QUEEN’S PARK – Today in the Ontario Legislature, Bill Mauro, the MPP for Thunder Bay Atikokan shared the news of the Thunder Bay Sportop Queens and their win of the Midget Canadian Hockey Championship.
Here is the transcript of Mr. Mauro’s Member’s Statement:
Mr. Bill Mauro: Last week in Regina, Canadian minor hockey history was made when the Thunder Bay Sportop Queens won the midget girls Canadian championship with a 4-3 win over the Notre Dame Hounds. Kaitlyn Tougas scored the winning goal in the third period.
With this victory by the Queens, Thunder Bay becomes the first city in Canada to win a national midget championship in both the female and male groups. The Queens advanced to the AA Esso Cup national championship in Regina by going undefeated 6-0 at the Ontario championships.
I offer my congratulations to Brianna Iazzolino; Courtney Tougas; Jana Henry; Michela Cava; Kaitlyn Tougas; Michaela Coulter; Ellia Heroux; Kaitlyn Quarrel; Riley Cronk; Amber Butler; Savanna Gamache; Taylor Savard; Brittany Zuback; Kylie Cornell; Haleigh Croves; Amanda Makela; and Megan Leikkari. I also congratulate manager/trainer Crystal Tustian; trainer Melissa Parenteau; goalie coach Lui Tassone; conditioning coach Steve Bailot; and assistant coach Randy LaPointe.
A special congratulations to the dynamic father-son coaching tandem, old friends of mine Denis and his son Danny Lavoie.
Overall, the Queens, sponsored by owner Gary Littlefield of Sportop, went a very impressive 13-1 in their playoff games, and this outstanding group of 15-to-17-year-olds went 34-5-1 in tournament action.
Thunder Bay’s incredible hockey history has been further enriched by the efforts of all involved. Congratulations to the parents, to the coaches, to the players and to the sponsors.