AURORA MINOR HOCKEY TO HOST THE U13AA OHF CHAMPIONSHIP PG.4 BARBS RUGBY CLUB HOST TO THE CANADA MEN 7’S NATIONAL CAMP FOR ATHLETES PG.14
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AURORA MINOR HOCKEY TO HOST THE U13AA
OHF CHAMPIONSHIP
\\\ Story by Corby Saltzman, President, Aurora Minor Hockey Association
\\\ Photos Courtesy of Ice Photos Studios and the Aurora Minor Hockey Association
An OHF Championship in minor hockey is the pinnacle of competition—a stage as revered as the Stanley Cup is to the NHL.
This April, Aurora Minor Hockey proudly hosts this prestigious event for the U13AA division, after securing the honor with a standout bid in September.
The best teams from across Ontario will converge in Aurora April 18-20th for an unforgettable weekend of champion vs. champion hockey. Adding to the excitement, Aurora’s own U13AA team earns a spot as host, giving our town even more reason to rally behind this extraordinary showcase of skill, passion, and determination.
But the tournament is only part of the story. We’re transforming the weekend into a festival of hockey and community.
A pre-championship team event for the players will bring teams together, fostering camaraderie before the competition begins. Vendor displays, interactive stations, and “Championship Central” will ensure there’s excitement at every turn. Every player will leave with unforgettable memories, exclusive swag bags, and perhaps a chance to meet some surprise guests.
For fans who can’t make it in person, livestreamed games will capture every heartstopping moment.
This is more than a tournament; it’s an experience, a celebration, and a chance to make lifelong memories. Join us in Aurora this April and be part of something truly special. The road to the OHF Championship ends here and we invite every hockey fandon’t miss it!
January/February 2025
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1
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Insport Media & Publications Inc.
EDITOR
Ron Weese – Sport Aurora E-mail editor@sportinaurora.com
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ART DIRECTOR | GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Christian Baird
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EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTION
Sport Aurora Members Ron Weese
Aurora Barbarians Rugby Football Club
Elizabeth Keith Zach Lawton
Neil Moore Corby Saltzman
Jim Stewart Kim Silcox
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SPORT IS CELEBRATED IN 2025
he first issue of Sport in Aurora Magazine in 2025 has a variety of local amateur sport stories that I hope you enjoy.
Our feature article gets the cover position, and we thank our photographic colleague, Glenn Rodger for the cover shot of the ‘friendly’ game where the Central York Girls Hockey Association U-22 Panthers hosted Team China. Read the story on page 8 with thanks to Jim Stewart of ‘The Auroran’.
On the boy’s side of hockey, the Aurora Minor Hockey Association (AMHA) announced that they will be hosting the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) U13AA Championships in Aurora this spring. Read about it on page 4 and mark your calendars in April to attend the best hockey at the U13AA level in Ontario.
CDS’ brothers, Everett and Leyton Smith, are two young multi-sport athletes who are Aurora residents. Read about them on pages 6 and 7.
For the second year, St. Andrew’s College First basketball team were crowned champions at the Whitby Invitational Tournament. The story appears on page 12.
And with respect to ‘high-performance’, the Pickering College story on page 14 shows how their athletes are using sport science and collaboration to develop awareness of their sport specific strengths.
Our Aurora Barbs continue to lead the way in rugby with a National Identification Camp presented on page 11.
Finally, I can’t leave this issue without comment about the 20th Anniversary of Sport Aurora that appears on page 13. Sport Aurora is among the longeststanding Community Sport Councils in Ontario and continues to support the local sport membership and advocate for all sports in Aurora.
I hope you enjoy the stories and can get out to the rinks, pools and gyms to watch some impressive amateur sport.
Ron Weese Editor, Sport in Aurora Magazine
The Mission of Sport Aurora is to promote participation in sport and recreation for all citizens of the community we serve. For more information on Sport Aurora, visit our web site at: www.sportaurora.ca
Mental Health in Sport Series
AURORA BROTHERS TAKE SPORT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
\\\ Story by Zach Lawton, Country Day School \\\ Photos courtesy of Zach Lawton and Aidan Scholten
Leyton and Everett Smith are in Grade 10 and 12 at CDS
Leyton Smith ‘27 credits his CDS Golf Coach, Mr. Mejia, with improving his golf game last season.
