A Word From Andre.....

Gentlemen, 2009 is well underway and we are pleased to bring you the Eighth Annual Great Canadian Classic. Just to remind you, Mike Cunningham, Phil D'Iorio, and me, André Nowakowski. (Matt Brown has officially been relegated to the E Pool, although he has now donned a life preserver and is muttering something about wanting to play if Cunny will have him back.) It is vital that you read this whole email, especially the "Deadline" information - we don't want anyone missing out.
The date this year of the tournament is Saturday, April 18, 2009. If you CANNOT play, please advise us ASAP as there is once again an extensive waiting list of guys looking to get into this year's tournament as usual.
Just to refresh your memory, on April 12, 2008, 96 skaters on 6 Canadian
teams laced up for the Seventh Annual - and you were all a part of it. As with the previous tournaments, there was some exciting hockey, culminating with Captain Bud Kelly and his Toronto squad taking their 4th Cup, most ever in the history of GCC. All of this, of course, was much to the chagrin to Captain Charlton who came as close as he could to assembling a championship squad. Now, it's time to do it again.
However, let's first note the passing of an era and the dawn of a new beginning. As you may be aware, the Seventh Annual GCC marked the last appearance for Messrs. Boswell, Carsley, Charlton, DePencier, Kelly, and Schieman in their roles as Captain. (Dramatic pause and deep breath, a little teary eyed.) They were great Captains but the time has come for the torch to be passed. This presents us with the only really relevant Question for this year: Who will the Convenors choose as the new Captains? Supplementary Question #1: Will those potential Captains, realizing the magnitude of the task, accept the role of Captain? Supplementary Question #2: Will the old Captains be able to resist meddling and putting their paw prints over this GCC somehow? These are all questions that need answering, but first, the getting there:

THE DETAILS
Here are some of the important details that you need to know about the tournament:
Date: April 18, 2009
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Ice Sports Etobicoke (Martingrove and 409) (Same arena)
Format: 6 teams, two pools (90 players)
Fee: $120.00 (Same fee as last year)
Fee includes:
- 3 games guaranteed - 2 round robin, 1 playoff (the Finalists will play 4)(Note: We will keep the modified game length from last year: 3x10 minute stop time periods. Also, we are looking at further modifications which we will disclose when Cunny feels like it.)
- Hockey Jerseys and Socks (Uniforms to be provided – let us know if you may still have any of these as some tend to wander each year)
- Referees and timekeepers
- Post-Tournament Banquet incl. 2 complimentary beers
- Prizes
- Transportation from the Rink to Scallywag's in the heart of Toronto after the tournament.

THE DEADLINE
First, payment MUST be made in full by the deadline - there are no deposits this year. Your FULL tournament fee of $120.00 is due no later than Friday, February 19, 2009, two weeks from the date of this email. Second, your payment can ONLY be sent or given to André Nowakowski. You can send your cheque to André at 73 Highbourne Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5P 2J3. You may also pay via http://www.certapay.com/ – a number of you have used it in the past and it is pretty seamless. Once your full tournament fee has been received, you will be guaranteed your spot in the tournament. If your full fee is not received by by February 19, 2009, your spot will be opened up to those on the waiting list (and there are many). NO exceptions. None of this is negotiable. We will NOT chase you down for the fee - the onus is on you.
As in the past, your tournament fee is NON-REFUNDABLE.
For our records, please respond ASAP via email if you will be playing this year. If you know that you for sure will NOT be able to play this year,
please advise us ASAP.
Once the deadline has passed, we will send a confirmation email to those
who have sent us their payments.
Remember, all emails relating to the tournament will now be sent from this email address: greatcanadianclassic@gmail.com.

THE RULES
Just a few brief rules:
- Full equipment
- Non-contact
- No centre line for offsides
- General rules of hockey

THE DRAFT
There is little doubt that the Draft in each of the previous years has been a tremendous success, so we're going to stick to the Draft method for selecting teams. So remember, when you sign up for this tournament, you are signing up as a player. Once we have received all the entries, team captains will be chosen and the captains will hold a silent draft to pick the teams. This has the obvious advantage of distributing talent evenly among the teams. Hopefully the draft will once again help create competitive teams while giving you a chance to play with some buddies you know and some you don't.

