Asselstines

Jeff Green | Mar 08, 2007

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Three generations of hockey at the North Frontenac ArenabyJeff Green

You might say the Asselstine family of Hartington has grown up with the North Frontenac Arena.

Cecil and Eldene Asselstine have been involved with the arena since it opened in the mid-seventies. Cecil helped to put together one of the first men’s teams from the Portland Volunteer Firemen. He sat on the original committee for the Gentlemen’s Hockey League and served as chairperson for the League.

When daughter Sherry wanted to play hockey, Cecil put together the first girls’ hockey team out of the arena, and ended up coaching.

Sherry went on to coach with the North Frontenac Minor Hockey Association in the early 80’s, and between 1991 and 1997. In 1998 she was one of the founders of the first Ontario Women’s Hockey Association affiliate at the arena.

Sherry married Larry Van Luven, who has played on various teams as well, and their children Mary and Vanessa grew up playing hockey.

Cecil and Eldene’s son Scott played his minor hockey at the arena. He particularly enjoyed the annual tournament exchanges that took place for many years with Benfield , Maryland . Scott played on three teams that won Ontario provincial championships, and he now plays with the Revell team in the Gentleman’s League.

Scott’s wife Shelley is also a hockey player, and their children Morgan and Joshua play in the North Frontenac Arena as well.

When it became time for the arena to have a facelift, and the Project End Zone fundraising campaign decided to establish the Buy-A-Brick program, the Asselstines were at the front of the line to purchase a family brick to commemorate their dedication to the arena.

Project End Zone will see much needed improvements made to the arena. A fundraising committee is hard at work raising the $530,000 that will be needed to complete the project. $310,000 has been raised thus far. Anyone interested in buying a brick can contact Jim Stinson at 374-2177 or Glenna Asselstine at 374-1448.