You can’t blame Evan Breckles for playing with a heavy heart this week.
The second-year Stouffville Spirit forward is mourning the loss of his grandfather, Bob Breckles Sr., who passed away on Christmas Day. A celebration of life will take place Saturday at St. James Presbyterian Church in Stouffville.
Link to obituary:
https://obituaries.thestar.com/obituary/john-breckles-1092523678
Evan’s grandmother, Barbara Breckles, died June 12.
Longtime Stouffville/Ballantrae residents Barb and Bob were big-time Spirit fans long before son Bob Jr. worked in the hockey department for the Jr. A team and grandsons Evan and his big brother Jacob played for the Spirit. They were fixtures in the stands at the Stouffville Arena and took road trips to follow the team.
“I remember them always coming to my games,” Evan said this week, “and taking me and my siblings (Jacob and sister Maggie) to Spirit games to see the older guys play. It was really cool.”
Those Spirit players included family friends and neighbours Trevor and Josh Carrick.
Evan, 19, remembers chasing his brother around the family’s backyard rink in boots as a three-year-old.
He’d get skates of his own and eventually play a year up during three seasons with Stouffville Clippers teams then five years of AAA with the Markham Waxers.
He returned to Stouffville for two years of AA before playing his final year of minor hockey with the AAA Oshawa Generals U18 team.
Then onto his hometown Spirit in 2023.
Breckles, whose 16 goals is tied for the Spirit lead with Riley Pope, was one of the smaller kids during those early years of minor hockey.
His game changed when he suddenly grew from 5-foot-4 to his current 6-foot-3, largely between Grade 9 and 11.
“I would play more on the outside; perimeter hockey as a small guy,” he said, “more of a skilled guy. But once I got bigger and stronger I became more physical and would take the puck to the net.”
The offensive production is another story. He’s already surpassed last season’s totals for goals and points.
Breckles built a “little shooting set-up in the backyard” to work on his shot.
“I was shooting every day last summer, learning accuracy and working on angles to the net. It’s really helped me.”
THE SCHEDULE
The fifth-place Spirit (20-13-0-4) have three straight games, all at home, against opponents from the tightly packed OJHL East:
Jan. 9, Haliburton County (26-10-0-1) at Stouffville, 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 11, Wellington (24-11-0-1) at Stouffville, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16, St. Michael’s (19-14-1-3) at Stouffville, 7:30 p.m.
MEDIA
All Spirit games are broadcast on 102.9FM whistlefm.ca radio and FloHockey TV.
https://www.flohockey.tv/leagues/10826657-ontario-junior-hockey-league-ojhl (subscription required).
COLLEGE BOYS
Three members of the Spirit played in a new series pitting teams of 20-year-old, graduating players from the OJHL against Ontario University Athletics teams.
Captain David Paglia, Riley Pope and Lachlan Wells represented the Spirit in a 2-0 loss to Toronto Metropolitan University at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto Saturday.
Riley Pope, Lachlan Wells and David Paglia at Toronto Metropolitan University Saturday. (OJHL Images photo)
Spirit equipment manager Joey O Callaghan was selected to the team staff for the event.
“It was a lot of fun, a great experience and great day,” said Paglia, who represented the OJHL earlier this season on an all-star team at the Battle of Ontario Jr. A tournament in Smiths Falls. “The TMU staff let us know what the day in the life of a U SPORTS hockey player was like. I thought they did a good job of answering all our questions.”
The King City product came away impressed by both the facilities and staff at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
“The fitness facility was amazing, especially the recovery area,” he said. “They offer a lot to attend to their athletes with the personnel they have and facilities, including the cold tubs.”
Spirit This Week is sponsored by Farmer Jack’s in Stouffville and Sharon.
