Reuben Villagracia

Thunder Bay

Sports Editor at The Chronicle-Journal

Born and raised in Thunder Bay. Views are my own. Sports editor at The Chronicle-Journal newspaper. Follow @cjsports_tb for scores, story links.

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Articles

Flett wins 1st match, medal

3 weeks ago | chroniclejournal.com | Reuben Villagracia

Keenan Flett plans to savour his silver medal earned at the Quebec Open last weekend. The Thunder Bay boxer, representing the Underground Gym, fell short of his ultimate goal of gold, but the runner-up position represents the first win in his budding amateur career. “This weekend was amazing,” the 16-year-old Flett said Tuesday while en route from Quebec City. “Third-round stoppage in semifinals. It’s big.”Flett now sits with an 1-2 record as a fighter in the 63-kilogram class.
Chill bring new look to home debut

1 month ago | chroniclejournal.com | Reuben Villagracia

Different season, different structure, yet the Thunder Bay Chill men’s soccer team still hopes the support from the fans doesn’t change. They’ll find out tonight. The Chill play their first home games of their modified schedule tonight and Sunday afternoon at Chapples Park against Winnipeg Bonivital. Action kicks off at 7 p.m. tonight.
Gymnast takes next step to NCAA level

1 month ago | chroniclejournal.com | Reuben Villagracia

Even when Zara Reboks was a new face at Ultimate Gymnastics nine years ago, head coach Cheronne Viljoen noticed a spark. It was a spark that fostered a key discipline: Setting goals and building on them. “At a young age, Zara was very serious about what she wanted to do, even like new skills, perfecting skills,” Viljoen recalled.
Bonot rink changes things up

2 months ago | chroniclejournal.com | Reuben Villagracia

Trevor Bonot’s rink that will look to regain the Northern Ontario men’s curling championship next season has made a change on the front end. Last week, the Bonot foursome from the Fort William Curling Club announced that lead Kurtis Byrd would be replaced by Jamie Childs. Byrd made the decision to step away from the team. “He is dealing with some elbow issues and wants to take care of that and plans on skipping a team next year,” Bonot said of Byrd in an email interview.
Fighting Walleye make impact on city, district at grassroots level

2 months ago | chroniclejournal.com | Reuben Villagracia

As the Kam River Fighting Walleye prepare for the Superior International Junior Hockey League Bill Salonen Cup final, there will be plenty of fans, namely elementary school students, who are aware of their exploits. That’s what making appearances across the community can do for a profile of a hockey team.
Thunderwolves face busy offseason

Mar 6, 2025 | chroniclejournal.com | Reuben Villagracia

Even after enduring two gruelling playoff rounds, the Lakehead Thunderwolves’ tougher challenge is happening now as the off-season recruiting period is proving to be a competitive one. The Thunderwolves, who were knocked out in the OUA men’s hockey West division semifinals last weekend, are turning their full attention to filling in the roster holes left by four of five key seniors.
Clouthier chooses Lakehead

Mar 4, 2025 | chroniclejournal.com | Reuben Villagracia

Sara Clouthier ultimately saw too many family ties to Lakehead University. Thunder Bay’s top high school girls basketball prospect made her choice of where she will spend her varsity career official on Monday, signing with the hometown Thunderwolves. “The roots run deep at Lakehead,” Clouthier said after a photo op and media conference on Monday at Hammarskjold High School, where she has led the Vikings’ powerhouse girls hoops program for the past five years.
Lakehead's hockey season ends in Toronto

Mar 1, 2025 | chroniclejournal.com | Reuben Villagracia

Kai Edmonds made 28 saves as the Toronto Metropolitan (TMU) Bold ended the Lakehead Thunderwolves’ season Saturday with a 3-0 win at Mattamy Athletic Centre. TMU wins the best-of-three OUA West division men’s hockey semifinal in two games and will next face crosstown rival Toronto Varsity Blues. Ian Martin, Liam Ross and Joseph Ianniello scored for the Bold. Lakehead goaltender Christian Cicigoi finished with 27 stops.
Kelly leaves Team McCarville

Mar 1, 2025 | chroniclejournal.com | Reuben Villagracia

Krista McCarville is once again in search of a shooting partner at third for her women’s curling team. The current Northern Ontario women’s champions from Thunder Bay announced on their social media page Friday that Andrea Kelly would be leaving the team after playing at the vice position the past two seasons. “After two seasons with Team McCarville, Andrea has decided to step away from the team, returning to play at home and spend more time with family,” McCarville and her rink wrote on Friday.
LU loses on disputed OT goal

Feb 27, 2025 | chroniclejournal.com | Reuben Villagracia

Win or lose, the Lakehead Thunderwolves seem to find themselves in tight playoff situations with plenty of drama. Spencer Shugrue scored at 12:59 of overtime as the Toronto Metropolitan (TMU) Bold pulled out a 3-2 win over the Thunderwolves in Game 1 of their best-of-three OUA West division men's hockey playoff series at Fort William Gardens on Wednesday night.