The Opeongo Heritage Cup opened at the Paul J. Yakabuski Community Centre on March 29 at 7 p.m. with a special pre-game ceremony to pay tribute to the late Mark Yakabuski, former captain of the Kashubian Griffins. The competing teams lined up at centre ice represented the Kashubian and Irish nations – an appropriate match as Yakabuski’s father was Kashub and his mother was Irish. (Photo above: Sharon Gardiner)
David Shulist, aka “Johnny Kashub,” made a special presentation to the Yakabuski family honouring Mark Yakabuski, aka “Captain Kashub.” The Kashubian Griffins retired his No. 12 jersey and it was presented to the family by Kirk Skebo, now Captain of Team Kashub. April Yakabuski, Mark’s widow, and Matthew Yakabuski, his brother, received a banner with Mark’s name and his No. 12 which was then hung from the rafters in his memory.
April and Matthew Yakabuski with banner, watched by John Yakabuski and David Shulist. Photo: Sharon Gardiner
“Captain Kashub”
Mark James “Yak” Yakabuski passed away last May at the age of 44 years, two years after a freak golf cart accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. An active member of the hockey community, he was an avid player and dedicated coach who inspired many young players. Yakabuski played between 1990 and 1993 with the Ottawa 67’s in the Ontario Hockey League and both the Kanata Valley Lasers and Brockville Braves in the Central Junior Hockey League, and followed his own playing career by coaching in the Stittsville minor hockey system. An article in the Ottawa Sun described him as someone who had “one hundred best friends.”
Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski sang the National Anthem to start things off. The full house demonstrated their approval as the 2019 Opeongo Heritage Cup Tournament began. Honorary Captains for the teams were Mike Walsh (Irish), Tom Burchat (Kashub).
Kashubian Griffins and Irish Shamrocks take to the ice for the Heritage Cup opener. Photo: Sharon Gardiner
As usual this hockey tournament is a real home coming event and it was tough to even find a parking spot for the opening game. It was worth it, though, not just to enjoy the first game between the Irish Shamrocks and Kashubian Griffins, but to witness the pre-game ceremony. The Irish Nation won the first game of the tournament with 5 goals to the Kashub Nation’s 3.
The Algonquin Thunderbirds won the 9 p.m. game against the German Black Hawks with a score of 8 to 5. But as Opeongo Heritage Cup Commissioner Johnny Kashub told The Current today, “Nobody knows where this is going.” Hold on for an exciting weekend.
