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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-02-09, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2000. Continuing his tradition By Hugh Nichol Don Cherrey has literally become a legend in his own time. Colourful, con­ troversial, and blessed with a call-them-as-he-sees-them attitude Cherry has experienced success in almost every aspect of life. A sixteen-year playing career highlighted by a one-game NHL playoff appearance with Boston in 1955, six years in the NHL coaching fraternity including a Coach of the Year award in 1976, a number one best selling biography Grapes, A Vintage View of Hockey, a never- ending series of Rock 'em Sock 'em hockey videos and finally world­ wide recognition on Hockey Night in Canada’s Coaches Comer. There is however one thing Cherrey himself admits that if he had it to do all over again he wouldn’t. His one failure? Obviously the complete ineptness displayed by his latest playtoy the Mississauga IceDogs. Cherrey is co-owner of the Dogs, a second-year team in the Ontario Hockey League whose level of mediocrity is nothing short of embarrassing. Last season Mississauga iced a team based on Cherrey’s philosophy of rough and tumble and absolutely no Europeans. The result was a four- win season and the worst record in Canadian Major Junior Hockey. This season the IceDogs re­ evaluated their personnel and basically started over. Geoff Ward, a name familiar to Midwestern Ontario hockey centres for his involvement in hockey schools and coachmg clinics has been hired to turn things around. And while his signing brings stability to the franchise the results remain the same. I have experienced the growing pains of an expansion team both as a player and in management. The first instance occurred in 1973 when I signed with the Milverton Selects, a founding member of the OHA Group 5 Jr. D loop alongside entries from Wingham, Walkerton, Port Elgin and Arthur. Although the Atom Reps down 2 games The Brussels Atom Reps are playing the second round of playdowns against Drayton. The series could prove to be quite short and not in their favour unless they pulled off a win on Tuesday night. Game one was a week ago Tuesday in Brussels. Adam McClure scored in the first period with assists going to Matt White and Andrew McDonald. Zurich tops Novices 4-3 The Brussels Novices started the first round of playoffs, taking on Zurich at home, Feb. 5. Down 1-0 late into the second, Evan Ducharme’s goal attained a short-lived tie as Zurich scored two-minutes later. Tyler Deitner assisted Ducharme. Zurich went up by two at 14:32 of the third before Wade Stephen­ talent level was glorified Juvenile the league survived and basically evolved into the present day Western Jr. C Division. Ross McCall and Chris Exel were teammates of mine and while our season could not be considered successful I played well enough to be signed by Arthur under the goaltender assistance program for the playoffs. The Eagles surprised everyone by not only reaching the league final but by extending the Wingham Ironmen and league scoring champion Gerry Wheeler to seven games. That series laid the initial foundation for what became one of our areas greatest rivalries. The following winter I signed with the first year Seaforth Centennaires of the Western Jr. D. League where, unlike the previous season that was expansion in every sense, I was now playing in what many considered the strongest Junior grouping in the province. Much of the team’s success was due to the play of fellow Brussels Minor Hockey product Rick McDonald who supplied the Centennaires with the presence of a modem day Chris Pronger. His leadership and take­ charge attitude helped lead the Cents to a fourth out of nine place finish and a trip to the league semi­ finals. After my playing days ended I became indirectly involved in the establishing of the Junior and Intermediate teams in Brussels. The reason for volunteering was straightforward. To provide a place for local players to continue their careers without being forced to leave home. And while the innocence of the thought has been pushed aside by the almighty dollar, the idea remains pure. In both situations involving the Bulls and Crusaders local hockey supporters grew tired of supplying area teams with Brussels minor hockey products and the teams simply became an extension of our centre’s hockey program. And unlike