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