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EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the sixth of seven profiles we're running this week to highlight this year's Midland Sports Hall of Fame inductees. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the induction ceremony scheduled for last month has been postponed until September of 2022. However, the Town of Midland has declared September to be Sports Hall of Fame Month.
Today, we profile the Gerry Asselin and Randy Butineau, both inductees in the builder category.
Gerry Asselin began working with the Midland Flyers Jr. C Hockey Club in 2007. Initially, he was the assistant coach, becoming the general manager shortly thereafter.
With the passing of Hugh Robertson, the Midland Flyers needed someone to step up and continue to operate the team or risk losing the franchise. With the close proximity of the Penetang Kings the very real possibility existed that if the Flyers folded they would never be given another franchise in the Jr. C loop.
Gerry stepped up and took on the role of president. He brought on Randy Butineau as the vice president to assist in the operation.
Between the two of them, they have served the operation for the past 14 years, the longest management team in the history of junior hockey in Midland.
Gerry is at the rink two hours before every game performing mundane, yet essential, duties such as filling the water bottles along with securing granola bars and fresh fruit for the players.
Before the game, he can be found out front selling admission tickets and programs. Once that is completed, he is back in the dressing room helping in any way he can. Randy's vice president position has evolved to include general manager and director of hockey operations.
He has volunteered for bingo nights and has raised funds by acquiring new sponsors to support the team. Further, he has spearheaded community events such as a car wash for tornado victims, the Race Against Drugs program in cooperation with the local police force, the Salvation Army Toy Drive, Radio For Radiology and other team functions in the community, including marching in the Santa Claus parade and more recently organizing alumni games.
Both of these gentlemen spend countless hours during the hockey season pursuing their duties for the team. In the off-season they attend league meetings, contact potential players for the team and speak with scouts from upper-tier teams that may be interested in drafting one of the current players.
The Midland Flyers hockey operations are never far from Gerry and Randy.
