game with the Peterborough Petes on Sunday afternoon at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Each of the four (4) Komets teams, the Saturns, the Galaxy, the Meteors and the Phoenix played a 20-25 minute game before several hundred fans.  The Petes players were still celebrating after their 5-3 come-from-behind win against the North Bay Battalion on Saturday night.  Prior to the game Steve Lorentz commented on how much this game means to his Petes teammates, “We know how much the Komets all love it, as do our players and all the fans in attendance. Can't wait!”

Several penalties were called on Petes players for minor infractions such as “looking too good” and “playing with a chin strap undone”.  Those penalties resulted in penalty shots for the Komets players.

The Komets had set a goal of $6,000 for this fundraiser and with what was taken in at the game and pledges still to come, that goal was more than achieved.  Many thanks to those in our community who made generous donations to the Komets.

All proceeds from the game will go to help send the Kawartha Komets players to two tournaments…the KIP Friendship Tournament in Kitchener on Family Day Weekend in February and the Special Hockey International (SHI) Tournament here in Peterborough during March break, March 15^th-18^th.

The Kawartha Komets are in their 8^th season of play with four (4) teams and 65 players.  They are a registered charitable organization with the Canada Revenue Agency.

Komets Named Charity of Choice for Snowshoe Kawartha's Race

The Kawartha Komets Special Needs Hockey Program has been named as the charity to receive the proceeds from Snowshoe Kawartha’s Inaugural Snowshoe Race to be held at Garnet Graham Park in Fenelon Falls on Sunday, February 5^th beginning at 10:00 a.m.

NOTE:  Anyone in our Kawartha Komets organization is encouraged to participate in the races but we especially want to be represented there by a number of our families and players proudly wearing their Komets jerseys.  Three of our Komets families live in Fenelon Falls.  The Smiths (Steve is a coach and Aidan plays for the Saturns), the Engelstads (Jeremy plays for the Saturns) and the Hnatiaks (Brenden also plays for the Saturns).

The organizers are also looking for volunteers.  If you would like to help out in this way, please contact Wayne Jolly, the Race Director, at sweetbottoms2010@gmail.com

For more details, click here! 

Click here for even more information regarding the event:

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to be involved with the Kawartha Komets and we look forward to making a significant donation to their program.”, stated Wayne Jolly, Race Director.

Looks like a lot of fun!  Let’s show up and show our appreciation!