There is no better example of that than Kinkora, a rural farming community with a population of approximately 400 people located approximately 20 minutes from Summerside.
“When you look at the size of the community of Kinkora, to produce two people coaching in the NHL, obviously there has to be a tradition of sports in this area,” said Nick Martin, vice-principal of Kinkora Regional High School (KRSH), which has 132 students in Grades 9 to 12. “A lot of people from Kinkora would be incredibly proud of both of them.”
Martin is referring to KRHS graduates Dave Cameron, head coach of the Ottawa Senators, and Florida Panthers assistant coach Mike Kelly, who won a P.E.I. high school hockey championship as teammates with the Kinkora Blazers back in 1976.
“It (high school hockey) was a pretty big deal back then,” said Kelly. “That’s where all the best players played.”
Cameron and Kelly will be part of P.E.I. hockey history on Saturday night as the Senators take on the Gerard (Turk) Gallant-coached Florida Panthers. It will mark the first time two P.E.I. natives have opposed one another as NHL head coaches.
“The community really looks up to those guys, and it’s great to have them there,” said 16-year-old KRHS Grade 11 student Nicholas VanderVelden, who plays midget AA hockey with the Southside Lynx. “For such a small community it’s quite an amazing thing to see. You don’t see that too often. . .
“It’s pretty important to have role models in the community.”
Although it’s been nearly 40 years since Cameron and Kelly graduated from KRHS, their achievements, along with fellow graduate Nathan McIver, who played in his 500th professional hockey game earlier this season, are well documented in a display case just outside the gym.
“When you look at the history of Kinkora athletics, we have created student-athletes that have reached the highest level of competition in their province, country and beyond,” said KRHS athletic director Trent Ranahan. “Mike and Dave's story is still illustrated and alive here at KRHS.
“Their story certainly does add value to our students dreams, knowing former students who attended our small rural school have reached the top of their professional career. . .
“Some of the characteristics Dave and Mike exhibit – hard work, desire, commitment, teamwork and a positive attitude – make them an ideal role model in what we are trying to achieve from out student-athletes.”
Kelly, who lived in neighbouring Shamrock, has fond memories of growing up in the Kinkora area.
“Whether you played ball, hockey or football on the front lawn, we were playing against and with one another all the time,” said Kelly. “You just went from sport to sport.
“I remember it being very competitive and that underlying feeling was we were very proud to be part of the community. . .
“It is a very tight-knit, close community.”
Twitter.com/JpsportsJason
There is no better example of that than Kinkora, a rural farming community with a population of approximately 400 people located approximately 20 minutes from Summerside.
“When you look at the size of the community of Kinkora, to produce two people coaching in the NHL, obviously there has to be a tradition of sports in this area,” said Nick Martin, vice-principal of Kinkora Regional High School (KRSH), which has 132 students in Grades 9 to 12. “A lot of people from Kinkora would be incredibly proud of both of them.”
Martin is referring to KRHS graduates Dave Cameron, head coach of the Ottawa Senators, and Florida Panthers assistant coach Mike Kelly, who won a P.E.I. high school hockey championship as teammates with the Kinkora Blazers back in 1976.
“It (high school hockey) was a pretty big deal back then,” said Kelly. “That’s where all the best players played.”
Cameron and Kelly will be part of P.E.I. hockey history on Saturday night as the Senators take on the Gerard (Turk) Gallant-coached Florida Panthers. It will mark the first time two P.E.I. natives have opposed one another as NHL head coaches.
“The community really looks up to those guys, and it’s great to have them there,” said 16-year-old KRHS Grade 11 student Nicholas VanderVelden, who plays midget AA hockey with the Southside Lynx. “For such a small community it’s quite an amazing thing to see. You don’t see that too often. . .
“It’s pretty important to have role models in the community.”
Although it’s been nearly 40 years since Cameron and Kelly graduated from KRHS, their achievements, along with fellow graduate Nathan McIver, who played in his 500th professional hockey game earlier this season, are well documented in a display case just outside the gym.
“When you look at the history of Kinkora athletics, we have created student-athletes that have reached the highest level of competition in their province, country and beyond,” said KRHS athletic director Trent Ranahan. “Mike and Dave's story is still illustrated and alive here at KRHS.
“Their story certainly does add value to our students dreams, knowing former students who attended our small rural school have reached the top of their professional career. . .
“Some of the characteristics Dave and Mike exhibit – hard work, desire, commitment, teamwork and a positive attitude – make them an ideal role model in what we are trying to achieve from out student-athletes.”
Kelly, who lived in neighbouring Shamrock, has fond memories of growing up in the Kinkora area.
“Whether you played ball, hockey or football on the front lawn, we were playing against and with one another all the time,” said Kelly. “You just went from sport to sport.
“I remember it being very competitive and that underlying feeling was we were very proud to be part of the community. . .
“It is a very tight-knit, close community.”
Twitter.com/JpsportsJason
