Barry Wright/The Independent

Brian Dobbin has joined the Greater Ontario Hockey League’s St. Mary’s Lincolns as an assistant coach.

The Petrolia-born former Mooretown Flag most recently was the head coach of the Elgin Middlesex U18 AAA team in 2024-25.

Dobbin, 59, was a fifth round draft choice of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1984. He was inducted into the Hershey Bears Hall of Fame in 2023.

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Former Sting Sandis Vilmanis has signed a new two-year deal with the NHL’s Florida Panthers. The left-shot power winger was originally a fifth-round pick by the Florida in 2022.

“Sandis is a skilled, competitive young player whose positive attitude and strong work ethic have allowed him to succeed at every opportunity he has earned,” said Panthers General Manager Bill Zito.

Meantime, two other former Sting defencemen have signed two-way NHL contracts. Christian Kyrou has inked a deal with Ottawa and Cam Dineen with Philadelphia.

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The Alvinston Riverhawks and the Wyoming Wranglers both advanced to the playoffs at the recent under-17 tier-two PWSA tournament in Stratford.

The Riverhawks finished third in its division with a record of 1-1-2 losing to the eventual champions from Tavistock in the
playoffs.

Wyoming tied for third in its pool with a record of 1-2-1 bowing to the tournament finalists from Arthur in their playoff game.

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The Corunna Lady Giants under-11 select softball team won silver at a recent tournament in Leamington.

The Giants beat the host team, 9-6 in the semi-finals but lost to LaSalle-Gold in the final.

The Lady Giants also beat the Chatham-Kent Golden Eagles and the LaSalle Athletics-Green squad in the preliminary round.

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Lifelong friends have committed to the Lambton College baseball team.

Brock Lane, a pitcher and outfielder is a member of the Port Lambton Pirates 18u squad while first baseman/outfielder Caleb Rosseel plays for the Pirates’ 22U team.

Off the diamond, both are talented hockey players. Lane had 11 goaltending wins for Komoka of the GOHL last season. Rosseel had 35 points in 35 games with the Mooretown Flags.