By Angelo Montilla
Staff Sports Reporter

Mission complete for the Tecumseh Chiefs.

Sparked by Ryan Viselli’s three-point performance, the Chiefs defeated the Elmira Sugar Kings 5-3 in Elmira Saturday night to win the Sutherland Cup.

The Chiefs swept the Sugar Kings 4-0 in their best-of-seven series final to become the first junior B team from Windsor-Essex County to win a Sutherland Cup title.

“When you begin the season, you don’t think you will be the best in the province and to do it, it’s just unbelievable,” said Viselli as he and the Chiefs suited up for one last team photo at Tecumseh Arena Sunday afternoon.

“We worked so hard all season, and we really wanted to end it on a good note.”

The Chiefs dominated throughout the playoffs, recording 19 wins and only three losses.

“Right now it’s surreal still,” Tecumseh captain Matt Rehman added. “We’ve worked really hard for this, and we deserve it. This is the best group of guys I have ever been a part of on a hockey team. We really are the best team in Ontario.”

Leading the series 3-0, the Chiefs came out flying in Game 4 as Viselli and James Woodcroft helped build a 2-0 lead after the first period.

Elmira cut the lead to 2-1 before Dan Reaume restored Tecumseh’s two-goal cushion.

Elmira never gave up without a fight though. Garrett Rank and Jeremy Hilliard scored back-to-back goals 20 seconds apart to give the Sugar Kings new life.

However, the Chiefs spoiled any chances for a comeback with less than 13 minutes left to play.

Reaume netted his second of the game on the power play to put Tecumseh back in front.

Elmira got into penalty trouble as they tried to tie the game and the Chiefs capitalized, as Travis Ouellette sealed the win and the provincial crown with a goal with less than three minutes left in the game.

“You never go into a series expecting a sweep,” head coach Jim Hunter said. “You prepare your team for a hard-found series.

“Just the way we did it too,” he added. “We went 19-3 in the playoffs and the kids should be really proud of that.”

Overage goaltender Jonathan Hunter was stellar in net for the Chiefs, turning aside 42 of 45 shots, while Sugar Kings goalie Dan Morrison was equally busy making 43 saves.

More than 100 Tecumseh fans made the trip to Elmira waving Chiefs flags and cheering just as loud as the Sugar Kings fans, Chiefs general manager Kevin McIntosh said.

“It was awesome,” he explained. “It really did give us a boost.

“To be the best team in the province . . . it’s just very special,” McIntosh added.

“The hard work that this team has put forward, it’s been a long haul and they deserve it.”  

By Angelo Montilla
Staff Sports Reporter

It was a bitter sweet ending for Tecumseh Chiefs head coach Jim Hunter.

Hunter, who guided the Chiefs to its first Western Ontario Hockey League title and Sutherland Cup, was named Ontario Hockey Association Jr. B coach of the year.

“It was quite an honour when I first heard,” Hunter said of winning the award. “Next to winning the Sutherland Cup, this is probably the best team award. In all of my years of coaching, this is one of my greatest highlights.”

Despite the accolade, Hunter decided to step down as Chiefs head coach, a day after guiding the club to its first provincial crown.

“I resigned today,” Hunter added. “We had a great season, but it’s a huge commitment and a commitment at this point of my life I’m not sure I could go another year with.

“To be honest, I have no plans right now,” said Hunter of the possibility of coaching elsewhere next year. “Despite any rumours, I have not received any phone calls (from other teams) other than people congratulating me on the victory.”

Hunter will accept his award at the annual ceremony on Friday, June 6 at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

Chiefs president Richard Ofner said the search for a new head coach has already begun, as the Chiefs open their spring camp in two weeks.

“We will not do any type of camp without a coach in place,” Ofner said. “We have a few people in mind that are on a short list and we will have a good coach in place within the next few weeks.”

Chiefs move ‘no big secret’
A decision on the future of the team and where they will play hockey next season is expected to come within the next 30 days, Ofner said Sunday after the team gathered for one last team photo at Tecumseh Arena on Sunday afternoon.

“Right now, it’s not a big secret, but it looks like the season is going to start in LaSalle next year,” Ofner said.

“In the next 30 days, a final decision will come.”

Ofner was a key part in keeping the team in Tecumseh eight years ago, when he renamed them the Chiefs. Winning in what could be their final year in Tecumseh is ending on a high note, Ofner said.

“The Tecumseh Chiefs will still be a big part of what we accomplished,” Ofner said. “Who knows, maybe something can happen here again some day. We won’t close the door, but under the circumstances, demographically, it’s something we have to do to make this franchise another step better.”

The team will also have a new captain next year, as Matt Rehman said he will not return for another year of junior B hockey.