Bulldogs induct four players into Wall of Fame at annual awards banquet

Four Kincardine Bulldogs were inducted into the Wall of Fame at the team’s annual awards banquet, held Saturday night, at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine.

No. 4 - Wilson Shipp, No. 7 – Jordan Beisel, No. 11 – Jordan Moulton, and No. 55 – Carter Servais were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the team, and tremendous leadership on and off the ice. They, along with No. 19 – Aidan Yarde, are overage players, graduating from the Bulldogs and moving on to senior hockey or other endeavours.

General manager Warren Beisel said Shipp, Jordan Beisel, Moulton and Servais have been on the Bulldogs together for five years, and Yarde joined this past year.

“The four we’re inducting tonight, are loyal to their hometown community, and we greatly appreciate them for their hard work and dedication to the team,” he said. “Together, they’ve played 674 games for the Bulldogs, scored 150 goals and had 260 assists, for a total of 410 points. They have helped out with whatever we’re doing. They’re a great group and they’re set up for success in life. Congratulations.”

Warren Beisel started the evening off by welcoming the crowd, and then everyone enjoyed a delicious meal.

Following the main course, the overage players cut and served the cake for dessert.

Jordan Beisel, Moulton and Shipp thanked everyone who helps with the Bulldogs every season, including the coaches and trainers, the executive, the parents and families, the fans, the sponsors and supporters, and many who work behind the scenes to get things done.

They called up J.D. Gouthro and thanked him for being the best equipment assistant in the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL).

Paying tribute to the late Doug Kennedy (Douger), they said it’s devastating that he’s not here anymore, and he is sadly missed.

“We are so grateful as overage players to play our final year in Kincardine,” they said. “That meant so much to us. Thank you to our fellow players for your hard work and commitment. Junior hockey goes by so fast. Don’t take it for granted. You’ll make some great friendships that will last a lifetime.”

Timekeepers Gord Kemp and Jamie Hunsburger, who hand out lifesavers to the Bulldogs players when they show up at the penalty box during home games, called up Carter Servais and gave him his own box of lifesavers, since he served the most penalty minutes this season.

Warren Beisel told the crowd that the PJHL has named the league’s Rookie of the Year award after Doug Kennedy, and the Ontario Hockey Association has renamed its golf tournament the Doug Kennedy Memorial Golf Tournament.

He reminded the players of the D.K. (Doug Kennedy) Memorial Indoor Beach Volleyball event, May 1-3; the Golf Tournament, Aug. 15 at Kincardine Golf and Country Club, and training camp in mid-August.

Award winners included the following:
 

• Most Sportsmanlike Player – Chad Lawrence
• Chris Knott Memorial Award for Most Colourful Player – Aidan Yarde and Carter Servais
• Most Improved Player – Wyatt Thomas
• Rookie of the Year – Dustin Heipel and Cooper Love
• Ken McCormick Memorial Award for Most Determined Player – Jordan Beisel
• Toots Johnson Coaches Award – Wilson Shipp and Caeleb Bowler
• Top Defensive Player – Dustin Heipel and Cooper Schneider
• Randy Dowler Ironman Award (over four years while at school, he did not miss a game) – Caeleb Bowler and Jordan Moulton
• Best Defenceman – Jordan Moulton
• Leading Scorer in the regular season – Jordan Moulton
• Most Valuable Player in the regular season – Jordan Moulton
• Doug Kennedy Memorial Award for Leading Scorer in the playoffs – Trent Houghton
• Most Valuable Player in the playoffs – Trent Houghton
• Volunteer of the Year – Gord Dadson and Shirley Ann Dadson
• Wall of Fame – Jordan Beisel, Jordan Moulton, Carter Servais and Wilson Shipp