The brothers have enjoyed playing on the same line this year with Everett as centre and Leyton on the wing.
Everett Smith ’25 and Leyton Smith ’27 are not only line mates on The Country Day School’s (CDS) Varsity Hockey team, they are also partners on the CDS Golf team—a unique experience they’ve both enjoyed over the past two years in high school.
Growing up in Aurora just two grades apart, they have always pushed each other to become better athletes and leaders. As CDS students, the brothers have competed on a wide variety of teams since Junior School, including soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, cross country, rugby, track, golf, hockey, and even the CDS fishing team. While they haven’t always played on the same teams, it’s on the hockey and golf teams where their brotherly bond has truly shone.
Both boys have been on skates since they could walk. “I remember playing on our backyard rink with my brother and dad, and Everett pushing me around the ice,” said Leyton. They quickly found their way into the Aurora Tigers hockey system, playing on rep teams as early as Tyke. Leyton still plays for the AA Aurora Tigers U16 team, which keeps him on the ice five to six times a week.
The two-year age gap meant they never played on the same hockey team—until Leyton entered Grade 9 and joined Everett on the CDS Boys’ Hockey team. “Playing with my brother is pretty fun; we have chemistry on the ice,” said Leyton. Everett agrees that it’s a special opportunity.
As team captain, Everett plays center, while Leyton is on the wing. When games don’t go as planned, they sometimes bring their frustrations home, prompting their parents to humorously joke about whether having them on the same line is entirely healthy. Still, the brothers never let their competitive spirits get in the way of their relationship.
Off the ice, Everett has started a Tuesday night hockey league in Aurora—a pick-up game with teammates from his former rep team. He saw an opportunity to bring together his former teammates, many of whom wanted to continue playing hockey at a recreational level with a competitive edge. “I love the sport so much that I just wanted to do as much as I can to give back to it,” Everett shared.
Their camaraderie extends from the ice to the golf course each spring, as both shift their focus to the CDS Golf team.
The brothers praise Mr. Mejia, the CDS Golf Coach and a near-scratch golfer, for helping them refine their golf skills and deepen their commitment to the game. “He’s that coach that every young athlete should have,” said Everett. “He views our mistakes as an opportunity to grow and learn.” Leyton added, “Mr. Mejia also coached me in soccer. He’s really helped me through my high school journey.”
Good luck on the rinks and the links this year, boys!
Everett Smith ‘25 has enjoyed playing on the CDS golf team with his younger brother Leyton.
Everett Smith is Captain of this year’s CDS Varsity Boys Hockey team.
Leyton Smith plays for both The Country Day School’s Varsity Hockey team and the AA Aurora Tigers U16 team.
CENTRAL YORK GIRLS HOCKEY ASSOCIATION PROVES THEIR INTERNATIONAL STATUS
\\\ Story by Jim Stewart, The Auroran and Ron Weese, Editor
\\\ Photos Courtesy of Sport Aurora and Glenn Roger Photography
Sunday, January 26th 2025 marked another milestone for the Town of Aurora and The Central York Girls Hockey Association. The U-22 Panthers hosted Team China at the Aurora Community Centre to a nearly packed crowd and the game did not disappoint anyone with the Panthers needing sudden death overtime to defeat their guests 2-1.
Team China has been on a Canadian tour for three weeks and Aurora was the last stop before they headed home. Their next stop was Japan for more ‘friendly’ activity in preparation for the 9th Asian Winter Games that will be hosted in Harbin, China on February 7-14th of this year.
This ‘friendly’ was sponsored by the Aurora Canadian Tire and was introduced when the People’s Republic of China national team skated on to the ice led by two Panther flag bearers. They were greeted with a warm round of applause from the estimated 850 in attendance. After the anthems were sung, Mayor Tom Mrakas, CYGHA President, Mark Dubeau, and MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy presided over the Ceremonial Faceoff. A pin exchange between Panther Captain Cheyenne Degeer and Team China Captain Barry Yu concluded the ceremonies and the two teams posed for a centre-ice photo to mark the historic occasion.
