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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-11-25, Page 9THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25,1992. PAGE 9. California born Bulls player charges on By Bonnie Gropp The Brussels Bulls Junior "C" team has in its 10 year history drawn talented hockey players from many different areas, but none have come so far as number 5. Eighteen-year-old Alex Motley of Pleasanton, Calif, was spotted at the Chicago Showcase in April by an OHL scout, who asked him to come try out for the Junior "A" Newmarket Royals. As it is with the competitive sports world, the young athlete never even got on the ice. The team scout then told Mark Henry, a scout with the Junior "B" Listowel Cyclones about Alex, but at 5'5" he Long distance player Alex Motely, 18, is a long way from home. The Pleasanton, Calif, native is spending the winter in Brussels as a member of the Brussels Bulls. The personable young athlete has made many friends in the area, including the students at Brussels P.S., where he is volunteering in his spare time. Brussels WOAA Houseleague PeeWees defeated by Zurich Brussels WOAA Houseleague PeeWees didn't fare too well against the visiting Zurich team Saturday night. Brussels player Kevin Mutter, assisted by Corey Campbell and Matt Shortreed was the first to score and Brussels held onto their Belgrave Atoms play tough and beat Goderich 3-1 Aggressive play earned the Bel­ grave Atoms their first win of the season against Goderich in Blyth Saturday night. The team kept the pressure up against Goderich the entire game and controlled much of the play. The few shots Goderich managed TOWNSHIP OF GREY The due date for the final instalment of the 1992 taxes is Monday, November 30th, 1992. Brad Knight Clerk-Treasurer Township of Grey was felt to be too small for the team. Alex then went out to try for the Wingham Ironmen, a Bulls rival team, but an ankle injury hindered his performance. In the meantime, Bulls Assistant Manager Art Houghton heard about the speedy forward. The Bulls coaching staff took a chance and signed him, though his injury kept him from tryouts. It was an opportunity that the twice disappointed Motley will never forget. "If it wasn't for Houghton I would have gone on to somewhere else again. I was hurt through the Bulls' tryouts, but Mr. Houghton made it possible for me to stay here." lead until the second period when Zurich shot two into the net. Brussels never managed to catch up but upped their score to two with a goal by Scott Clarkson assisted by Tanner Banks in the third inning. Final score was 6-2 for Zurich. to get on goal where easily handled by goalie Curtis Knight. Final score for the game was 3-1. Goals were scored by Justin Camp­ bell, Matthew Cameron, assisted by Matthew Snow and Tim Robinson, and Kevin Hopf, assisted by Tim Robinson. Though the cuts were frustrating for the good-natured young man, they haven't crushed his indomitat- able spirit. When asked if he has found his size a problem, he chuck­ les, saying, "I don't, but I guess other people do." Bulls manager Hugh Nichol says Motley's biggest assest is his speed and skating ability. "That's why we use him to kill penalties a lot." Mr. Nichol noted that while Mot­ ley's size is not a concern for the Bulls, he is here on reputation and his persistent injuries have held him back from showing what he can do. "His injury has nothing to do with his size, but he wants so much to prove his stuff that he won't give in to it," says Mr. Nichol. Motley never even thought of hockey until sixth grade when he acted as goalie during practice ses­ sions for a friend. "I did an okay job, I guess, because he (the friend) said I should play." What he lacked in experience he made up for in tenacity. "I used to practise my puck handling around the house until I started breaking things," said the youth. "When I did Mom would give me a penalty." The wear and tear on the furni­ ture was lessened when at 15 Mot­ ley got a job at a rink as an ice guard and practised there after hours. The irony is that while it was the idea of playing goal that sparked the determined young man's inter­ est, he never actually played goalie on ice. "Since I'm smaller than everyone I got a lot of hand-me down equipment," he said. "It was all forward equipment." Motley continually works to improve his sport, particularly on improving control of his wrist shot. Right handed by nature, he has practised using his left in daily rou­ tines to gain more strength and con­ trol. While it must have been hard for Motley's parents to let their only child leave for a trip so far from home, he says they are very proud of what he has accomplished. "They saw how hard I worked and what I gave up to pursue this," he said. Motley says he keeps himself busy so he won't experience home- sicknessnes though his first phone bill was "nuts", he noted. However, he has found a surrogate family with Clayton and Ruth Sauvd, with whom he boards. "I am very lucky to be staying here," he said. For their part, the Sauvds, whom he calls Nana and Grandpa, are delighted with their new guest. "He is a wonderful, young man," says Ruth. "It's been a treat to have him stay with us." When he's not practising or play­ ing hockey, Motley has been help­ ing at the Brussels Public School bar coding books in the library. When asked what he enjoys most about the job, the ready smile appears again. "It's a lot of fun. I get a lot of attention," he adds, referring to the students who enjoy talking to someone who comes from so far away and is a member of the popular Bulls. Little (Darlings ffCatr S tudio Hairstyling for men and women Call Karen 477 Turnberry St. N. Brussels 887-6942 Motley's plans for the future are somewhat uncertain though he is considering attending school in Alaska. What he does know is that he is enjoying his time in Brussels and being a part of its Junior "C" team. CHRISTMAS POWER SKATING SCHOOL Dec. 21,22,23, 28, 29, 30 Listowel Arena Times: 10:00 -10:50 a.m. 11:00-11:50 a.m. Cost: $45.00 COACHES: CAROL & KEVIN WHEELER For more Information call: 747-5264 725-4416 Registration forms available at Listowel and Brussels Arenas Registration Deadline: December 4,1992