Even though NHL hockey is locked out and doesn't appear like it will begin anytime soon, I want to assert that there is indeed still good live hockey to watch in your area.
I'm from Lorette, MB and although I live in Winnipeg now, I am still deeply connected to the hockey scene in Lorette. For the past several seasons, the two teams that I've been involved with have made tremendous strides. But before I get ahead of myself, some history is needed for this story.
In 2004, the Lorette Comets joined the Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League. It was abysmal. They did not win a game, going 0-24, but at least junior hockey was back in Lorette after years in hiatus. Flash forward to the 2008-09 season. I was in my second year on the team. We replaced our coach the season before and our team became competitive. Although we didn't get past the first round of the playoffs, the groundwork was laid out for the following year.
2009-10 was a big year for hockey in Lorette. Our junior team went 20-4 and for the first time in six years, Lorette had a high school hockey team. Laird Laluk, phys. ed. teacher from the local elementary school got the program running again and asked me to be the assistant coach. I gladly accepted. I actually played the last Scorpions game back in 2004 when the team folded. So to be apart of the rebirth of the club was exciting for me. We had a tough season but made progress throughout the year.
Back to the juniors. After eliminating the Mitchell Mohawks in 3 games, our Comets team looked for its second playoff series victory ever, taking on the always dangerous Grunthal Red Wings. In a wild series, we eventually eliminated the Wings in Game 6 in Grunthal. Off to the championship series against the Red River Mudbugs. We fell 2 games to 0 in the series but battled back winning games 3 and 4. Red River took Game 5 in Lorette and traveled home for Game 6. Leading 3-1 after two periods of play, our chances looked grim. Then with roughly 10 minutes left, my line of Eric Laurin and Paul Bissonette netted two goals in 20 seconds, tying the game at 3. Red River went ahead yet again and with the Championship just 74 seconds away, cue the heroics. Bissonettte was left all alone in front and he made no mistake, tying the game at 4 and sending it to overtime. Both goaltenders played on their heads in OT. After a scoreless first OT, both teams showed signs of fatigue in the second overtime period but with just under a minute left, Joey DeFoort managed to get one by the Mudbugs goaltender - forcing Game 7 the following night. It was truly a magical evening. Our goaltender Jordan Dreger made 56 saves that night and deserved full marks for his performance. We won Game 7 by a score of 5-1, claiming our first Championship in team history in front of a massive crowd in Ile-des-Chenes.
I was lucky enough to be captain of that championship team and I will cherish the memory of winning forever. Since then, the Comets have made it back to the Finals the past two seasons, but have fell just short. They lost in overtime in Game 7 against the Red Wings in 2011 and fell to the Steinbach Huskies in 5 games last year.
As for the Scorpions, I continued to coach with Laluk and our other assistant coach, Lionel Boulet for two more seasons. It didn't take long for the Scorpions to follow in the footsteps of the juniors, as we claimed the Winnipeg High School Hockey League championship last season at the MTS Iceplex - defeating the Shaftsbury Titans 2 games to 0.
As of this writing, the Lorette Scorpions are 4-0 and are poised to be another dominant team this year. The Comets are 1-0 and although they are young group, they have the potential to go places this season.
I'm now the assistant coach and President of the Comets organization - my first year as a coach and third season as the President. It's amazing what a few years can do for a hockey organization. Being part of a Championship team is something not too many people get to experience. That being said, having the opportunity to do it as a player in 2010 and as a coach in 2012 makes me feel blessed.
Check out the websites below for more info on both teams discussed above.
HTJHL
WHSHL
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