Georgina Ice

The Georgina Ice are a Junior ice hockey team based in Keswick, Ontario, Canada. Starting with the 2016-17 season they play in the Provincial Junior Hockey League. Their prior league, the Central Ontario Junior C Hockey League of the Ontario Hockey Association amalgamated with the other Southern Ontario junior hockey leagues. It then became the Orr Division in the East conference.

History
The Ice were founded in 1994. They have always played in the Central "C" league until the re-organization of junior "C" hockey in 2016-17 when the Ice became part of the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL). The Ice play most of their home games at the Georgina Ice Palace in Keswick. Each year they play a handful of games in Sutton at the Sutton Arena.

The Georgina Ice have developed many young junior players that have risen to higher levels of hockey including Junior, College and professional leagues including the National Hockey League. The inaugural team saw players such as Jason Robinson, Jimmy Wilson and Todd Hamblin go on to play for the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League.

In the second year the franchise was affiliated with Stouffville Spirit over the course of their 13-year existence the Ice have also been affiliated with the 2002–03 Dudley Hewitt Cup and Royal Bank Cup winning Aurora Tigers. The Ice reformed their affiliation with the Newmarket Hurricanes in 2006.

In 2002–03 The Ice made the ultimate journey advancing to the Clarence Schmalz Cup. The Ice lost the series in 4 games to the Grimsby Peach Kings. Grimsby was making their first of two consecutive runs at the Ontario Championship.

2006 saw Ice alumnus David McIntyre drafted by the Dallas Stars in the 5th round of the NHL Entry Draft. Kyle Orr, also an Ice alumnus signed a pro contract with the Arizona Sundogs of the Central Hockey League. Justin Soryal, who played for the Ice in 2003–04, now plays for the Connecticut Whale in the American Hockey League.

In 2004, The Ice retired Jersey No. 94 in honor of all time Ice leading scorer Trevor Sedore who finished his junior career after 240 games with 179 goals and 172 assists for 351 points. Sedore was named league MVP 3 times in 7 seasons.

Also in 2004 the Georgina Ice honored longtime head coach Steve Sedore for his 25 years of coaching. He has been a constant fixture with the Ice over their 13 years. He was the head coach in the first season and has held various positions since. Steve is the longest serving and winningest coach in Ice History and has held coaching positions with the Stouffville Spirit, Couchiching Terriers and the Newmarket Hurricanes. He has also been involved in minor hockey with Georgina and York Simcoe.

Aside from Steve the Ice have been led by Mike Sedore, Paul Sinclair and Peter Hughes. Mike returned to the Ice in 2006 after Pete stepped down to assume the assistant coaching role. Mike last served as head coach in 1995–96 taking over for Steve when he took on the head coaching duties with the Spirit.

Heading into the 2006–07 Season the Ice have compiled a regular season record of 236-204-30-18. Since entering the league in 1994 they have played regular season games against the Port Perry Mojacks, Uxbridge Bruins, Lakefield Chiefs and Little Britain Merchants all of which remain in the league today. The Bowmanville Eagles left the COJCHL in 1995 and the Bobcaygeon Bullets left shortly after. For a period of time The Central League also played crossover games with the Empire B Junior C League.

In 2008 The Ice took home the coveted Cougar beating the No. 1 ranked Lakefield Chiefs 4 games to none to capture their second COJCHL title.

In 2019-2020 notable changes came to the ICE program, namely new ownership under Joseph Cornacchia, former Head Coach and General Manager of the U18 AAA Markham Waxers and OJHL Markham Waxers. Joe was able to assemble a management group and coaching staff in Keswick that prioritized local players from Georgina and the York Simcoe Area. While immediate success on the ice took time, momentum off the ice was significant. The staff aimed to put together the best show in Keswick on Friday nights.

The 2020-2021 season had early promise with strong player signings and an increased buzz around town that the ICE were committed to putting a skilled team together. In the end, the puck never dropped as Covid-19 cancelled the season.

2021-2022 saw a roster with increased talent joining the club from the U18 AAA York Simcoe Express program. Player signings like Cameron McClachrie, Austin Paulmert and Justin Diliso showed enhanced confidence from the community in the ICE’s ability to develop players. The most notable signing was 17 year old OHL Sarnia Sting drafted goaltender, Nicholas Surzycia. Nick chose to play the ’21-’22 season with the ICE where he posted a .935 save %, won the PJHL Rookie Of The Year Award and brought the ICE to the playoffs where they won their first playoff game in 11 seasons. The biggest win off the ice was the brand-new player dressing room built by Joe; a state-of-the-art changeroom to show his commitment to the players and community. To this day, the room is the crown jewel to the ICE and it’s shared with Georgina Blaze and Georgina Golden Hawk teams.

