After a courageously fought battle, it is with the heaviest hearts that we announce the passing of our adored husband, father, brother, son, uncle, nonno, brother-in-law, friend, and the greatest family man of all time. Gino Tittarelli, husband of Christine, father to Morgan (Eric), Brandon (Maria), son of the late Carlo and Maria, brother to Joe (Gina), Rose, brother-in-law to John (Vicki), son-in-law to the late Serge and Anne, Nonno to Felix and Cooper, and much-loved uncle to many nieces and nephews. A special thank you to the nurses and PSW's of the LHIN for their care and compassion. Although born in Italy, Gino was a proud Canadian and successfully started Nash Auto Parts where many personal and professional relationships were fostered, and Nash unofficially became the site of the underage driving school for those with the inside connection. He was always the life of the party and kids naturally gravitated towards him. You just had to find the crowd of kids and in the centre, you would find Gino with a handful of kids hanging off him. This translated throughout his life and to this day you would still find him at the center of the young crowd. Gino was much loved by everyone who knew him. He had the most infectious smile and was at his happiest when in his backyard oasis by the pool with his family and friends close by. Our sweet Gino, aka Tad, knew how to take a joke and gave it back just as fast. Although diminutive in size, he always had bragging rights to a great head of hair and a larger-than-life personality. He truly had a zest for life that was contagious. He welcomed everyone into his home and into his heart where so many parties were had, and memories were made. He left us too soon but has made his mark and his memory will stay with us forever. Visitation will be held at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, 454 Highway #8 (east of Millen Road) STONEY CREEK (905-664-4222) on Monday, April 26, 2021 from 5:30 - 9 p.m. In accordance with provincial regulations, there is a limit to the number of visitors who may attend at one time. Please RSVP in advance for the Visitation on Gino's tribute page at www.smithsfh.com or by calling the Funeral Home. Visitors are asked to remain in their cars until their scheduled time. A Service of Remembrance and Celebration of Gino's life will be held a later late when it is safe for friends and family to gather. If desired, memorial contributions to ALS Society would be sincerely appreciated by the family.

Legacy link to obit

First off, stick taps for Walter Gretzky, our country’s official hockey dad. He will be sadly missed throughout every hockey community. I guess that makes Don Cherry Canada’s official grumpy uncle? Can’t say Wally ever made the drive to take in a SCOHA game but guarantee he wouldn’t have left without signing autographs for the 3 fans in the rink that night.
Anyways, the snow is melting and our shoes are still wet from the news of the SCOHA season getting canceled. The thoughts of trying to do a puzzle with a curious cat in the house makes me want a double scotch on the rocks, with ice in it. I’ve been binge-watching Homeland on Netflix. Really good show if you are looking for something new to pass the time. 
I haven’t heard boo from the players lately but caught wind of a few off-season antics some of you have been up to since we last spoke. Chris “Get Off My Lawn” Barratto has been working out vigorously during the lockout and recently took advantage of the 50lb potato 3 bag limit sale at No Frills. He’s packed on a lot of muscle, now handles the puck like a hearty and straightforward cigar. The league has always respected his style of play and we will continue to see a spike in cases of awe is his puck pursuit. There’s no masking the fact that Barratto is solidifying his spot in the SCOHA record books. He has recently furloughed his regular pop and chip nights in favour of celery sticks and grapes.
Meanwhile, over in the Masters Division, Yves “No Miss” Bisson adds a cool wrinkle to the fold with his relentless work ethic on and off the ice. Reminds us of a vintage 2013 Cab Sauv, medium-bodied and saucy but racy acidity that stabilizes nicely with his robust tannins. A credible source tells me that Yves enlisted in the John Savidis core strength conditioning class so he can help bring in the beer and ice into the dressing room without the use of a wheely cooler.
Can we talk about Junior division stalwart Roman Bratovz? “Wurst” nights are trying to score a goal on this guy for crying out loud. Gets the “kraut” on their feet with tantalizing saves night in and night out, and even adds a bit of mustard for show, no napkin necessary, Roman has things under control, put a bun in it!
What else…. Oilers drafted Novak “Take it on the” Dojcinovic (not the tennis player) with a diamond in the rough pick. This guy tastes the gas first before he puts it in his car. While other player’s bodies will look like a McDonalds hash brown when we get back at it, Novak will be 8 steps ahead of the rest. You heard it here first, fellas.
Broke out my Viewmaster to try and see across Eastmount Park at the outdoor rink last weekend. Sure enough, it was in fact Dave Armstrong out for a twirl shooting spicy beef bombs against an unwilling goaltender for an hour or so. Dave has sauteed any repercussions of an ankle injury and by the looks of a few goals he scored, he is as close to 100% as he will ever be. After one remarkable goal top left corner, I yelled across the field at Dave and asked if the goalie signed up for the 15% warranty on that roof job. He didn’t hear me and carried on.
At any rate, when we do return to play, things will be rusty, not gonna lie. We’ve all been planting fart bombs into our couches for over a year now waiting for the go-ahead to lace em’ up again. We will ease our toes into the water when the time comes and make this league great again. Hope everyone is keeping safe, see you all soon!

