Stouffville Spirit players visited the Stouffville OSPCA Animal Centre Wedneday in advance of the team’s OSPCA home game Jan. 15.

The Stouffville Spirit rounded out its coaching staff this week.

Head coach TJ Hill welcomed assistant coach Tyler Turcotte to the squad 

The 34-year-old from Bowmanville was head coach of the Oshawa Generals AAA U18 team the past two years. He played in the OJHL for Cobourg, Oakville, Lindsay, Orangeville and Aurora then spent five seasons with the University of Toronto Blues.

Turcotte is now running the defence, while Rob Ascenzi is in charge of the forwards.

The Spirit won its final three games of 2022 to move into seventh place in the North-West Conference of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Already ahead of the Markham Royals, the Spirit (13-16-1-4) would like nothing better than to challenge another York Region rival, the Aurora Tigers, for sixth spot and improved playoff positioning.

YOU’RE AN ALL-STAR!

Five Spirit players were selected to play in the OJHL’s All-Star Celebration in Collingwood Jan. 14. 

Captain Odaro Ewere will represent Stouffville in the nationally-televised (CHCH) all-star game at 3 p.m. as well as the Skills Competition Jan. 13.

Four 17-year-olds – Stouffville’s own Ryan Harvey plus Zack Corte, Zach Benayon and Nicolas Morvan – will play in the InStat Prospects Game at 7:30 p.m.

THE SKED

Stouffville at Collingwood, Friday, Jan. 6 - 7 p.m.

Brantford at Stouffville, Saturday, Jan. 7 - 7:30 p.m.

Stouffville at Cobourg, Wednesday, Jan. 11 - 7 p.m.

Georgetown at Stouffville, Sunday, Jan. 15 - 2:30 p.m.

NOTEBOOK

Look for the Spirit’s campaign, in conjunction with Stouffville’s OSPCA Animal Centre, this month on social media. OSPCA officials will greet fans at the Jan. 15 home game. All 50/50 proceeds that afternoon will benefit the animals at the Woodbine Avenue centre.

Spirit players took part in the 2022 Stouffville Santa Claus Parade and volunteered at the Terry Fox Run, the Lions Club Coats for Kids and Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign last fall. 

TRANSACTIONS

Forward Michael Derbidge signed with Drummondville of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League after being released by the Spirit. He played for Sudbury in the Ontario Hockey League last season

Spirit This Week is sponsored by Farmer Jack’s in Stouffville and Sharon