User:Samir/Gloucester Centre Minor Hockey Association

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The Gloucester Centre Minor Hockey Association is located in east Ottawa, Canada in the former municipality of the City of Gloucester.

In the mid-1980's, someone had a fine idea. Why not amalgamate the Cyrville Hockey Association and the Gloucester North Hockey Association, into one association. And so, in 1987, the two associations, the "Flyers" and the "Stars" became one under the Gloucester Centre Minor Hockey Association, bringing to life "The Cougar's".

At that time, it was thought by many that the combination of the two associations would result in about 700 registrations a year, but it never happened. Both Cyrville and Gloucester North had been built up much prior to that time, and demographics in the area were that of an aging population.

That first year must have been a difficult one. It was the Noah's Ark of hockey as there was two of everything. Two presidents, two treasurers, two convenors for every level. It's a wonder that it worked out as well as it did. Much of credit goes to the two presidents at the time, Hank Dzuba and Richard Salter who kept all the balls in the air. And since that time, we have had the following presidents of our association: Hugh Oliver; Robert Prudhomme; Karen Ouellette; Gene Hamelin; Brian Shakleton; Paul McCormick; John Robillard; Louis Sauve; Dan Robinson, and our current President, Michele Benson.

For a little association, we do very well in our representation in the Gloucester Hockey Association. Roger Senecal and Hubert Seguin, both of North Gloucester became Presidents of the GHA, as did Karen Ouellette who after stepping down as President, is now the Vice President of Administration for our parent association. Hubert Seguin has as well gone one step further and is now the current President of the Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association. Not bad if we do say so ourselves! Did we mention that we have had great volunteers!

The Bantam / Midget Tournament

Gloucester was not a "big town" prior to the end of the 1980's. For the most part, it was a suburb of the former City of Ottawa in many respects, though about twice the size. Even today, what was once known as Cyrville is the most densely populated area, attaching itself more to the former City of Vanier and Ottawa's Overbrook area, than to the rest of Gloucester. Gloucester North, encompassing Carson Grove, Lassiter Heights and Beacon Hill has always been the "real suburb", with Blackburn Hamlet having a small town feel, and Leitrim being a vast farming community in the south end of Gloucester. This is changing rapidly however, with Gloucester taking on an urban nature. Blackburn Hamlet is no longer that little Hamlet with nothing around it but kilometres of fields. We're City!

And so, when the Bantam / Midget Tournament was founded in 1974, the role of coordinator fell upon the Gloucester Hockey Association to host the tournament. At the time, it was merely known as the Gloucester Bantam / Midget Tournament and with the success of the Bantam / Midget, then came the Pee Wee Tournament, and so many others. In 1992 though, it was recognized that the Tournaments were becoming a too big a task for the GHA, and so, they then delegated levels to each of the areas.

The 1992 the Bantam / Midget Tournament was given to the Gloucester Centre Minor Hockey Association. Since that time, the Tournament has continued to grow. It is now the largest Bantam / Midget Tournament in Ontario, the second largest tournament in Eastern Ontario, and from all accounts, the largest non-contact Bantam / Midget Tournament in Canada. This year, there will be 44 teams involved. Not too bad for very humble beginnings.

The Future of the GCMHA

For a little House League association, we more than do our part. We are one of three associations (along with LMHA and BHMHA) which make up Gloucester Blackhawks Representative "B" at each minor and major level, provide a great many players to the Gloucester Rangers "A" and "AA" teams at each level, and well, we've already talked about our fantastic volunteers of the past...and our future continues to look very bright.

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