2020-21 Media Guide a Tradition of Excellence the Toronto Aeros Have a Long-Established Reputation for Success That Other Organizations Have Aspired to Emulate
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www.TORONTOAEROS .com 2020-21 Media Guide A Tradition of Excellence he Toronto Aeros have a long-established reputation for success that other T organizations have aspired to emulate. Although winning games is not our primary goal, we are extremely proud of the consistency with which our teams have excelled on the ice. It is a by-product of our ultimate objective of our drive for excellence in all we do, to assist each and every Aero to fulfill their individual all-around potential. Notably, since the inaugural season of the PWHL in 2004-05, the Junior Aeros have competed in the PWHL Championship Weekend every season, winning the Gold Medal 7 times and reaching the final game an impressive 10 of 15 opportunities to date. Listed are the achievements of both Junior and Midget teams since 2006-07. Junior Aeros PWHL Championships Gold Medal: 2018, 2016, 2011, 2010, 2007 Silver Medal: 2017, 2012, 2009 Bronze Medal: 2013 Final Four: qualified 2020*, 2019, 2015, 2014 OWHA Provincials Gold Medal: 2018, 2016, 2010 Silver Medal: 2014, 2012, 2011 Bronze Medal: 2009 Final Four: 2019, 2015 * play suspended due to Covid-19 Midget Aeros LLFHL Championships Gold Medal: 2017, 2012, 2009, 2007 Silver Medal: 2010, 2008 Bronze Medal: 2014, 2013, 2011 Final Four: 2015 OWHA Provincials Gold Medal: 2011 Silver Medal: 2017, 2016 Bronze Medal: 2018 Esso Nationals Bronze Medal: 2011 Ontario Winter Games Bronze Medal: 2008 Toronto Aeros Girls Hockey Association 2020-21 No one could have foreseen the extent to which 2020 would bring unexpected and overwhelming changes to every aspect of all of our lives, including the hockey that is such a central focus of our Aeros family. Aside from the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 brought a myriad of other significant changes for the Toronto Aeros, adding to the turmoil. After a significant long-term investment by our organization, our six year affiliation with the North York Storm ended this spring. Months after announcing new coaching staffs for our teams for the 2020-21 season, we were saddened to hear of the sudden long-term health situation of Bob Marshall necessitating a late change of Junior team coaching plans. Two board members and the spouse of two other board members also experienced serious health challenges this year. 2020 has given us all perspective; we can take nothing for granted. While it may be hard to see silver linings amid such chaos and change, it does provide an opportunity to focus on enhancing new skills including mental preparedness and resilience. It is said adversity builds character. The lessons Aeros players learn this season will help them prepare to successfully navigate the curveballs life will inevitably throw their way throughout their lives. Incredible change happens in your life when you take control of what you do have power over, instead of craving control of what you don’t. Perhaps Deepak Chopra said it best: “All great changes are preceded by chaos”. While the 2020-21 season is certainly not unfolding as any of us would wish, we do have three enormously positive changes for TAGHA to celebrate this season. We have now increased access to more of our own ice contracts, including dedicated dressing room facilities for both teams at Vaughan Sports Village. In doing so, we not only mitigated our previous biggest threat of ice vulnerability, we also reduced costs. We are also particularly proud to welcome a record high 8 new members to our U18 team, who were previously developed within our NYS Aeros affiliate teams. And finally, we now have a record number of former Junior Aeros players on our coaching staffs, all three with D1 playing experience. We hope Dayle, Shannon and Whitney will inspire another new generation of Aeros female leadership role models going forward. On behalf of the Toronto Aeros Girls Hockey Association, I would like to thank all of our dedicated team staff and volunteers, and association staff and board members for the investment they all make in support of our athletes on and off the ice. This year, our coaching teams deserve a special commendation for their impressive recruiting success in the midst of tremendous uncertainty. We sincerely hope our players will have great memories of their Aeros experience, and we wish you all continued success in hockey and life, this season and beyond. Sincerely, Deb Kennedy Toronto Aeros Girls Hockey Association President Toronto Aeros Girls Board of Directors: Deb Kennedy President Hockey Association Lou Vedovat Vice-President Mark Riseley Treasurer Ross Hough Secretary Ralph Aiello Board member The Toronto Aeros Girls Hockey Association is registered as a non-profit organization. 