Team China is ranked 16th in the world and preparing for an IIHFsanctioned Olympic qualification tournament to be held February 6-9 in Tomakomai, Japan. The Chinese National Women’s team will compete with the host country, France, and Poland for a berth in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
The Consul General for the People’s Republic of China, Yanjun Wang, was on-hand for the match and was thankful for the opportunity to play in Canada and in Aurora. “This trip was planned to expose the players to the Canadian style of play and to prepare the Team for the 9th Asian Games in Harbin, China” he said.
“We know that Canada is a leader in the sport and that the women’s game in particular is world-class. Aurora has been an excellent experience for all and we are grateful for the hospitality and competition,” he concluded.
This game showed how established that the CYGHA is in the world of Women’s hockey. The Panthers U-22 team is made up of predominantly younger players, but they play with experience. The team is ranked 8th in the 25-team U22 Elite Ontario Women’s Hockey League. Many have played the game since their early years and that experience was evident when playing against a National Team.
Congratulations to the CYGHA, the U-22 Team and the Town of Aurora for putting on a truly International sports event.
Aurora Barbarians Rugby Football Club Plays Host to the Canada Men 7’s National Identification Camp for Ontario and Quebec Athletes
The Aurora Bar barians Rug by Foot ball Club played hos t to the Rug by C anada Men 7’s
to 24, 2 025 The C amp featured 2 0 player s f rom Ontario and Que bec in a bid for c arding for the 2 025 HSBC Challeng er Series this Marc h in South Af ric a and 2 event s in Poland The top four teams f rom the three event s will be invited to the HSBC 7’s in Los A ngles this May for a play-in tour nament to make the Cup Series for nex t season
The C amp includ ed the Bar b ’ s Junior Boy s
year Queens Univer sit y Stud ent and Senior Men’s Player, Kobe Faus t who is in his four th year at the Univer sit y of Guelph L as t week , Adam Doane the Bar b ’ s Men’s MVP at tend ed the Wes t C amp in L ang ford, B C Co - Presid ent and Senior Coac h, K halil Ajram,
was a g ues t coac h for the C amp and had this to say, “This is the third C amp we have hos ted in Aurora for Rug by C anada in the pas t t wo year s It ’ s g reat to be able to par tner with the Tow n and showc ase our world - clas s f acilities and provid e the player s/coac hes a g reat ex perience Also, we ’ re proud that we had three Bar b ’ s player s includ ed in the 4 0 player s who were invited in the C amp in Aurora and L ang ford The Club prid es it self in c reating r ug by player s for life, at all levels and g reat to have our coac hes the abilities to watc h a
The shif t for the Club now moves into the 2 025 Summer Season with regis tration, now opened To lear n more or regis ter, please visit: ww w.abr fc.c a /
SAC’S FIRST BASKETBALL TEAM DEFENDS WHITBY INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN THRILLING FASHION
St. Andrew’s College First Basketball team successfully defended their title at the Whitby Invitational Tournament, capping off a weekend of high-level competition with a thrilling victory in the finals. The Saints displayed a balanced approach throughout the tournament, combining disciplined defence, relentless rebounding, and unselfish offence to navigate a strong field of teams. Their victory in the championship game, a rematch against J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate, highlighted their ability to adapt under pressure and execute when it mattered most.
The Saints began their campaign with a solid win over Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School from Kingston. Regiopolis came out firing, capitalizing on early defensive lapses by the Saints, including uncontested shots from beyond the arc and drives to the rim. Despite these challenges, the Saints remained composed, responding with aggressive offensive drives and dominance on the boards.
Payton Flint led the charge with his relentless drives to the basket, while Marcellus YoungCasario, Jayden Leung, and Gabe Cabelli cleaned up on the offensive glass, converting second-chance opportunities into crucial points. Timely three-pointers from Rohan Trivedi and Brandon Yi helped the Saints open a comfortable lead, paving the way for a 74-55 victory in game one.
The Saints continued their dominant form in the next two round-robin games, defeating IE Weldon Secondary School 76-47 and Anderson CVI 57-38. Their victories were built on tough defence, quick transitions, and selfless play, with every member of the roster contributing. This team-oriented approach set
the stage for a championship rematch against JC Richardson, the same team the Saints defeated in last year’s final.
