Star-studded affair for peewee Knights Silver Stick celebration

April 6, 2016 · 0 Comments

Karl Subban, Knights captain Anthony Macedo, Silver Stick Director Chantal Levesque, minor Knights Owen Featherstone and Jack O’Neill, Knights assistant captain Michael Termini, Silver Stick Director Paola Visentin, Mayor Steve Pellegrini, Knights assistant captain Ryan Dimitroff.

By Jake Courtepatte
Back in January, the peewee NobleKing Knights accomplished a feat only two other teams had in the organization’s history: win the International Silver Stick tournament.
The magnitude of the championship was evident at last Wednesday’s banner-raising ceremony, with the community and others congratulating the team at Dr. William Laceby Arena.
Among them were some of hockey’s biggest stars, both on and off the ice.
Karl Subban, father to NHLers PK, Malcolm, and Jordan Subban, was on hand to share some choice words with the champion minors.
“I have three things I want to share with the players, that I share with my three boys,” said Subban. “Don’t forget to have fun. Win or lose, find a way to have fun. The second thing is, don’t forget to say thank you, to the organization, the volunteers, and your parents. The third thing, don’t forget about your potential. It’s what gives you the ability to achieve what you’ve achieved.”
The list of achievements is a long one. In May, the team won an OMHA Hometown Hockey Award of Excellence for preparing and serving dinner to 50 residents at Peel Youth Village. They went on to win the prestigious Lake Placid Challenge Cup in October, followed by the Bob Merkley Midland Silver Stick Regional Qualifier in December. In January, they were finalists in the home town NobleKing Challenge Cup, before capturing the Silver Stick International Championship in Port Huron.
They narrowly missed out on adding an OMHA championship to the trophy case, downed by Grimsby in the final series.
Mayor Steve Pellegrini was one of those impressed by the team’s accomplishments.
“I have two peewee players so I know,” said Pellegrini. “They’re from Schomberg, but it’s incredible. It’s quite the feat.”
The main act of the evening’s festivities was a bout of nostalgia, with the Knights facing off in a friendly game with members of the 1988 King City Atom squad, the last area team to claim the Silver Stick title. The peewee Knights came out on top, defeating the alumni 4-3 with goals from Christopher Petrungaro, Anthony Macedo, Michael Termini, and Cameron Robinson.
TSN analyst and ex-Maple Leaf Jeff O’Neill was one of those behind the bench for the 1988 team, and signed autographs with Subban after the game. Following the game at a reception, the team was surprised by coach Rob De Rose with congratulatory video messages from both PK Subban, an NHL All-Star with the Montreal Canadiens, and Alex Pietrangelo, a King City native with the St. Louis Blues. Ex-Leaf Gary Roberts also sent a congratulatory email to the team.
Subban and O’Neill then presented De Rose with the NobleKing Minor Hockey Rep Coach of the Year Award.
The Knights would like to thank the many sponsors for the event: NobleKing Minor Hockey, The Music Company, Nobleton Lions Club, King City Wild Wings, Mario’s Bake Shop, Cappuccino Bakery, Alloro Fine Foods, Nobleton Tim Hortons, John’s No Frills, Nobleton and King City Arena Snack Bars, Party Couture, Danny & Lucia Macedo of Royal LePage, MFM Design & Print, Pro-Drain Construction Ltd., Cobra Float Service Inc., and Selba Kitchens & Baths.