Cherrey who has second thoughts I have continued my tradition of becoming involved by signing this past season as an assistant with the Wingham Spitfires, a first-year club in the WOAA Senior hockey league. Drayton took over in the second period to score five goals and end the game 5 - 1. Game two was much of the same. Drayton scored three goals in the first period. McClure once again scored the only goal of the game assisted by White at the face off. Drayton scored two in the second and once more in the third for a final score of 6 - 1. son got the puck to Cody Subject to take the tally to 3-2. Brussels evened the score at 8:31 when Ducharme made a solo effort. Brussels could not hold on, allowing the winning goal with only a minute remaining. The squad met Belmore in league play on Sunday, taking home a 1-1 tie off a Stephenson netter at the 1:09 mark of the third. One up, one down It was fun and a game on Saturday morning as the Blyth and Brussels Beginner hockey teams faced-off in Brussels. (Ashiey Gropp photo) PeeWees Gir The Wingham PeeWee Girls cap­ tured the consolation title at the Clifford tournament last weekend. The team met Walkerton in their first contest, Feb. 5, but were out­ shot. Bobby Jo Schiell faced a lot of rubber between the posts for Wing­ ham. C.oach Steve Cook said the girls came out with a really good effort, but were defeated by a skilled Walkerton team. The second game was more posi­ tive as Wingham captured a 9-1 victory over Clifford. Schiell had a strong game in net and Allison Quennell was picked as the game MVP. Hitting the twine for Wingham were Ashley Ritchie (two), Michelle Cook (two), Nicole Stew- Stings9 Brooks taps in hattrick In week 12 of Blyth Industrial Hockey League action the Sting downed the Chiefs 11-2 in a rare Friday game. Brent Brooks led the scoring for the winners with a hattrick, while Jim Oster and Scott Stevenson each scored two. Singles went to Todd MacDonald, Steve Siertsema, Doug Craig and Jason Cox. Ryan Crawford bulged the twine twice for the Chiefs. On Sunday Auburn and the Bull­ dogs faced off with Auburn coming out on top. Ryan Chamney led the scoring parade with four, while Steve Plun­ kett and Brent Andrews scored two each. Mike Bromley and Chris Taylor counted for four of the Bulldogs points while Greg Blok tallied one in this 8-5 outing. In the match-up between the Stars and the Chiefs, Scott Bromley led the way for the Stars with a hat- trick. Singles went to Chuck Gulutzen and Steve Bromley. Scoring for the Chiefs were Jeff Oesch, Dennis Vere and Brad Jewitt. The final was 5-3 for the Stars. CRIME 1*1 STOPPERS 1-800-222-TIPS take B title art, Quennell, Brittany Campbell and Rachel Elliott (two). Assists went to Danielle Good, Stewart (four), Campbell, Quen­ nell, Elliott, Victoria Whitfield and Cook (two). Advancing to the consolation final, Wingham went up against Milverton. Coach Cook applauded the team’s great game and was espe­ cially pleased with their excellent discipline and restraint while play­ ing under adverse conditions. Wingham took a 5-2 win with two goals from Campbell and three from Cook, including a short-hand­ ed effort. Assists were earned by Whitfield, A. Ritchie, Laura Ritchie and Good. NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING The 124th Annual Meeting of the Members will be held in the OFFICE BUILDING of McKILLOP MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY 91 Main Street South, Seaforth, Ontario on Wednesday, February 23,2000 at 1:30 p.m. • To receive and dispose of the 1999 financial statements and Auditor's Report, • To appoint Auditors, • To consider and enact proposed v amendments to bylaws No. 7,12, and 13, • To transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting, • To elect three Directors, • The retiring Directors are Lavern Godkin, Alex Townsend, and Donald McKercher. All are eligible for re-electjon. • Any person wishing to seek election or re­ election as a Director must file his intention to stand for election in writing with the Secretary of the Company at least seven (7) days in advance of the Annual Meeting or Special Meeting called for the purpose of electing Directors (By-law No. 21 (d)) Ross Struthers, BA., AIIC. Secretary-Treasurer-Manager w Ay Show1/ her VL M how much you care. CT &VV alentine’s p Monday, & Feb. 14# VS/X Flowers / J and AT WW’r Available at: Luanh's Country Flowers 523-4440 Pre-order to avoid disappointment