1 Toronto Aeros Girls Hockey Association 2020-21 Contents page Toronto Aeros Association Board Introduction 1 Deb Kennedy President & Education Advisor Deb has been an Aeros Board Member since 2012. Deb’s tenure began Toronto Midget Aeros 4 in 2006 with her girls’ start as Aeros, when then-President Ani Ashwin mentored her in the NCAA recruiting process. Once her daughters went # Player Pos. on to play at Harvard and Yale, her role continued to grow through word of mouth within and beyond our Association. Deb developed a roadmap 4 Shayne Desjardins D 5 and various tools and checkpoints to help Aeros successfully achieve 5 Emily Ancimer D 5 timely SAT targets and navigate the process to find their best fit. Since 2008, Deb has led annual Education Seminars for us and several other 6 Alexandra Currie F 5 organizations, and provides individualized advising for our ath- 8 Sarah Muxlow F 6 letes. Deb is a valuable resource, given her long track record in advising hundreds of athletes in all aspects of the U.S. university 11 Karianne Engelbert F 6 selection and admission process. Deb and Lou work closely together to 14 Beats Tura D 6 help Aeros who aspire to NCAA play have all the ongoing knowledge, advice and support needed to overcome obstacles and realize 16 Neely Van Volsen F 7 opportunities to reach their goals. Deb has also been Managing Editor of 17 Marley Bursey F 7 our Media Guide for the past 14 years. 18 Jamie Shulman D 7 Lou Vedovat Executive V.P. & Academic Advisor 19 Ashley Delahey F 8 Lou has moved into the V.P. role this season after coaching with the Aeros for 13 seasons as well as serving on the Board for many years. Lou’s portfolio 20 Maya Menezes D 8 includes procurement of apparel and equipment, and team registration, 22 Taylor Delahey F 8 and he has produced our annual video tribute to Graduating Aeros for the past 15 years. In addition, Lou also continues to serve as Academic Advisor 30 Ella Buonaguro G 9 for our teams. Lou assists our players with conversations with university 31 Paige Hoogendam G 9 coaches, and helps keep them on track to meet entry requirements. Lou can proudly say that due to his efforts, more than a few of our less-scholarly 61 Peyton Wise F 9 Aeros players have made the grade and gone on to University careers. 87 Dayton O’Donoghue F 10 Mark Riseley Treasurer 93 Mackenzie Lothian D 10 Mark’s involvement with the Aeros family began in 2009 when his Team staff 11 daughter Kristi began her time as a 3 year Aero. Mark’s first Aeros volunteer role was in assisting in various aspects of production of the Aeros Toronto Junior Aeros 12 Media Guide. Over the years, his involvement in that area increased, and he has served as Art Director and Production Manager of our Media Guide # Player Pos. since 2015. Mark joined the TAGHA Board as Treasurer in 2016, and has 5 Avry Pedersen F 13 contributed greatly to instituting strong financial processes and controls to ensure a smooth annual audit. 11 Elissa Burton D 13 Ross Hough Secretary & Past President 13 Taya Leonard F 13 In 2010, Ross’s daughter Taylor joined the Aeros family, which marked 14 Charlie Hallett D 14 the beginning of his volunteer efforts for TAGHA. His first role was as 16 Ashley Adams F 14 chair for the annual Aeros Gala, which became a long-term effort. Ross joined the TAGHA Board in 2015, and served as President for the past 17 Brooklyn Brooks D 14 four seasons. Ross’s incredible time investment over the past several 18 Isabella Greco F 15 years, wearing many hats on behalf of TAGHA, is noteworthy. Beyond his involvement in his official Board role, he has also contributed 19 Zoe Leas F 15 significantly to the organization serving as Aeros Holiday Tournament 21 Molly Roy Barron D 15 Chair, Sponsorship acquisition, uniforms procurement, and securing and managing our ice contracts. 23 Rylee Hogan F 16 24 Madeline Laird F 16 Ralph Aiello V.P. Hockey Operations Following several years as a highly successful Aeros Head Coach in the 35 Dominique Chuaqui G 16 mid to late 2000 decade, and ongoing involvement in the Silent Auction 71 Keyara Nelson F 17 fundraiser at our Annual Gala in the interim, Ralph officially rejoined 79 Makenna Chokelal D 17 TAGHA as V.P. Hockey Operations last season. He was then elected to the Board in 2020. As a long time fan and student of hockey, Ralph has 86 Katy McKenna F 17 extensive experience as both a player and coach. After graduating from Team staff 18 NCAA New England College as an All-American athlete and leading scorer (where he also played with Lou), Ralph played pro hockey in Europe and the U.S. For the past 20 years, Ralph has coached AAA boys and AA Aeros Alumnae IBC girls.