Chris Marttila
 

Hey fellas, hope everyone had a good Christmas. I've watched Netflix twice now, feel all cooped up like being stuck in a car full of bees. This Covid thing could last longer than a Honda Civic for crying out loud!

After talking to a few fellow Scohaiians last week, there seems to be some creativity circulating amongst us. After several chili nights and Indian take out dinners, masters division sniper Guy Shaver has made use of his many empty toilet paper rolls. He has made a symphony orchestra worth of horns that he plans on selling online.

Meanwhile over in the junior division, the Haslam gang are knee deep in a 30-day Lego challenge. They have completed a barn and a space shuttle so far. Intermediate superstar Bob Tenison has reportedly switched gears during the lockout and has enjoyed curling up with a blanket with some New York bestsellers and saucy books to keep occupied. Masters Chris Barratto is still trying to figure out his cheese making kit he got for Christmas.

Before I continue, I would be remiss if I didn't voice my displeasure with a few players that staged  a march last week to Terry's house to protest our lost season. They smashed windows, looted the place and even took photos sitting at his computer desk. Worst of all, they drank his last Molson Golden from the fridge. We will refrain from revealing the organizer of this protest but his name rhymes with Cave Ditchman.

At any rate, hope you are all keeping safe and are following the rules. We all look forward to that first night we can all have some pints, pizza and nachos up at the bar. There will be more than one player hanging like a wreath the next morning, myself included.

Chris Marttila

Well so much for that. I spent $199.00 for the SCOHA Centre Ice Package for my tv then Terry goes and announces the season is suspended. Had the popcorn and colas ready for opening night, too…. A big nothing burger to say the very least.

Well the Draft Night 2020 Extravaganza went off without a hitch. Gord Bryce took his usual half an hour for each selection, disobeying the egg timer dings all night but he eventually got the last laugh, assembling a Bruins squad only Don Cherry would love. Grit, skill and determination were his 3 key puzzle pieces in compiling his dream team.

Good Day, SCOHA 
 
As you are aware when Hamilton entered Code Red on Monday, November 16th, all hockey including our league was put on pause before we could get started. We will remain in Code Red for a minimum of 28 days.  This will put us right into our Christmas Shutdown. 
 
When we do come out of Code Red next month our first game back would be Friday, January 8th for United and Sunday, January 10th for the Master division.  This still gives us a 12 Game shortened season with play-offs.  If by chance we are not permitted to resume at that time the 2020-21 Season will , unfortunately, be canceled for safety and lack of weeks remaining to warrant a season. 
 
Refunds will be provided for all canceled games or a full refund for the full season if we cannot get started. There will also be partial refunds for expanded rosters in masters if that is still the case when we resume. 

We should have more details on a Return to Play plan the week of December 14th. 
 
Stay safe,

 SCOHA executive
 

Hope everyone is healthy.

An email is being sent to all players who have registered to play and the players on the spare/waiting list.

This is what is happening with SCOHA this season. COVID-19 has forced us to make many difficult decisions to make this season happen.

Junior     had 49 players not signup this season.
Int.          had 47 players not signup this season.

Masters had 29 players not sign up this season.

We will be getting a Dressing room for the game, but we still have the 15-minute before and after each game to enter and exit the rink.

The season will be 18 weeks in duration, tentatively commencing mid-November..

With the number of players that have registered and said they are playing; we are structuring the league in this way:

Masters will have 8 teams (10 skaters and a goalie) Each team will have 2 Friday night games this season.

Junior and Intermediate will have to be combined into the "United" Division, 6 teams, (10 skaters and a goalie) playing a 50% split of the game on Fridays and Sundays.

