Hockey / #WeAreOHA - HAGERSVILLE HAWKS “THE HAWKS NEST”

#WeAreOHA - HAGERSVILLE HAWKS “THE HAWKS NEST”

Date:  Source: PJHL


#WeAreOHA - HAGERSVILLE HAWKS “THE HAWKS NEST”
By: Rebecca Petrocelli, Ryerson Sport Media
Photos: Hagersville Hawks - Facebook

There is no shortage of fans in the town of Hagersville when the hockey season comes around. “They know every player and come every Saturday to watch the game in their jerseys,” said general manager Todd Demille.

The Hagersville Hawks Junior C team has made the playoffs every year, except one, in the 26 seasons they’ve been part of the OHA. Despite bringing in three new coaches in December 2017, playoffs were always still in the Hawks’ season plans. 

After coming up short to the Dundas Blues in the first round this year, Hagersville will look to regroup this off-season in preparation for next year.  

“We’re definitely an underdog team,” Demille said. “This is the first year in 26 years that we have no overage kids; everyone is eligible to come back next year.” 

Hagersville Hawks

With so many players being eligible to return, the Hawks will be looking to build on the chemistry they created from this past season. 

Top scorers like Zach Carr and Ralph Taggart, blue liners Riley Pinkney and Harrison Larochelle, and countless other members of the 2017-18 squad will be a crucial part of what Hagersville plans to do next season. 

“They [the players] bought into what he wanted to do,” said Demille.

Todd Demille is no stranger to the Hagersville Hawks community. He was part of the Hawks’ first four seasons and his father was one of the founders of the organization. 

Since then, Demille has been part of the Hagersville Hawks hockey club as general manager of the Hawks PJHL Team and coaches the Bantam Minor Hockey Team.

Coached by Demille, the Hawks have a great youth program. “We want to develop them in minor hockey and in hopes they will play junior hockey with us,” said Demille. “It’s really special to have local kids and homegrown kids come through the program.”

Developing young talent is a huge part of what Hagersville has been doing. The support through the Junior and Bantam team has been outstanding. The Bantam Rep Hawks were OMHA Bantam C Champions this season and many of the fans in Hagersville would love to see them suit up for the PJHL’s Hawks in the future. 

(story continues below photo of the 2018 OMHA Bantam C Champions - Hagersville Hawks)

2018 OMHA Bantam C Champions - Hagersville Hawks

With a population that makes up 1% of the population of Toronto, the Hagersville Hawks have the support of the town.

With 200-400 fans coming through the arena doors a night, Saturday nights have been solidified as hockey night in Hagersville.

“The fans are great,” said Assistant GM Ryan McNeil. “We’ve had some of the same fans coming for years; this is the highest hockey some fans will watch.” 

The Hagersville Hawks have one goal in mind, to bring home the OHA Schmalz Cup in the next couple of years and the town of Hagersville will be routing for their team. 

#WeAreOHA

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