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Times Advocate, 1999-12-22, Page 22THIS WEEK IN SPowrs Exeter jr. D Hawks in tough versus Thamesford. Page 24 Panther boys and girls hockey dominate competition. Page 25 SOrtS 111\ 11.S -Al ( )CAI h Page 22 Wednesday, December 22, 1999 EP SPoaTs Contact Sports Editor Craig Bradford (S 19) 23S -I336 ext -A36 Fax: (5 19) 235 E-mail: sports©SouthHuron.com Exeter 'Times -Advocate r the millennftim Huron -Perth. Lakers in the swim fo By Craig Bradford TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF The Huron -Perth 'AAA' Lakers hockey system has recovered from the leaks it had last season. Down to four teams last season, the Lakers fea- ture six teams in its fourth season. This year the Lakers .... put a total of 94 players on the ice compared to last season's 70 and only two teams. The club had 140 players in its inau- gural year and eight teams and in year two it had 110 players and six teams. This season's teams include novice, minor and major peewee, minor and major bantam and midget. The midget team is based out of Stratford and is run by a commit- tee of representatives from the Lakers, Stratford Minor Hockey and the Jr. B Cullitons. The novice team is new. Lakers president Dick Lord said not every 'AAA' Organization has a novice team. "We are very fortunate in being approached by a great nucleus group to Jesse Schroeder start this age group," he said. "We look forward to this group moving through the system and being very fine represen- tatives for the Lakers." Lord said his main goal was to try to keep a strong executive together. Once that was accom- plished, the executive aimed to work together on marketing the Lakers as an organized and pre- pared organization. The executive also put in place a competent coach- ing staff, Lord said. Another goal of Lord's and his executive is to play at the highest level possible while keeping the opportunity afford- able for players and their families. Lord attributes the resurgence in the Laker program to achieving the above goals. There are still hurdles for the Lakers to sur- mount. Lord said getting ice time for the Lakers is "always a struggle" since the Lakers are consid- ered an "outside party" or "third in line" by arena boards. Lord said the executive will continue their efforts to have a good rapport with arena boards. Other goals for the Lakers listed by Lord include better organiza- tion through computer Sl- ing, a quicker response back to sponsors and spreading the workload out among a bigger oper- ating committee. Lord has a positive view of where the Lakers are going. "I believe 'AAA' hockey is established in our zone and is well represented," he said. Here is a rundown of the teams and players from the T -A coverage area and comments from the coaches: The Major Bantams Coach: Richard Keeso of Listowel. Last season's record: consolation champions. Current record (as of Dec. 13. 1999): 6-13-6. Strengths: players who fill all roles necessary for a well-rounded team; speed, toughness, size, set-up men, solid goal- tending, leaders. Exceptional team unity on and off the ice. "Each player will go to the wall every time for each other." Weaknesses: consisten- cy and a lack of killer instinct to finish off oppo- nents. For example, six ties and nine losses by one or two goals. Style of play: varies, but their successes are close- ly linked to a fast, hard hitting game. Changes from last sea- son: the addition of two new "colourful and enter- taining goalies" in Monkton's Darryl Smith and Dorchester's Clark Wyatt; new defensive coach Jason Lott of Stratford; two new "promising" defencemen: Hensall's Kevin Dickins and Port Franks' Tim McKinlay. Challenges:. for the play- ers to be able to give the time and energy to this level of hockey. "It could be all -consuming in this their bantam draft year." Team goals: a .500 sea- son; peak performance and focus during playoffs; player development and advancement for next season. "Our goals are therefore to help our players achieve theirs in the future." Highlights so far this season: "The opportunity to be associated with such a great group of players and parents. Our players are a pleasure to watch, win or lose, and most importantly look out for each other like guard dogs (they bark before stepping onto the ice)." Players from the T -A coverage area: •Dashwood's Jesse Schroeder (centre) — a coac j player, commit- ted - ery way to the game ntinues to domi- nate as league's best penalty -killer. •Brucefield's Derek Taylor • (forward) — moved up forward this year from defence; great speed, agility and shot. •Hensall's Kevin Dickins (defence) — new to 'AAA' but improves every game; good hands, good attitude, great addi- tion. The Minor Bantams Coach: Dan Elvidge of Durham:, • assistant coach Dennis Martin, trainer Chris MacDougal, manag- er Neil Hemingway. Last season's record: none (no team offered). Current record (as of Nov. 22/99): 1'2-10-4 overall, 5-7-3 in 'AAA' league. Strengths: team defence, size, skating, strong. work ethic, enthu- siasm and all players coachable. Weaknesses: lack of experience at 'AAA' level. Style of play: aggressive forechecking with com- mitment to defence. Changes from last sea- son: with no team last season, all players are new. Challenges: learning to play at the speed of 'AAA' hockey along with play- The Major Peewees ing consistently with Coach: Doug Salt of emotion and mental See LAKERS page 23 toughness. Team goals: to be com- petitive in all games and to learn with hard work and dedication while enjoying theexperience; to be ready to progress to next level. Highlights so far this season: making the championship in the Markham tournament, tying the game with Chicago 3-3 and losing out in the tie-breaker for- mat; beating Sun County 2-1 after being beaten 10-3 and 3-1 in two games the week earlier (Sun County were the OHF silver medalists last season). Players.from T -A cover- age area (with Elvidge's comments): •Hensall's Matthew Martin (forward) — 100 per cent effort all the time, does what he is asked without question, excellent young man with a good future in the game. •Stephen Township's Jason Stuckless (defence) — strong lead- ership and commitment on and off the. ice, plays physical and for all team- mates. •Exeter's Tony Regier (forward) — strong skills and good finisher around the net; possesses good leadership. Last word from the coach: "This team covers a broad spectrum of play- ers and represents a Large area of midwestern Ontario. Their efforts have been of a quality to make all in the area proud." DerekTaylor Matthew Martin Tony Regier Cal O'Reilly Kevin Dickens Kyle Courtney Greg McTaggart