The championship game was a test of character for the Saints. JC Richardson started strong, hitting four three-pointers in the first quarter to take an early lead. St. Andrew’s countered with fast-break baskets, led by the energy of Flint and Leung, keeping the game within reach. However, Richardson’s defensive pressure caused turnovers in the second quarter, and the Saints trailed 45-32 at halftime.
Refusing to be rattled, the Saints regrouped during the break and emerged with renewed focus. Their defence tightened, cutting off driving lanes and forcing difficult shots. Cabelli and Young-Casario controlled the boards, with the latter dominating on the offensive end to secure key put backs and trips to the free-throw line. The Saints’ ball movement improved, creating open looks for shooters, including a crucial three-pointer from Yi that helped tie the game at 60 late in the fourth quarter.
In the game’s final moments, Ben Fitzpatrick delivered a clutch performance. The reigning tournament three-point shooting champion drained back-to-back triples, giving the Saints a six-point lead. Richardson’s attempt to mount a comeback was thwarted by Fitzpatrick’s composure at the free-throw line, as he sank three of four foul shots to seal a 75-66 victory.
The Saints’ championship run was a testament to their ability to play smart, work hard, and stay united. Their belief in their system propelled them to a second consecutive Whitby Invitational Tournament title.
\\\ Story and Photos courtesy of St. Andrew’s College.
SPORT AURORA MARKS 20 YEARS OF COMMUNITY IMPACT
Sport Aurora kicks off 2025 by celebrating 20 years of promoting sport, recreation, and community engagement. Since its founding as the Aurora Community Sport Council by six local sport organizations in June 2005, the organization has grown to include 44 members.
In co-operation with its membership, Sport Aurora has developed programs and services over the years to foster a ‘quality sport community.’ Guided by its mission, the organization focuses on increasing participation, enhancing the capacity of its members and the town to deliver sport, while encouraging collaboration among members for more efficient program delivery, and celebrating sporting achievements wherever they occur. Support, amounting to more than $1.4M, has come from grants and sponsorships from various businesses, groups, and agencies. This funding helped grow the organization and serve the sport and recreation community.
Sport Aurora created their ‘Pillar Programs’ over 20 years of community service, and has initiated and sustained many, including All Kids Can Play, All Sport/One Day for Youth and Girls, Breakfast of Champions, Sport Volunteer Recognition Lunch, Coach and Athlete-of-the-Year, and School Sport Athletes-of-the-Year. Sport Aurora founded the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame with an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant in 2013. And in 2016 created Activate Aurora, which helped make Aurora ‘Canada’s Most Active Community.’
As Sport Aurora reflects on two decades of service, its focus remains on building a healthier, more active community with its partners, sponsors and members. For more information on Sport Aurora’s programs and to learn how you can participate, visit www.sportaurora.ca or follow us on Facebook and Instagram to join the conversation!
NEW INITIATIVES AND UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE STUDENT ATHLETES
Athletes in Pickering College’s High-Performance Student Athlete (HPSA) program are benefiting from major program enhancements this year, thanks to a generous donation.
The funding allows for new initiatives to be introduced supporting the 22 athletes who participate in the program, across 18 different sports.
One of the initiatives is a partnership with the University of Toronto Sport and Human Performance Laboratory for a sport psychology workshop series.
“What are the needs of 18 different sports? They’re so different,” said Graham Birt, HPSA advisor. “But what they all have in common is sports psychology.”
Another partnership is with Sports Vision Toronto, which performed vision testing on the athletes in the fall.
“Vision is often an overlooked but really important part of performance,” Birt said.
After conducting several tests on each of the athletes, Sports Vision Toronto developed a training program for each of them to work on and improve.
In the spring, the HPSA students plan to visit Humber College to partner with their post-graduate Exercise Science and Lifestyle Management program.
Students will take a series of physical tests and compare their results to athletes their age in a similar sport. They will be able to learn strategies that could improve their overall performance.
The goal of these initiatives is for students to develop an increased awareness of their sport-specific strengths and areas for improvement, ultimately leading them to become better athletes.
“Very few athletes at this age would ordinarily have the opportunity to experience these types of programs, so we are grateful and proud that our students in the HPSA program will benefit from these new initiatives,” Birt said.
\\\ Story by Elizabeth Keith, Pickering College \\\ Photos Courtesy of Pickering College
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