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The Cooksville Hockey Association initially began in 1945-46 as the Cooksville Athletic Club and later changed to the Cooksville Sports Club. The club was founded by Jack Belleghem, Albert Belford, Jim Newman, Gordon Harris, Charlie Copeland, Carson Crothers and Jim Kingsbury.
There was no local league at that time, so the one team, a Minor Midget team, coached by "TAIT" Courtney, was entered into the Toronto Hockey League. The following season, they were able to enter four teams into the T.H.L., but in 1947 the T.T.H.L. (now the M.H.L.) was formed and now we had teams playing in a league in our own area.
In the early 50's the Sports Club became the Cooksville Hockey Association with Dr. A.W. Wood as its president. Art was responsible for the design and introduction of the mouthguard into minor hockey. He manufactured them and insisted that Cooksville teams wear them. This was in 1954 and by 1961 the league made the wearing of mouth protection mandatory. This mouth guard evolved into the face protection now worn throughout the world.
In 1967 the M.H.L. requested the areas to adopt Association colours and Cooksville took the colours of the local high school, the burgundy and white, which are still worn today.
The Skills Development Program is now in it's third year of operation offering a hockey development program for physically or mentally challenged athletes. The age level ranges from five on up while offering individual instruction and competition with other programs in Canada and the USA. New members and volunteers welcome.
The Pre-Tyke Hockey School began in 1976 with Brian Wright as the Head Coach and still offers skating and skill development for five and six year olds. In 1988, the "New Concept" teams were given to the areas and Cooksville received the NAVAJO as their "A" level. Cooksville Hockey now offers minor hockey from Tyke to Juvenile as well as an Annual Christmas Tournament.
M.H.L. Hall of Fame members from Cooksville are "Marsh" Marshall, Jack Belleghem, Dr. A.W. Wood, Al Hicks, Ed Hobley and the late Joe Brooks. At the end of last season, Frank Schryver was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his valued contributions to hockey in Mississauga. Bob Sicinski played his minor hockey with Cooksville before turning pro by joining the Chicago Cougars of the W.H.A. in 1970 - 71.
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