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PHOTO: Renfrew County is proud to highlight five local athletes who will be competing at the Ontario Winter Games with the Ottawa Valley Titans U14 hockey team (from left) are Tyler McEnery, Eganville; Andrew Enright, Cobden; Coach Scott Buffam, Arnprior; Kaden McGregor, Braeside and Brian Rathwell, Pembroke. Hockey takes place in Renfrew February 3-5.

U14 Ottawa Valley Titans qualify for the Ontario Winter Games in Renfrew County

By myFM News/Oldies 107.7 staff Jan 25, 2023 | 4:10 AM

The Ottawa Valley Titans U14 team will compete at the Ontario Winter Games in Renfrew County.

The team is made up of 17 players from Districts 4 and 5 (West Carleton, Stittsville and all of Renfrew County) including four players from Renfrew County: goalie Brian Rathwell from Pembroke; defencemen Andrew Enright from Cobden; defencemen Tyler McEnery from Eganville; and forward Kaden McGregor from Braeside.

The team qualified as Hockey Eastern Ontario is the host of the Games and it received two bid spots to the Games. The first team that qualified was Myers and the Titans are considered the host team.

Titans Coach Scott Buffam from Arnprior says both teams are ranked top-10 in the province and will provide tough competition for the other six teams.

The Ottawa Valley Titans hope they will see a lot of local fans come out and support their team.

The hockey competition is being held at the Ma-te-Way Activity Centre in Renfrew on February 3rd, 4th  and 5th and like all Ontario Winter Games sporting events will be free to attend.

PLAYER/COACH PROFILES

Goalie Brian Rathwell has deep roots playing hockey in Pembroke; he started with Pembroke Minor Hockey, moved up to the Kings competitive team, earned his spot on the Ottawa Valley Aces and then moved onto the Titans. Rathwell’s fondest memories playing in District 5 are winning the regional Silver Stick with the Aces and winning bronze in the provincial championship last year. “I am proud to represent District 5 at the Ontario Winter Games to show other District 5 kids that your dreams are achievable; all you have to do is put your mind to it,” said Rathwell. “The Ontario Winter Games mean a lot to me because what it has taken for our team to qualify for this event. As well as the added bonus of it being in our back yard. It will be one of the moments I will remember for the rest of my life with a great group of teammates.”

Defencemen Andrew Enright learned how to skate on an outdoor rink in an effort to keep up with his older siblings. He started in the initiation program in Cobden with the Muskrat Minor Hockey Association and played there for the next three years until he was old enough to try out for the Aces, where he played for two years and for the last two seasons he has played with the Titans. One of Enright’s favourite hockey memories was his experience at the under-13 provincial championships in Toronto. Enright is thankful for his coaches and volunteers at each level he has played at for their guidance and encouragement. “I have developed some very strong friendships during my time playing hockey and I am really looking forward to playing in the Ontario Winter Games in Renfrew County,” said Enright.

Defencemen Tyler McEnery started his hockey career skating on the frozen shores of Mink Lake in Eganville and was excited the first time he got to wear real hockey equipment with the Eganville Minor Hockey Association’s Introductory Program. He went on to play his novice years in Eganville and the Barry’s Bay Valley Storm rep team. He moved up to the Ottawa Valley Aces and will always remember winning the Regional Silver Stick Championships and going on to the International Silver Stick Final. “I am honoured to be playing my second season for the AAA Ottawa Valley Titans as I have many cherished memories as a Titan,” said McEnery. “But my favourite hockey memories are the friendships I have made with my teammates, friendships that grew out of a common connection to hockey and are rooted in the love of the game.”

Forward Kaden McGregor hit the ice on his backyard rink in Braeside when he was two years old and then moved up to the initiation program with the Arnprior Minor Hockey Association, but soon he was off to the rep team and then qualified for the Upper Ottawa Valley Aces team. One of his favourite memories is winning the Regional Silver Stick tournament. In 2019, McGregor was selected to play for the Connecticut Junior Rangers and attended the prestigious Brick Invitational Tournament in Edmonton, Alberta. His team went undefeated, winning the tournament in overtime against Team Alberta and he was named the playoff most valuable player. McGregor has played for the Ottawa Valley Titans for the last three years. “I am proud to represent Renfrew County and District 5 at the Ontario Winter Games,” said McGregor.

Coach Scott Buffam grew up playing for the Arnprior Packers and is currently in his 27th year of teaching. He started coaching high school athletes in 2003 and was able to take the Renfrew Collegiate Institute (RCI) hockey to the Ontario finals four times in 14 seasons. He has coached minor hockey in Renfrew/Arnprior, coached U18 AAA for Renfrew/Carleton Place and has been on the Titans executive for three years. Buffam is very excited to be back in the town and rink where his coaching experience got started. “I am thrilled to lead such a talented and hard-working group of boys in the province’s highest level of competition in the Ontario Winter Games,” said Buffam. “I have so many great memories and relationships that set the foundation for my love of the game and I am looking forward to making new ones during the games as we battle some of the best teams in the Province.”

(written by: Rudy Kadlec)