Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-10-20, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1999. From the sidelines Violence, money in hockey’s bank a BMG recreation board Minor hockey seeks rebate By Hugh Nichol Lloyd Percival, a noted Cana­ dian physical fitness expert once stated that the violence in hockey reflects the Canadian people, that our on-ice personality represents the survival of the fittest quality required by our ancestors. True, the contact aspect of hockey allows players to release aggression, fighting is allowed without expulsion, and intimidation has always been an acceptable code of conduct within team strategy. The late 1960s and early 70s will forever be known for the Big Bad Bruins and the Broad Street Bullies reign of terror. Their controlled mayhem style of play won Boston the championship in 1970 and again in I972, while the Dave Schultz merciless beating of the New York Rangers Dale Rolfe is remembered as the turning point in the first of two consecutive Philadelphia Stanley Cup victories. While the NHL did introduce measures to curb the outbreak of bench clearings, stick swingings and gang warfare that forced Ontario Attorney General Roy McMurtry to actually charge several Flyer players with assault following a game at Maple Leaf Gardens a new menace of aggression has emerged. Today the elbow has become the league’s number one weapon. Modern equipment, including the elbow pad, protects but in combination with the speed and strength of the players, the construction of modern arenas with seamless glass and solidly anchored boards and the reckless abandon of the individual it has also led to a rapidly increasing list of serious injuries due to post-concussion syndrome. It has forced retirement upon Pat Lafontaine, Nick Kypreos, and Brett Lindros and only time will tell whether the Leafs Alyn McCauley has made the right decision in resuming his playing career knowing that the next hit could lead to permanent brain damage. While players accept that getting hurt is part of the game it is my opinion that many of the career ending injuries could have been prevented, that at all levels of hockey the players have lost their respect for each other and even worse have forgotten how to protect themselves. Heavily padded from top to bottom they fear no injury, they fail to look for potential danger and continually put themselves in a position to get hurt. While there is no doubt the league wants to rid the game of shots to the head, evidence suggest the NHL is still reluctant to assess penalty. Los Angeles Kings Matt Johnson received only 12 games for a cowardly sucker punch that ended the career of Jeff Beukeboom while Gary Suter sat four games for almost decapitating the Mighty Ducks Paul Kariya. So why doesn’t the league take a zero tolerance attitude towards what is becoming premeditated bounty hunt? The main reason is the conception that violence is money in the bank, a theory not without merit. Following a recent off-ice skirmish between Washington and Chicago that left Hawk coach Lome Molleken with a black left eye and the Capital’s manager George McPhee with a cast on his right wrist The Hockey News editor-in- chief Steve Dryden predicted that the year 2000 expansion Columbus Bluejackets would sell more season ticket packages as a result of the above battle. At least our civilization has evolved from the days of George Forgie. One night Forgie, an old time Eastern League headhunter became involved in a vicious fight with an opponent during the pre­ game warmup. Called before the commissioner of the league both players were fined and suspended, not because of their actions but for starting the incident before all the fans could get to their seats to enjoy it. Brussels minor hockey represen­ tative Jim McDonald attended the Oct. 13 meeting of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Cen­ tre recreation board to ask4’or rebates. After discussion, it was the con­ sensus of the board that a 10 per cent rebate be granted to minor hockey for ice time if total ice invoices exceed $22,000. Secretary-Treasurer Shelly Pryce was asked to determine if there is insurance coverage for a Novice- Midget, three-on-three tournament to be held in Brussels Dec. 27-29. Jeff Clark was hired as a part- time arena employee on a three- month probation period, at a starting rate of $8.50 per hour. Pryce told the board she had looked into federal and provincial grants for student employees. Duane Evans of the Huron Busi­ ness Centre w ll put the board on mailing lists for applications and said he was confident the board could receive a subsidy. The board was told a new com­ pressor for the big refrigerator at the arena was purchased. It was a capital expenditure not in the bud­ get. A review of the pool financial statements show a significant net loss due to vandalism and lost rev­ enues. Pryce was instructed to see if an insurance claim could be made. The family skate party will be Dec. 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Hot­ dogs and donuts will be available. The business Christmas party will be Dec. 11. It was agreed that 300 tickets would be professionally printed for the New Year’s Eve dance. The cost would be $25 per person and would include hor d’oeuvres catered by Lori Trower throughout the evening, a hot beef buffet din­ ner after midnight, champagne fountain and dancing to T.J.’s Party Patrol from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The occasion will require semi-formal attire. Accounts payable totalling $25,000.70 were approved for pay­ ment. The board approved the purchase of a printer for approximately $200 to be used at the arena if Manager Murray McArter obtains a comput­ er from the Brussels village office. George Langlois sold nine adver­ tising signs for around the arena at a cost of $ 133.75 per year. County committee okays paving Wedding (Inniuewviy Sandy Rijkhoff and Ben Terpstra were united in marriage on Saturday, October 24. 1998 at St. James Catholic Church, Seaforth with Father Dino Salvador officating. Bridesmaid of honour was Nicole DeBrabandere of St. Marys. Best man was Dave Fankhauser from Switzerland. Following a reception at the Brussels Inn, the couple spent their honeymoon in Montego Bay, Jamaica and now reside at R.R. 3, Brussels. Sandy and Ben would like to thank their parents and friends for helping make their wedding and first year together so special. Vf SC____________________________________________ Godkin-Blair Skies the limit Racers took to the hills one last time at the Lee farm as the Walton Classic, Oct. 17, closed out the motocross season at the track. By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff It won’t be final until the November meeting of county coun­ cil, but the road committee has rec­ ommended the reconstruction of County Rd. 16 in Grey Twp. The two-year project would be completed at an estimated cost of $1 1/2 million. Some landowners questioned the value of the land which the county would be pur­ chasing and recommendations will be made to the county. Grey Reeve Robin Dunbar said he was pleased by the committee’s approval. “It shows they’re listen­ ing to the people.” Donna Jean Godkin and Cameron Iain Blair were united in marriage on July 31, 1999 at Forest City National Golf Club, London, Ontario, with Rev. James Murray officiating. Donna is the daughter of Marion and Lavern Godkin at R.R. 1, Walton and Cameron is the son of Stella and Ron Blair of Richmond Hill. The matron of honour was Jean Ryan of Stratford, friend of the bride. Bridesmaids were Dianne Godkin of Edmonton, Alberta, Nancy Schmeltzer of Davenport, Florida and Sharon Godkin of R.R.1, Walton, sisters of the bride. The best man was Darren Graham of Bradford, friend of the groom. Groomsmen were Graham Blair, Fraser Blair and Fergus Blair of Richmond Hill, brothers of the groom. Laura and Brent Godkin of R.R. 1, Kirkton, niece and nephew of the bride were the flowergirl and ringbearer. The pianist was Carol Carter of Mitchell and vocalists were Lori Janmaat of Ailsa Craig and Lisa Strong of London. The piper was Bob Thompson of London and the readers were Carol McGregor of Hensall, cousin of the bride and Steven Blair of London, cousin of the groom. A wedding dinner and reception followed the marriage ceremony. The wedding couple now reside in London. Donna and Cameron wish to thank everyone who shared in making this day so special.