We need all players to return their jerseys to their team Captain or league executive.

  Any question contact- Terry Gudgeon     President at 289-440-0414 or terry_gudgeon@hotmail.com                                          Steve Ditta          V P Junior Division at 905-929-1822 or ditta40@hotmail.com                                          Dave Wichman  V P Intermediate Division 905-548-9906 or dlwcons@cogeco.ca                                          Joe LoCicero       V P Masters Division 905-975-4702 or jlocicero29@gmail.com

SCOHA membership- Remember everyone is responsible for preventing the spread of COVID-19. The Executive is working hard to ensure everyone's safety before returning to the ice. The executive is proposing that the AGM be canceled (can't have a large meeting for foreseeable future) The existing Executive would stay in place for the upcoming season. Meaning executive terms would be increased for one year. (for 2020/2021 season only)  

Well the cement has hardened on the SCOHA 2019-20 season. I’m not going to “mask” the fact that we all saw it coming. So how are you feeling? Can’t imagine how many of us have been so nervous to have diarrhea since the Modern Indian Buffet opened their doors about 10 years ago. Stick tap to Chris Barratto who decided to grow a rather large beard in his attempt to start a ZZ-Top cover band. Some players have admitted to wavering from their off-ice regiments but are confident they will get back to playing weight once the league announces a return to play plan. Til then, bacon burger dogs are on the menu in the foreseeable future.

SCOHA has been asked if we can play some crowd noises through the arena speakers when play resumes. For some Masters teams, booing would make it feel more like the real thing. Stay tuned.   Meanwhile over in the Intermediate circuit, Bruins Tim Pettitt has gone through his wooden stick stash at his campfire pit. He has mastered the Sher-wood flavoured spider hotdogs and hopes to have it on the Lookout Lounge menu next season.   Meanwhile, in Junior news, Oilers captain Steve Ditta is in the midst of collecting his Oilers jerseys. His basement smells like a mixed sub with double onion but give the guy credit, he is doing his part.   Speaking of cub reporter Guy Shaver, he was spotted lurking in the tall grass at the rink looking to sneak in a skate with the figure skaters over the weekend. Unfortunately, his two-two he made out of his Sharks jersey didn’t fool the rest of the skaters and was asked to leave the bubble.   On the injury front, the layoff was welcome time for some players to heal some bumps and bruises. We are all hopeful no one has suffered any offseason mishaps and hope to see everyone back at the rink soon!

Chris Marttila

We hope everyone is safe.
 
After many hours of discussion with SCOHA members, the Executive, and the Quad, the decision has been made to cancel the remainder of the  2019/2020 playoffs.
 
This upcoming season will be very hard to layout and plan for with the COVID-19. All the executive effort has to be concentrated on achieving this goal.
 
All players will have to sign a COVID-19 waiver form before they can play this upcoming season.
 
We did not make this decision lightly, there is no sign of us starting in the 2020/2021 season anytime soon. We have plans in place for October or November or December start of play.

Some members have informed me that this is overly optimistic.
 
We will be putting additional rules in place for everyone’s safety. Will advise of new rules when finalized.
 
Have had one member tell us that he will not return to play till there is a vaccine.
 
When we have a start date, we will be contacting everyone that has pre-signed up to see if they still intend to play this upcoming season?
 
As of now, the Quad is only letting figure skaters and hockey skill development on the ice.  8 skaters and 2 coaches, absolutely no games, come to rink dressed in gear, 15 minutes before ice time and 15 to leave, temperature taken at door, every player has to supply their own water bottle, no dressing rooms are in use, everyone has to wear a mask to enter and leave, no parent or
spectators are allowed. 

We would ask if all team reps can help in getting the jerseys back, by either having players drop off at your house or if convenient picking them up. Please inform Chris Baratto of your progress.
  
Stay safe and healthy
SCOHA Executive

The answer to the quiz last week "Name that Scohaian" is Glenn Rouse!!! Thanks for all those who messaged with their guess, it was fun... The weeks are getting longer and longer. This one has been agony. I am as tired as a pair of dentures after a cold buffet but the blog isn't gonna write itself so saddle up, fellas, I've got some updates on a few of the goings on from the goings on.
This week's blog is brought to you by Bill Curran's Kitchen Guitar Party... more hits than Snoop Dogg on a Friday night... I am still waiting for some Anne Murray... give him a listen, Bill is slicker than a boiled onion on the guitar.