Rockets add Stitt
The North Dundas Rockets are proud to announce that Brad Stitt will be joining the team for this upcoming season. The 20-year-old forward began his competitive career with the Rideau St. Lawrence Kings Bantam AA, then to the Upper Canada Cyclones Bantam AAA; then he played Minor Midget AAA with the Ottawa Jr. 67’s and was drafted by the Carleton Place Canadians. Stitt played 40 games for the Perth Blue Wings of the former EOJHL in 2013-14. Then in 2014-15 he played 30 games with the Blue Wings but was traded to the Casselman Vikings where he won the John Shorey Cup. He then bounced around playing for the Simcoe Storm of the NDJCHL, the Brampton Jr. B 99ers and again for the Storm in 2016-17 and moved to the Dundas Blues both of the PJHL. Stitt will bring leadership and experience to the Rockets.      Moore file photo

Jeff Moore
Record Staff
WINCHESTER — The North Dundas Rockets opened their tryouts on Mon., Aug. 28, at the Joel Steele Community Centre in Winchester. According to Rockets’ GM Rob Sadler, they had 25-30 players turn out for the hour and a half session. The Rockets also had as many on their second day on Tues., Aug. 29. Sadler also pointed out that all the players were locals including from places like Finch and Kemptville as well as North Dundas. Sadler said, “The goal was to generate some local interest in our club, and we did.”

The exhibition schedule starts in Winchester at the Joel Steele Community Centre on Sat., Sept. 9, where the Rockets will host the South Grenville Rangers at the Joel Steele Community Centre. The puck drop is at 7:15 p.m.

The Rockets then welcome the Metcalfe Jets to the Joel Steele Community Centre on Sun., Sept. 10, at 2:15 p.m. The Rockets then hit the road for two games, on Tues., Sept. 12, first to the R. J. Kennedy Arena in Ottawa to take on the Blackburn Inferno at 7:30 p.m. The Rockets’ pre-season then wraps up in Prescott at the Leo Boivin Community Centre on Sat., Sept. 16, against the South Grenville Rangers.

Sadler went on to comment, “As a management group we are really looking forward to the exhibition schedule. I know from a General Manager point of view I am excited and nervous at the same time. There are a lot of hard decisions to make by the 16th involving some great local talent. With the turnout we have had regarding local players we are thrilled, but ultimately I can’t find a spot for everyone, even some that are deserving, which means there will be some heart-wrenching decisions to make that I certainly don’t take lightly.”

Sadler continued, “We would also like to announce that we have traded for the rights of local forward Brad Stitt from South Mountain. Brad played his minor hockey in North Dundas as a youth before finishing in midget with the Ottawa 67’s AAA team. Following minor hockey he was drafted by the Carleton Place Canadians of the CCHL, and proceed to play for the Perth Blue Wings and the Casselman Vikings of the CCHL2 where he won the league championship. Ultimately he ended up playing last year for the Dundas Blues in southern Ontario before coming home on a job placement this season. We are expecting Brad to have a positive impact on our team, and are looking forward to adding another local talent to the roster.”

Reminder: Once again the Rocket’s fundraising golf tournament will be held at Cedar Glen Golf Course, Sept. 16. Anyone interested can contact Sadler at 613-809-5771 or Kevin Byers at 613-223-0620.