The Char-Lan Junior B Rebels have had over 30 years of eventful history. In 1979, they moved on from their former Junior C label and began their journey into the Junior B hockey franchise. Stewart Fourney assumed the role as Manager and President; John Chafee as their Vice-President; Earle Sandilands as Treasurer; Leo Major as Secretary; as well as Milton MacDonald, Ian Macintosh, Bryan McKenzie, Alex MacDonald, and Alex Spink as co-founders. As the Charlottenburgh Township Recreation Centre opened its doors to their newly expanded venue, the Rebels began their first season as a Junior B team. Their first few seasons saw the players getting used to the learning curve the higher level of hockey presented them, and a few years into the new league they began to show what a small-town team was capable of. In 1986 the Rebels beat out the South Ottawa Canadians to win the EOJBHL league championship, being the first team from Glengarry County to do so. 1986 also saw the Rebels as champions in the annual Boxing Day tournament between the top two teams in the division. The Rebels earned the title of the St. Lawrence division champions in ’88-’89 and ’01-’02, and in ’95-’96 they further embellished their title by going on to win the Rideau-St. Lawrence division championship as well.
The Rebels have since come a long way. The team has brought a strong sense of pride to the community. The Rebels have seen generations go through the ranks of their players, with original ’79-’80 rebels player Kenton Spink watching his sons Tylor and Tyson play through the ’07-’08 season. Many former Rebels can now be seen skating on CJHL, OHL, Division 1 (USA), College, ECHL, AHL, and NHL ice. Former Rebel Kent McDonell went on to play for the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets, and now plays professionally in Sweden. Despite EJOHL player age restrictions changing the landscape of the team, the Rebels spirit still runs strong in the players and the fans. Children trying out their first pair of hockey skates can look up and see years’ worth of roster banners hanging proudly from the arena ceiling. Loyal mitten-clad fans and hockey parents clutch Tim Hortons coffees and cheer on their team through the wins and the losses. No matter how faded a Rebels jacket may be, the memories it holds will certainly last a lifetime. The first Rebels program sums up the attitude of the team nicely: “Looking ahead, one can only see greater things in the future; both for the Township and the Rebels.” Win or lose, the Char-Lan Rebels will continue to bring the community closer through the love of the game of hockey.