2022-2023 was Head Coach/General Manager Darren Price’s sophomore season behind the bench. Price quickly announced big player signings such as Captain, Mike McCullough, Jack Mayo and local AAA all-star, Ronnie Wiersema who went on the win PJHL Rookie Of The Year with 42 PTS and 72 PIMS. The ’22-’23 season also saw the return of Steve Sedore as an Assistant, bringing many years of experience in the PJHL and OJHL. The ICE continued to see local confidence with the program as another Sarnia Sting OHL drafted player, 16 year old ‘AP’ Michael Denney signed with the team. Denney assisted the ICE in defeating the North Kawartha Knights in the first round, 4 games to 1. The ICE went on to lose 4 straight games to the mighty, Clarington Eagles who went on to appear in the Schmalz Cup Finals. Friday night home games for the ICE have seen increased attendance, averaging over 500 people due to team success and an established social media presence online.

Captains

 * 2023-2024: Mike McCullough
 * 2022-2023: Mike McCullough
 * 2021-2022: Blake Gowan
 * 2020-2021: No Captain - Season lost to Covid
 * 2019-2020: Jesse King-Norris
 * 2018-2019: Josh Lemmon
 * 2017-2018: Justin Wain
 * 2016-2017: Justin Wain
 * 2015-2016: Bradley Boudreau
 * 2014-2015: Brett Theissen
 * 2013-2014: Luke Vanderkooy
 * 2012-2013: Scott Sandercock
 * 2011-2012: Scott Sedore
 * 2010-2011: Braedon Collins
 * 2009-2010: Brendan Berryman
 * 2008-2009: Brock Van Der Gulik
 * 2007-2008: Andrew Lamoureux

Schmalz Cup Finals appearances

 * 2003: Grimsby Peach Kings defeated Georgina Ice 4-games-to-0

2017–2018 Team Staff

 * General Manager - Steve Sedore
 * Assistant Manager -
 * Head Coach - Steve Sedore
 * Assistant Coach - Steve Knispel
 * Assistant Coach - Mark Watson
 * Assistant Coach -
 * Trainer - Amy Collett
 * Assistant Trainer -

2019–20 Team Staff

 * President & General Manager - Joseph Cornacchia
 * Director of Hockey Operations - Michael Cornacchia
 * Assistant General Manager - Padraig Kenny
 * Head Coach - Mark Watson
 * Assistant Coach - Scott Sandercock
 * Equipment Manager - Brad Sedore
 * Trainer - Donna Giancola

2020–21 Team Staff

 * President - Joseph Cornacchia
 * Director of Hockey Operations - Michael Cornacchia
 * General Manager - Paul Dossey
 * Assistant General Manager/Asst. Coach - Padraig Kenny
 * Head Coach - Mark Watson
 * Assistant Coach - Scott Sandercock
 * Equipment Manager - Brad Sedore
 * Trainer - Donna Giancola

2021–22 Team Staff

 * President - Joseph Cornacchia
 * Director of Hockey Operations - Michael Cornacchia
 * Assistant General Manager - Padraig Kenny
 * Head Coach - Darren Price
 * Assistant Coach - Terry O'Brien
 * Equipment Manager - Dave Mullett

Home arena
The Georgina Ice Palace in Keswick has been the main home of the Georgina Ice since 1996–97 season. Prior to that the Ice played the bulk of their games at the Sutton Arena where they continue to play a handful of games each season.

The Ice Palace is located at 90 Wexford Drive just west of Woodbine Avenue in Keswick. It has a twin ice pad and also has a library, multi-use facility and a skatepark.

Notable alumni

 * David McIntyre - Dallas Star Draft Pick - Minnesota Wild - Colgate (NCAA DI)
 * Sean Walker - Los Angeles Kings - Bowling Green State University (NCAA DI)
 * Justin Soryal - New York Rangers
 * Joel Hanley - Dallas Stars - UMASS (Amherst) (NCAA DI)
 * Brad Fogal - Adrian College (NCAA DIII) - ECHL - WPHL - AHL
 * Taylor McCloy - Adrian College (NCAA DIII) - Norfolk Admirals - ECHL - SPHL
 * Nicholas Surzycia - Goaltender, Sarnia Sting (O.H.L.)