He Has Shown Up for 8,892 Games. Now Langton Needs to Show Up for Him.

87 Years Old. 8,892 Games. Langton's Roger Demeester Needs Your Vote.

There are volunteers in every community who give quietly and ask for nothing in return.

Roger Demeester has been one of those people in Langton since 1971.

This weekend, he needs the community to give something back.

55 Years and Counting

Roger was 32 years old when he helped found the Langton and Area Minor Hockey Association in 1971. He has not stopped since.

In the 55 years that followed he served as President, Vice President, coach, Referee in Chief, timekeeper, announcer, and working director. He has held almost every role a hockey association can ask of a person and has shown up for every single one of them.

By the end of February 2026 he has worked 8,892 games.

Let that number sink in. Not 892. Not 1,892. Eight thousand, eight hundred and ninety two games. At 87 years old, he is still going.

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A Career That Was Recognized Long Before This Moment

The hockey community has recognized Roger before. Multiple times.

He received Ontario Minor Hockey Association Service Awards in 1981 and 1993. In 1988 he was awarded the Canada Celebration Olympic Medal for Service. In 1993 he hit the 4,000 game milestone and was recognized by Ron McLean on Hockey Night in Canada. In 1999 he was honoured at the OMHA convention in Toronto. In 2014 he was inducted into the Norfolk Sports Hall of Recognition.

And through all of it he kept showing up. Kept keeping time. Kept announcing. Kept working.

Because that is who Roger Demeester is.

Why Your Vote Matters Right Now

Long's Timber Mart nominated Roger for the 2026 Timber Mart Local Leaders Initiative, a national program that recognizes community volunteers from coast to coast.

Out of nominees across the entire country, Roger is one of the top four finalists. He has already secured $8,000 for the Langton and Area Minor Hockey Association.

Now there is $10,000 more on the table. And it comes down to public votes.

Every dollar won goes directly toward keeping registration costs down for young families in Langton. This year the association already has the lowest registration fees in the area. Winning this grant keeps that going and helps bring more kids back to the game.

"It is becoming harder for young families to afford extra sports like minor hockey," the nomination reads. "This would help lower the cost over the next couple years and hopefully increase registration numbers which have been lower than normal."

That is what this vote is really about. Not a contest. Not a prize. Kids staying in the game because their families can afford it.

How to Vote

Voting is open now until June 29, 2026.

You can vote once per day. Every vote counts.

Vote here: timbermart.ca/en/local-leaders

Read his bio. Share this article. Vote every day until June 29.

Roger has spent 55 years giving to this community without asking for anything. This is the easiest thing we can do to give something back.

Community Partner Spotlight: Walker Mortgages

Families across Norfolk and Haldimand work hard to keep their kids in sports. When the budget gets tight, the activities are often the first thing to go.

Walker Mortgages works with families across the region to build mortgage strategies that free up room in the budget and reduce financial stress at home.

Take two minutes and check out the free Mortgage Gameplan quiz at www.adamwalkermortgages.com/my-mortgage-game-plan. No pressure. Just a clearer picture of where you stand.

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Want to nominate someone from your community for a feature? Send us a DM or email [email protected].