Joey Mancuso forever remembered by high school hockey league

The local High School Hockey League dropped the puck on Saturday night at Memorial Gardens for the inaugural Joey Mancuso Classic.

Mancuso, a former Korah Colt player who passed tragically during a game in 1997, will now have his name symbolize the league's annual east-west exhibition series.

On hand during the opening ceremonies were Joey's parents, Jimmy and Lori, to ceremonially drop the puck.

In the game itself, the East defeated the West 15-6 thanks in large part to an eight goal performance by the White Pines Wolverines.

Korah opened the night with a 4-2 win over the Sir James Dunn Eagles in the first mini-game. Kyle Marshall, Shawn Bibeau, Rob Calvert and David Wieczor scored for the Colts while Steve Stadnick and Nathan Gallagher replied for the Eagles.

Andrew Allen and Luke Ruicci scored as the St. Basil Saints defeated Central Algoma Secondary School 2-0.

CASS then used two goals from Billy Evoy and another from Nick King to defeat the Bawating Braves 3-0.

In the fourth mini-game, Justin Wensley, Matt Ritchie, Anthony Silvano, Tyler Kostiuk and Josh Reed scored to lead the Wolverines past the Braves 5-0.

In the final contest, Silvano, Reed and Corey Wensley connected to lift White Pines past the St. Mary's Knights 3-2. Jordan Casola and Nick Buzanko scored for the Knights.

*** TRIBUTE TO MANCUSO:

The following statement about Joey Mancuso was compiled by the staff from Korah and read to the crowd during the opening ceremonies:

It is a great privilege for the City High School Hockey League tonight to recognize former player, Joey Mancuso, by naming the Annual East-West Classic in his honour.

Joey, as he was affectionately known, was a multi-talented athlete at Korah whose life was tragically ended at the age of 16.

But in those 16 years, Joey made a remarkable impression on everyone he knew -- his loving family, his coaches, his teammates, his opponents and his peers.

Joey did not get to fulfill all his dreams. But his respect, his heart and desire, his character and his wonderful smile will endure as a reminder to all of us what high school sports are all about.

It is about those qualities and it's about the memories you will get to cherish and share for years to come.

When you get those chances, and you will, remember to think about Joey.

*** UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, Nov. 8

White Pines vs. Korah - 3:20 p.m. (McMeeken)

Wednesday, Nov. 9

St. Basil vs. Bawating - 7 p.m. (Rhodes) White Pines vs. CASS - 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11

Bawating vs. St. Basil - 7 p.m. (Rhodes) SJD vs. St. Mary's - 8:30 p.m.

***