THE TEAMS
The Great White North theme will continue with the same teams as always: Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Once again, one pool will be the Wales Conference and the other will be the Campbell Conference. Tradition matters.

THE EVENING
Keeping with the old school theme, we will have a banquet again. The banquet will take place in the sports bar upstairs at the arena where we'll engage in the age-old transition game - switching from playing hockey to fuelling up with beer and food and performing comprehensive post-tournament hockey analysis. Scallywag's will be the destination for this year's post banquet festivities with the Cup.

THE CHARITY
We're very excited let you know that we will again be making a donation on behalf of the tournament to the "Let's Learn Hockey" programme run via the Ontario Minor Hockey Foundation via the Ontario Minor Hockey Association. You can find out more about this programme at http://www.hockeyfoundation.ca/ and http://www.omha.net/flash.asp?page_id=279.
In short, the programme helps out kids with financial difficulties get outfitted with hockey gear, subsidize their hockey registration for a season, and attend a one day training camp. After last year's tournament we were able to donate $1,750 to the programme. All in all, we think this is still a great fit and we hope you do as well.

THE FANS
It seems as though our fan base has increased each year. Feel free to invite significant others, kids etc. to come check out the action and make the day a family affair, at least until the sun goes down. Keep in mind, some may like to treat this as a "boys" day so advise your fans of the various antics that might be witnessed, in addition to the stellar hockey. Nonetheless, it will be great to grow that fan base.
That's it for now. We're looking forward to seeing you again on the ice at
the Eighth Annual Great Canadian Classic on April 18, 2009. Talk to you soon. The Convenors.

APRIL 18, 2009

The Great Canadian Classic will be held on April 18, 2009. Mark that down in your calendars and tell your wives that you're busy that day. More information will follow.

FOLLOW UP

Well, it only took over a week to get you the wrap up this year's Great Canadian Classic, but here it is. Thanks to all of you for making it another great day. The Captains once again did a great job drafting and leading teams in another close tournament. Congratulations go, for the fourth, and last, time to Captain Bud Kelly and his Toronto squad for winning the GCC. A special note of congratulations must also go to Captain Mark de Pencier and the Edmonton squad for putting up a great battle despite only having 9 skaters for the championship game. As mentioned in an earlier email, we will be having a full changing of the guard in terms of Captains for next year so we wanted to thank Captains Boswell, Carsley, Charlton, de Pencier, Kelly, and Schieman for great job they have done in making the GCC a great tournament every year with the right doses of competitiveness, fun, and yes, drama. The Search Committee will be working diligently over the summer in looking for the next slate of Captain candidates.

Thanks goes to the Stats Crew, notably Mike Doner and Matt Kindbom (with some help from Richard Harvey), who did a great job in a shorthanded situation as we normally have a crew of at least 4 guys for the whole day. Attached for your viewing pleasure are the stats from the day. Not surprisingly, the stats from the last game are a bit thin but we will try to fill the gaps for the historical records.

Thanks also to all the players who donated swag for the prize table.

Finally, the arena cannot yet commit to a date for the Eighth Annual Great Canadian Classic next year just yet so for now please hold April 11 and 18 and we will hopefully confirm with you in the fall.

Thanks again for making the GCC successful again. Please let us know if you have any suggestions about how to improve the tournament. Have a great summer. The Convenors.

Deep Thoughts, by Ian Charlton

How could I have appeared at Scallywag’s and listen to Bud wax fantastic on his Championship while not taking responsibility for doing what any real Captain would have done? Forfeited or at the very least tank the final and give the Championship to Sparks and his four man bench! I mean for God’s sake man have you know sense of what is right or just? To say nothing of what should have been a tournament misconduct for taking a dive, getting called on it and then not owning up. If the conveners (two of which witnessed the play and we’re on my club) had any stones Bud should have been sent home right then and there. No different then Schieman’s sentence for spearing of years gone by.


Truth is I was overcome with emotion about our semis and had to retire to my private bottle of tequila and monte cristos in the bowels of my garage….the resulting carnage was not pretty. Found naked, covered in spring clean-up leaves and garbage by my 7 year old……ohhh, the horror!


