Leo Buckley's Deep River team captured 1st place during the regular season portion of the 2003-2004 Upper Ottawa Valley Curling Superleague and were awarded the Stokes memorial trophy. This is the third year the trophy has been awarded by the league, which has been in existence for over 20 years. The trophy was donated in memory of a great curler and friend, Gord Stokes from Cobden. Gord had the unfortunate distinction of having won the round robin portion of the league 5 or 6 times but never was able to capture the League Championship trophy awarded to the winner of the league playoffs - this has made the trophy very appropriate and coveted by league curlers.
Photo Caption: 2003-2004 Upper Ottawa Valley Superleague 1st Place Champions from the Deep River Curling and Squash Club with the Gord Stokes memorial trophy. From left to right: Chris Knight (3rd), Martin Chisholm (2nd), Leo Buckley (Skip), Bob Burton (Lead) and Ron Grozelle (Alternate)
Buckley's team of Chris Knight (third), Martin Chisholm (2nd), Bob Burton (Lead) and Ron Grozelle (Alternate), now move into the playoffs for the semi-finals where they are pitted against their club rival team skipped by Chris Moore. Moore's team finished the regular season in fourth place but are on a roll having comeback from an 0-5 first half to post a 5 and 5 season record. Should be a great matchup - this game will be played in Deep River on Wednesday, February 18th at 7PM in Deep River - spectators are welcome. In the other semi-final two Pembroke teams skipped by Emile Robert and Dave Trautrim will square off on the same night in Pembroke with the playoff final slated for a week later in Pembroke.
The 2004 Deep River Open Bonspiel goes on February 20 to 22 at the Deep River Curling and Squash Club with draws starting Friday night at 7 PM and the finals wrap up on Sunday with the game starting at 3 PM. The field is full with 32 teams coming form a wide range of locales including many from Ottawa, one from Temiskaming and another from Toronto.
One draw that will be especially competitive will be the Friday night at 11PM draw where 4 past Bonspiel Champions will be playing including last years winner Artie Trudel from Mattawa, Brad Shinn and John Galligan rinks from Ottawa and Deep River's Leo Buckley. Spectators are welcome to come up and watch the action anytime over the weekend!