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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1996-11-20, Page 19PPRfTlis Times -Advocate, November 20, 1996 Page 19, IiuisaU Minor Hockey holds clinic On hockey related spinal Injuries . By Chris Ska1ko, • T -A Reporter HENSALL - "I think hockey is the greatest sport in the world, but it's also the most violent." This was the opening remark of Gary Barwitzki, the University of Western Ontario hockey team phy- sician, as he addressed a 58 young hockey players, parents, coaches and trainers who attended a spinal injury clinic in Hensall last Tues- day. Barwitzki was invited by the Hensall Minor Hockey organiza- tion to speak about hockey related spinal injuries and how they can be prevented. He brought with him Ken Allore, a young man confined to a wheelchair after his vertebra in his neck was crushed when he was checked from behind during a hockey game in 1986. The two have been addressing young hock- ey players about the perils of spinal injuries and brought their powerful and informative presentation to Hensall. In Canada, 15 spinal injuries oc- cur every year during an organized hockey game. Barwitzki presented statistics that showed most of these injuries result from a check, or a push from behind, and those most likely to be injured are between 11 and 20 years -old. He said as players enter a level of hockey for the first time where body contact is allowed, many are unaware how to deliver or receive a proper check. "As the kids get bigger and faster aggressive play can turn into a dan- gerous play," said Barwitzki adding many young kids don't consider the consequences of checking their op- ponents from behind. "Hockey equipment is very good today, but it's not a suit of armour and your neck is not protected. Players have to be aware they can be hurt and they can hurt others." Barwitzki and Allore hope to pre- vent players from ending up in a wheelchair by educating them about hockey related injuries through a one and a half hour clinic which in- cluded a slide show and a video presentation followed by a question and answer period. The video called "Smart Hockey with Mike Bossy" shows how to prevent injuries by having the right attitude, being aware and taking responsible ac- tion, as well as offering some tech- nical advice for players. It is highly recommended by coaches, trainers and physicians. "Injury prevention is a new con- cept. In the past we treated injuries now we are trying to prevent them," said Barwitzki. Allore spoke to the audience tell- ing them what it was like being confined to a wheelchair hoping his story makes a difference. "k remember everything," he said recalling his last hockey game playing for the Mount Brydges midgets. "It was the quarter finals of an All -Ontario game. I turned to retrieve the puck four feet from the boards...I felt the stick across my back and then I heard a loud bang and felt pins and needles going through my body." Paralyzed from the neck down Allore has undergone 18 months of therapy and now has little move- ment in his left arm and ankles. He said he didn't mean to scare any- one away from the sport but he hopes his story makes a difference and he wants young hockey players to think twice before acting out of impulse or frustration on the ice. "I know it's a fast game and eve- rybody likes to check hard, but re- member, when you're out there, have respect for other players. If somebody's back is facing you don't hit them," said Allore. Hockey mom Shirley Kerslake attended the clinic with her son Mike who is playing for the Exeter Peewees, the first level of minor hockey where checking is allowed. "I think every parent who has children involved with hockey should see this," said Kerslake. "You hear them (parents) yelling 'hit em!' 'hit em!' and they know it's not right. The right attitude has to come from everybody," she said adding she would like to see more consistent officiating from referees regarding hitting from behind. Wayne Dickins, a Peewee coach said the clinic was useful and wished there were more Peewee coaches and trainers from other centres at the clinic. "I see players running around try- ing to hit and they don't know what they're doing," he said. Victor Fulcher and Karen Dickins organized the clinic on behalf of Hensall Minor Hockey. Fulcher said he believes the young players who attended the clinic will benefit from the knowl- edge they gained and hoped they will practice smart hockey next time they're on the ice. "We're not trying to remove checking from hockey, we want to remove spinal injuries from hock- ey," he said. OUAA hockey comes to Exeter ::XETER - Exeter hockey fans will be treated to a high calibre of hockey as the University of West- ern Ontario Mustangs take on Roy- al Military College at the South Hu- ron Recreation Centre on Saturday. The Ontario University Athletic Ass' ciation regular league game was organized by the Exeter Junior "D" Hawks as a special event for their fans. "We wanted to give the fans the opportunity to see something differ- ent," said Dave Revington, head coach and general manger of the Hawks. "It will be a good night to come out and see an