Kent Helps and
Dave Connors
In Petrolia at a
gathering
amongst family,
friends and
players Kent
Helps announced
that he is
stepping down as
President of the
Petrolia Squires
Hockey Club
after 25 years
of service.
Helps announced
that he will
take on the role
as GM until the
end of the
2014-15 season.
"After the
season is over
the GM job will
be done. Helps
said "I am not
quitting or
giving up on the
team by no
means, I will be
back to help out
in other
capacities."
The Squires is
one of Canada's
oldest hockey
teams and have
won the National
Championship
title "The Allen
Cup" twice
in 1979 and
1981.
In 2001 Sarnia
was host to the
Allen Cup
Championships
and went to the
final where they
lost to the
Lloydminster
Border Kings.
"That was one of
my favourite
moments going to
the Allen Cup
finals at home."
Helps said.
One of the
concerns Helps
has is the
continuation of
the team.
"We need new
blood, new
ideas, new
fundraiser, new
financial
support wherever
we can get it
because without
that this club
cannot
continue."
And the new
blood has begun
with the
announcement of
the Club's New
President Dave
Connors.
The 42 year old
Petrolia Native
and the towns
Deputy Fire
Chief has
been helping the
Squires out for
the last year.
"I have big
shoes to fill,"
Connors
admitted.
But they have
been grooming me
for this
position."
Connors has
never played for
the Squires but
has been a fan
of the team. "I
think I can
bring to the
table fresh
ideas and secure
major sponsors."
Connor with the
help of his wife
and two
daughters have
already brought
some new ideas
this past season
with the
creation of the
teams Facebook
and Twitter
pages.
The Squires has
a strong
volunteer base
but more help is
needed to keep
the team going
and Connors
invites anyone
who is
interested to
come forward.
The Squires are
currently in
playoffs against
and are down 1 -
0 in the best of
seven against
Tavistock.
They play this
Friday and
Sunday at home
with both games
beginning at
8:00 pm.
The team has a
mix of ages with
a a lot of
familiar faces
on the team that
include former
Jr. B & C
players.