Bud – you owe me and the other Captains an apology. I cannot applaud or respect your 2008 Championship. It was not secured in the spirit of sportsmanship and as such I do not recognize its validity.


Nice.
Captain e

2008 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

SEVENTH Annual Great Canadian Classic Hockey Tournament

April 12, 2008


CAMPBELL CONFERENCE

CALGARY FLAMES
MONTREAL CANADIENS
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

WALES CONFERENCE

VANCOUVER CANUCKS
OTTAWA SENATORS
EDMONTON OILERS

Time Room Match-Ups Room

8:15 AM Room 1 Edmonton vs Vancouver Room 3
9:15 AM Room 2 Toronto vs Calgary Room 4
10:15 AM Room 1 Edmonton vs Ottawa Room 3
11:15 AM Room 4 Toronto vs Montreal Room 2
12:15 PM Room 3 Ottawa vs Vancouver Room 1
1:15 PM Room 2 Montreal vs Calgary Room 4
2:15 PM Room 1 Semi-Final A: Campbell 2nd vs Wales 1st Room 3
3:15 PM Room 2 Semi-Final B: Campbell 1st vs Wales 2nd Room 4
4:15 PM Room 1 Consolation : Campbell 3rd vs Wales 3rd Room 3
5:15 PM Room 2 Final: Winner Semi A vs Winner Semi B Room 4

TEAM LISTS

THE DRAFT WAS CONDUCTED ON FRIDAY, MARCH 29TH. THIS IS WHAT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR.....

TORONTO

Ciupka, Mike (G)
Arnold, Scott
Barnard, Chris
Fraser, Brad
Kennish, Ian
McAskile, Ryan
Plaxton, Derek
Reid, John
Ryan, Clint
Kelly,Chris (C)
Spidle, Geoff
Styka, Chris
Thomson, Scott
Walker, Chuck
Ward, Rich
White, Pete

MONTREAL

Kelly, Hayden (G)
Charlton,Ian (C)
Adams, Craig
Armstrong, Mike
Boriss, David
Borron, Randy
Foreman, Ken
Nowakowski, Andre
Cunningham, Mike
Gibson, Grant
Hawkins, Dan
Leschuk, Mike
McLean, Dennis
McPherson, Matt
Muller, Dave
Norris, Blair

EDMONTON

Dellanno, Joe (G)
Atkins, Mark
Dub, Paul
Gibson, Bryce
Gilday, Keith
Gilday, Neil
Keller, Sascha
Kernaghan, Ed
Larock, Dave
Munday, Rob
O'Regan, Paul
Potwin, Doug
Depencier,Mark (C)
Purdy, Jon
Purvis, Jaime
Toering, Dana

VANCOUVER

O'Hara, Finn (G)
Atkinson, Johnny
D'Iorio, Phil
Burkom, Jack
Champagne, Yvan
Elliott, Jeff
Feehely, Jamie
Iantorno, Rob
Mason, Dave
Sainsbury, Greg
Scilipoti, Anthony
Tony Schieman (C)
Stott, Aubrey
Tamblyn, Blair
Watkin, Rick
Wilson, Erik

OTTAWA

Gupta, Vik (G)
Bell, John
Bowen, Guy
Britt, Cam
Destunis, Peter
Ferlejowski, Andrew
May, Jeff
Mueller, Greg
Roland, Mike
Roland, Petey
Ryan, Steve
Boswell,Matt (C)
Sinclair, Adam
Sinclair, Charlie
Weeks, Greg
Wilson, Darcy

CALGARY

Mercier, Marc (G)
Blyskis, Paul
Davis, Tobin
Devine, Kevin
Ferguson, Ron
Foster, Martin
Carsley, Doug (C)
Kay, Ian
Larock, Gord
Machel, Craig
McIntosh, Ryan
Miller, Brad
O'Connor, Joe
Power, Pat
Shulman, Jamie
Wright, Coulter

Where is the Trash Talk?

The reminder email was sent out ages ago, the real email went out yesterday. There's one comment on the blog, something pathetic from Danny Hawkins. Come on fellas, let's get it going!