Rockets’ All-Stars
The North Dundas Rockets sent five players and a coach to the NCJHL All-Star Game in Metcalfe on Fri., Feb. 14 at the Larry Robinson Arena to represent the West Division. Representing the Rockets were Reilly Tondreau (coach), defenseman, Cameron Brown, forwards Justin Lefebvre, Nicholas Carroll and Joel Hunt and goalie, Anthony Kerwin. The Rockets represented very well with all three players picking up points and Kerwin shut out the East Division All-Stars in the third period helping the West to a 7-3 victory. Moore photo

METCALFE—The NCJHL All-Star Game was back, to much fanfare on Fri., Feb. 14 at the Larry Robinson Arena in Metcalfe. After a two-year hiatus, the all-star game created much excitement along with the NCJHL regular season awards. 

The event was emceed by the one and only hockey trivia buff, Liam Maguire and was organized by the Metcalfe Jets’ general manager, Jason Hudson. There were more than 200 spectators on hand to witness a fast paced game. 

The West Division was represented by players and staff from the North Dundas Rockets, South Grenville Rangers, the Metcalfe Jets, the West Carleton Inferno and the Morrisburg Lions, while the East Division was represented by teams from the Vankleek Hill Cougars, the St. Isidore Eagles, the Clarence Castors, the Bytown Royals and the Gatineau Hull-Volant.

NCJHL regular season awards

The NCJHL awards were handed out prior to the puck drop at the 2020 All-Star Game. The 2019-2020 regular season award winners were: Regular season MVP and Scoring Champion – Justin Lefebvre from the Rockets, Rookie of the Year – Jacob Servant from the Castors, Executive of the Year – Lucas Stitt from the Rangers, Best Defenseman – Keenan McEachern from the Cougars, Goaltender of the Year – Sam Limoges-Ring from the Rangers, Bedard Family Award (volunteer of the year) Andrew Hazard from the Castors, Best Defensive Forward – Nicolas Castonguay from the Cougars, Coach of the Year – Ron Harrison of the Rangers, Most Improved Player – Brayden Forestell of the Rangers and Most Sportsmanlike – Joel Hunt of the Rockets. There were also two banners handed out to the East and West Division Regular Season Champions – the Rangers (West) and the Cougars (East) and the Best Defensive Team was the South Grenville Rangers.

West 7 East 3

The West Division hosted the East Division for the NCJHL All-Star Game in the main event of the evening. The East scored the lone goal of the first period as Jacob Servant (Castors) scored from Jakob Brunette (Eagles) just 59 seconds into the game. 

The East took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission. The East made it 2-0 when Nicolas Gaumond (Castors) scored from Danny Plourde-Grenon at 3:40 of the second period but the West finally got on the score sheet at 4:43 as Chris Martin (Jets) roofed one from Jared Fenlong (Rangers). 

The East retook a two-goal lead when Samuel Lemay (Cougars) scored from Plourde-Grenon at 6:05. The West got back to within one as Justice Brownlee (Lions) snapped one home from Justin Lefebvre (Rockets) and Joel Hunt (Rockets) at the 16-minute mark. 

The West evened the score when Jordan Dodge (Rangers) rifled one to the back of the net from Cameron Brown (Rockets) and Fenlong at 17:47. The teams took a three-all draw into the second intermission. 

The West took their first lead of the game when Brown blasted one home from the blue line from Brownlee and Mark Brosseau (Jets) at 2:53 of the third period. The West made it 5-3 when Dodge scored his second of the game from Brody Ranger (Rangers) and Kayne McCadden (Lions) at 4:27. 

With time winding down in regulation, the East pulled their goalie in favour of an extra attacker but that didn’t go as planned as Joel Hunt (Rockets) found the yawning cage from Lefebvre and Nicholas Carroll (Rockets) with just 52 seconds remaining to make it 6-3. 

The West added another late goal with just 18 seconds remaining as Hunt scored his second of the game from Hunt and Carroll closing out the All-Star Game with a 7-3 victory. The West outshot the East 42-26. Sharing the win in the West’s goal were Anthony Kerwin (Rockets), Nathan Cheung (Inferno), Sam Limoges-Ring (Rangers) and Xavier Dusablon (Rangers).