extremely en- tertaining game." Played without a red line, which eliminates the dump and chase style of most leagues, varsity hock- ey is a fast tempo game played by highly skilled athletes. Revington, who played hockey for the University of Guelph back in the mid 70's, said today's varsity hockey player is more mature and many have gone on to make a pro- fessional career out of hockey. He said the game should appeal to those who enjoyed watching Exet- er's defunct Senior "A" Mohawks. Black belt South Huron Martial Arts members congratulate David Soontiens, back row in centre, on achieving his black belt on Sunday. With him, in back from left is Brad Fowler, In- structor Brian Decker, Jane McPherson and Rachael McPherson. in front from left is Peter Becker, Leo Loucks and Fred Sanders. Chiefs wallop Waterford with short bench WATERFORD - The Exeter Juvenile Chiefs travelled to Water- ford on Sunday with only II players, but despite the short bench Exeter walloped their opponents 8- I finishing the game with only sev- en players. Ryan Soldan led the Chiefs with a hat trick and two assists. Marty deBruyn scored twice followed by Ryan Beckett, Matt Sims and Brent Urlin who added one goal each. "You could call them a weak team. We outplayed them badly," said Chief forward Ryan Beckett describing Exeter's inferior oppo- nents. Their lopsided victory followed a, disappointing loss to Langton the night bettore. Paul Knight's unas- ' sisted goal in the first period was the only offensive strike the Chiefs could mount against Langton los- ing4�-1. Exeter is now holding on to a 3- 2-1 win/loss/tie record. Saturday's game will be a special event for Exeter native Jason Hey- wood who hasn't skated in front of his home town since he played for the Hawks seven years ago. Heywood is a product of the Ex- eter Minor Hockey Association. He only played one year with the Hawks before he was drafted by the St. Marys Junior "B" Lincolns where he helped the Lincolns to a league championship before he made the cut to the Western Mus- tangs. The third -year geography major quickly established himself as a top notch goal getter scoring 75 points in his first two years with the Mus- tangs. This season hehas already accumulated 10 points for Warn playing centre ice and he hasn't ruled out the possibility of scoring a goal or two in front of his friends and family in Exeter on Saturday. One of Western's defenseman is also a local product. Matt Munro, from Lucan is playing his first year with the Mustangs after playing Junior "B" hockey with Listowel last season. The Mustangs will head into the game with 3-4 win/loss record, RMC is currently struggling this season with a 2-7 record. Casting team records aside, Heywood said fans can expect a fast and hard hit- ting game with solid goaltending on both ends of the ice but he isn't expecting a high scoring game. RMC is a physical and tough club while the Mustangs are a defensive oriented team with a core of vet- eran defensmen. "Even without a red line there will still be a lot of hits," said Hey- wood. The special OUAA game will be- gin at 7:30 at the South Huron Rec- reation Centre on Saturday. Ken Allore chats with young hockey players video demonstration that encouraged players to be aware of the perils of spinal injuries while playing hockey. Ken has been confined to a wheelchair since he was checked from behind and suffered a broken neck during a minor hockey game in 1986. following a (1't" c( c, Sc c, 50 cc�7 cl L) 1 ,t, 1 ticprevious 5 55process. t S l '\'t" 'ti'ti'`"\'t't'\"\'"`'1'L' ..-\.\.' '1'1' \.\'ti'1"\'\'t'ti'L-.-\.'\'\" "ti'L'.'1'\"\'.'1'\'1"t'�.-c'c Las Vegas comes to Huron County Exeter Minor Hockey H Sponsors Charity CasinoS41 ave you ever wanted to go to Las Vegas but just haven't been able to get there, or do you love it so much you can't wait to get back. Well, Exeter Minor Hockey has the solution for you. This weekend Nov.0 and 23rd they will be sponsoring a charity casino at the South Huron Rec Centre. This is a real Vegas style casino with 8 bochopkand thicnefi best thing to slot�r machines, crown and anchor. Withthe expertise of Upper CanadacCasino's who make it their business run a top quality casino throughout this area this event isl sure to be a hit. They haveFri• dealers for all of the games so you'll get the thrill of being in Vegas without the travel. The tables run from one dollar to a maximum of ten dollars so it is,c affordable for everyone. What's that you say, you have aae- engagement on the not a problem. The hours are from 4 p.m. on Friday Nov. 22 to and from2p.m. on Nov.23rd to 4 a.m. so you'll have lots of to stop in and supporta worthy cause and have a ball in the There is also some4 exciting junior and university hockey on the weekend so you can make a night of it. if you want more atfor235 0448.mation x1! Exeter Minor Hockey p f, C} ,) 0 C) o l 0 j Y t' ti t' , N G at the Sot.�thHuron Hi0 Rec Centreto Novi 22,professional 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. Vat Nov 23.5 2t�m. to 4 a.m.C5weekend, t1',�' tLc • Refreshments availablel4a.m. BLACK JACKtime i HOLD 'EM POKER CROWN AND . 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