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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-03-06, Page 10ports Madill curlers advance PRINTING IS OUR BUSINESS • Colour • Business Printing Forms • Posters • Brochures • Letterheads • Flyers • Envelopes • Carbonless • Business Forms Cards • Labels WE CAN DO IT ALL! A COMPLETE PRINTING SERVICE • 0 BLYTH PRINTING INC. BLYTH 523-9211 STOREWIDE INVENTORY BLOWOUT to Diamonds Gemstones Gold Li Watches Giftware NEW STORE HOURS: Monday - Friday 9 am - 5:30 pm Saturdays 9 am - 2 pm • PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1996 Triple A hockey comes to Huron-Perth in 1996-97 Hockey fans in Huron and Perth Counties will be treated to a new level of play in the 1996-97 season, as Triple 'A' hockey is coming to the area. While the Huron-Perth area had already been recognized as a Triple 'A' zone, as set up by the Ontario Hockey Federation and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, it was not until this year that the decision was made to activate this level of hockey. "We initially saw a need," explained Charlie Akey, president of the Huron-Perth Triple 'A' Lakers Hockey Association, as players from the two counties were playing in different Triple 'A' zones to play at the higher level. "We decided to hold some meetings and see if we could garner some support in Huron-Perth." Meetings are being held with representatives from the different centres who could contribute to the league, and according to Joe Lobb, a director of the newly established hockey association, a good percentage of centres are being represented. He noted that while there were about five interested parties at the first meeting, there were 15 at the second, and 30 at the third. With 30 centres represented in the Huron-Perth zone, Brussels, Elma Logan, Wallace, Embro, Tavistock, Mitchell, Normanby, Goderich, Drayton, Ripley, Tees- water, Seaforth, Blyth, Clinton, Stephen Township, Bayfield, Belgrave, Clifford, Belmore, St. Marys, Minto, Listowel, Hensall, Howick, Lucknow, Exeter, Zurich, Milverton, Mildmay and Wingham, Lobb stressed that Triple 'A' hockey will be open to all to come and try out for the teams. "This is your hockey program. This Triple 'A' belongs to each of those centres." The F. E. Madill Secondary School boys curling team advanced to the Huron Perth Championship in Seaforth. The boys curling team played five games in the Huron Championship, held in Vanastra. Madill won its first two draws against St. Anne's of Clinton and the Central Huron "B" team from Clinton to advance to Wednesday's play. On Wednesday Madill posted another win against the Central Huron "B" team to reach the A-site For many years he said, Huron and Perth have had numerous • levels of hockey for local players, and "this is just another extension." Triple 'A' hockey for Huron- Perth, which has been recognized by the OMHA and the WOAA, will provide a higher level of hockey competition for the areas, and allow the players who make the team to play at a higher skill level. Some centres have expressed conerns about losing one or two top players, Lobb said, and added that while this is a concern, those players will at least have a chance to "play up" to their skill level. Akey offered some statistics on how Triple 'A' hockey can benefit players who have the goal of progressing in the hockey ranks. He noted that of the 313 players picked in the OHL draft for 1995, 134 were from the Midget Triple 'A' level, while 95 came from Tier II 'A', and 59 came from the Junior B system. The higher skill level, he said, will give players in all the centres "something to shoot for." With the advanced level of play, with team members from all over the two counties, Lobb noted the games will also be of interest to fans, as Triple 'A' is "an entertaining level of hockey." In answer to concerns that the Triple 'A' level can be expensive for parents, Akey explained that registration has been set at $600, but with two fundraisers the executive will co-ordinate, parents will have the opportunity to lower the registration costs. He also answered concerns about drive time to games, noting that now local teams travel to Kincardine, Mount Forest, Durham and Port Elgin, and in Triple 'A' they will be going to London, Elgin-Middlesex, Lamb- ton County, Chatham and Windsor. "So, they'll just be driving in a different direction." With the constitution and bylaws final. The Central Huron "A" team then drowned Madill to put the . Mustangs in the B side final against Seaforth, whom they defeated, to advance to the Huron Perth Championship. Member of the rink are skip - Allen de Vos, Craig Fair, second Michael McBurney, lead David McBurney and alternate Ryan Moffatt. The rink is coached by Susan Fair and Nancy Corrigan. recently put in place for the Huron- Perth Triple 'A' Lakers, the team is now in the process of sending out notifications for spring evaluation camps, which will be open to all in the area. For the 1996-97 season, the Lakers will have Minor and Major Atom, PeeWee and Bantam teams, along with one Midget team, and they will be using Clinton as home ice. Although the teams will be in their inaugural year, Akey is confident that the Lakers will put some good squads on the ice. "We think we can be competitive if we get a decent turnout," he said, adding that he feels the needed numbers will come forward, as he has been receiving phone calls at home from parents and players. Both players and coaches are being sought for the inaugural season of the Huron-Perth Triple 'A' Lakers. Spring evaluations for players will be held in two locations for the 1996-97 season. At the Clinton arena, evaluations will be held on Sunday, April 7 as follows: Minor Atom, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Major Atom, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Minor PeeWee, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Major PeeWee, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday, April 14, evaluations at the Clinton Arena will be held for Minor Atoms from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Major Atom, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Minor Pee Wee, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Major Pee Wee, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The third evaluation to be held at the Clinton Arena will' be on Sunday, April 21, with Minor Atoms taking to the ice from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Other times for April 21 are: Major Atom, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Minor PeeWee, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m; Major PeeWee, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. At the Seaforth Arena, evalua- tions will be held on Saturday, March 30, for: Minor Bantam, 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.; Major Ban- tam, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Midget, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. On Sunday, March 31, evalua- tions at the Seaforth Arena will be held as follows: Minor Bantam, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Major Bantam, 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.; Midget, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Evaluations will also be held on Tuesday, April 2, at the Seaforth Arena as follows: Minor Bantam, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Major Bantam, 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Midget, 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Players must pre-register for the evaluations and the cost is $10 per ice session. Those seeking more information on the Triple 'A' Lakers, or who would like to pre-register for the spring evaluations, can contact: Art and Cindy Larivee, 345-2426 (Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.); Charlie Akey, 527-0033; Teri Patterson, 526-7385. JOHN McKERCHER CONSTRUCTION LTD. • backhoeing • bulldozing • loading & hauling • sand, gravel and topsoil R.R. #2 Bluevale 887-9061 if busy 887-9999