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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2007-06-06, Page 20Page 20 June 6, 2007 • The Huron sitor Sports Devereaux recalls start in minor hockey during recent Mitchell sports banquet Andy Bader anneniMali Even though he admitted it felt strange coming into "enemy territo- ry", Seaforth native Boyd Devereaux could sense that he was amidst winners last Thursday, May 24, at the Mitchell Minor Sports 17th annual Bruce Sawyer male and female athlete of the year ban- quet at the Mitchell and District Community Centre. Six athletes were nominated by their respective minor sport, and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) 2006-07 `B' Mitchell bantam hockey champions were also honoured once more for their provincial triumph. Guest speaker Devereaux, a win- ner himself over his hockey career both on the international stage with the national junior team, and in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings and their Stanley Cup champi- onship victory of 2002, said he was proud to be on hand and be a part of smalltown hockey, since he grew up the same way in neighbouring Seaforth. "I remember the moms in the stands with their unified cheers, overnight tournaments and hallway hockey....just a ton of memories," he said. "And I remember going deep in the playoffs and pretty much the whole town showing up, it's a really special feeling for the community, and I'm sure it was the same here." Devereaux, 29, who lives in Bayfield, signed a two-year con- tract with the Toronto Maple Leafs recently, and briefly high- lighted his eight- year NHL career which included stops in Edmonton, Detroit, Phoenix and with the Leafs last season, although he started out in the minors with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate before being called up this past season. "I've been very lucky," he said, reflecting on his career. "There's been defeats and a lot of victories." He recalled winning a provincial championship in junior B in Stratford, going on to play in Kitchener in the OHL before being drafted in the first round of the NHL draft by Edmonton. "It was a great place to play...but we thought Kitchener was a big city," he joked. He called his tenure in Detroit with the Red Wings, his favourite team growing up, "a life changing experience" and recalled experi- ences with players such as Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan, Nik Lidstrom, Chris Chelios and Luc Robitaille as truly memorable. "I think we'll go down as one of the most talented teams ever," he said. But this past season, which began with no contract and a stint in the AHL before his recall with the Leafs, put things in perspective, he noted. "I had a lot of fun, put in some good minutes and I think it's what I might have been missing earlier, getting back to just playing hockey," he said, although he admitted being one of the veterans on the team made him feel old in a hurry at the ripe old age of 29. "When I got the call, I felt I was ready," he said of his chance with the Leafs. "Even a chance to play SEAFORTH INSURANCE BROKER LTD/HIMG BROKER LTD/HIMG • Home • Commercial •Auto • Farm • Out of Province Travel Insurance 41 Main St. S. Seaforth 519-527-1610 • Ken Cardno, Joanne Williamson. Colleen Bromley & Barb Wan r DOMINION DRIVER TRAINING I ARE YOU TURNING 16 THIS SUMMER? COME JOIN US FOR THE FOUR DAY CLASS & DRIVE LATER! Our Day Classes Are JULY 3RD 9-4 AUG. 20TH 9-4 WEB PAGE! www.dominiondrivertraining.on.ca Classes are held at the Betty Cardno Centre Hwy 08 West Clinton CALL CAROL 519-527-1891 OR HEAD OFFICE STRATFORD 1-800-665-3027 We Also Do Refresher Lessons for G2 & G Road Test 1 • one game, just to say I played with the Leafs would have been good. It's a great town to play in and I'm excited to go back. I think we'll be a dangerous team next year." Devereaux told the bantam hock- ey players to never forget their championship season. "Being able to win a champi- onship with a bunch of teammates is something I'm sure you want to do again. Being part of a team and with all the commitment, dedication and sacrifice put into it...it's defi- nitely something to celebrate because it's a great feeling." Devereaux also acknowledged all the nominees for the minor sport athlete of the year award, saying clearly "you've all got good heads on your shoulders" and "you know what it takes to succeed. "Being a responsible, team player is only going to continue on in all aspects of sports and life." Devereaux also said he can't wait for his two -and -a -half year old daughter to get involved in minor sports once she's older, especially in similar smalltown minor sports pro- grams operated so successfully like the one in Mitchell. St. Anne's hoping for five medals From Page 18 Brittany Bos and Kim Hogervorst — claimed third and the regionals and is the No. 3 seed. With a time of 51.16, the local girls finished slightly ahead of the second place team. "It was a really close run. The top three OFSAA junior girls' relay teams are all out of the western region," Robinson said. "That's not unusual though, the western region is pretty much the strongest across the board." Athletes from six provincial regions will be competing at OFSAA, held at the Terry Fox complex in Ottawa June 7-9. Last year St. Anne's sent five athletes to OFSAA. "We're a step up in calibre this year," Robinson noted. "Last year we were a medal threat in three events, but this year it's five. Hopefully it pays out, but the nature of the sport is sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't." The 148 Golfers who took part Seaforth Golf Course Smith Packaging Tucker's Meat Shop Archie's Service Centre Successables Inc. Coca Cola Map Art Sills Hardware Radar Auto Parts Bob's Barber Shop KMM Drainage UPI Energy L.P. Box & Smith Funeral Chapel Peggoty's Bed and Breakfast Pete's Paper Clip Seaforth Chiropractic Centre Sofina Foods Seaforth Jewellers Vanden Heuvel Structures Seaforth Food Market !/L Thank you to the following businesses and sponsors who helped make the Columbo Classic Spring Scramble a huge success. Thanks to your generous donations we were able to give $1,000 to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and $4,000 to the Seaforth and Area Food Bank. Thanks Again. BJM Financial Seaforth Veterinary Clinic The Looking Glass Smith Peat Roofing United Rentals Rona Cashway Progressive Turf T.D. Canada Trust Donna's Hair Care Bloom's 'N Rooms Culligan Real Estate Murals In Metal Olympia Ice Resurfacers Seaforth UAP Pepsi Sanderson Optometry Seaforth Bakery N.W.T.F. Waterlou Manufacturing Corks 'n' Caps Brian E. Wightman Ralph Smith Law Office Main St. Video Mike Marion Painting Russo Flower Magic Rick Hogg Cooper Standard Prema Thames Valley Kelly Auto' Service Sally's Closet Clarice (Rudy Jansen) Janet's Donuts Kissner Group Bell Canada Smith Construction MacDonald Automotive Intermodal Transport Evcro Inc. Coldwell Banker Cardno's Men's & Ladies' Wear Norwich Packers Dick Burgess Photography