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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-10-08, Page 14Page 14 . Times -Advocate, October 8, 1997 This Week in Sports... • Panther volleyball teams pick up big home wins - page 15 • Biddulph Central soccer teams are tops - page 16 It must be falLminor hockey action hits the ice Minor rockey.systems in Exeter, Hensall, have started their '97/98 seasons with a • By Craig Bradford na and bantam/midget play at Hen- sall Arena. Exeter will also offer T -A Reporter Minor hockey has once again tak- en over the lives of many a parent and youngster in the T -A. coverage area. Sports writer Craig Bradford caught up with representatives. . from each minor hockey associa- - tion for this season preview story. 'EXETER MINOR HOCKEY. _ Exeter's Minor Hockey system is the largest in the `i' A readership area and registration is slightly up from last season with about 270 players including 26girls. • System president John Rasenberg said this'is the first season for girls - only hockey in Exeter with two in- . termediate (age 14-18) teams. "After the boys• season was done last -year there were numerous re- quests for girls hockey," he said. " • (The executive). -said, 'maybe it's time'." , With the number of younger girls - on „the : rise, Rasenberg - said- "it • looks promising to have younger. 'teams next year." , - In ' addition to, the girls teams there .are 16 boys squads: one pre- • tyke, ,two tyke, one senior tyke, three novice, threeatom,- two -pee-: wee, two bantam- and two -large midget -teams. . On top of Shamrock, Lambton- Middlesex and AE play, E*eter (a .'CC' centre) offered their •annual. hockey school -(including go`ai; ' tending skills) , at Hensall Arepa "during the first week of September. l'+ "We "were /very happy' with it," Rasenberg said. "Paul Storey did an excellent job organizing it." Exeter Minor Hockey holds its, annual Bill Batten Memorial 'tour- nament on Nov. 7-9 with novice/ atom/peewee action at Exeter Are- • novice . age to bantam AE and Lambton-Middlesex ,tourneys on Dec. 27-31. . • Rasenberg said the goal this sea- son is to better promote Exeter players and the Shamrock league.. The bantam and midget all-star games on Jan. -12 at Strathroy should go . far towards that ob- jective, he said, with Jr. B, C and D scouts searching for new blood for 'their teams: "We're trying to put a good prod- uct out on the ice," Rasenberg said. "Let's promote them and get them to move ahead, It's a more con- . structive approach." Exeter's last alI-Ontario • cham- pionship? Midget AE last season; with the Exeter Juveniles also go- •ing all the way.: • - =But championships_ aren't- what coaches should only be gunning' for.' ' ' "We're here to promote (hockey) :and to -create' fun,' Rasenberg said.. . "it's more than competition. It's about getting -along with others and - sometimes discipline and sac- rifice.'. - HENSALL MINOR HOCKEY Registration is up about 20 to 1.15 this season in Hensall said its minor hockey association -president Randy Parker. - Thirty-five girls arc registered so. the association has added two more - girls teams, an age 8-10 and age. 11-13, for a total -di -three including the 13'plus team. There will be nine - teams in all with boys pre -tyke, • tyke, novice, atom, _peewee • and bantam. - .- • 'We'rea couple of years away from trying midget again here," ' Pacer said.. - J Hensall, an 'E'' centre, plays in -the Western Ontario Athletic As- Lucan, Stephen Township- and Zurich few surprises and. disappointments.- sociation against Zurich. Brussels, midget and:bantam hockey in Lu - Blyth, Clinton, Seaforth, Mitchell, can is there are three peewee teams Moncton and`Go derich, though, the ". this season, up froin the usual two. bantams play in the Tier-II.Lamh- ton-Middlesex League. • Hensall Minor,Hockey will host a novice -atom tournament on Dec. 22=23, Parker said. • Though Hensall Minor Hockey doesn't host its own schools, Parker - •said most of,the Hensall kids have taken the Exeter .Minor ' Hockey School. • that's offered at Hensall Arena every September before the ice goes in at Exeter Arena. "If anything we would like to de- velop a power skating . program," Parker said of possible future Hen - sail programs. "That's where they. _seem to be lacking." The last Hensall Minor Hockey Ontario title went to the .tyke team in '93/96. - - LUCAN MINOR HOCKEY Lucan has provided the biggest - disappointing surprise of the season by failing _to put a midget Tier 1 - Shamrock League On the ice after winning the all -Ontario 'DD' title last season. . "That's what Makes lit so:sad by cancelling it this year," Lucan. Mi- nor Hockey Association president Peter Dawson said. - . Just . over 200 players, - including between 30 and 38 girls, arc reg- istcred this year which is slightly down from last season, Dawson said. The lack 9fa midget team be- cause of :a lack of players is the thain reason—for the decrease, , he said. Midget age players usually register late, have" their drivers li- cence and have -outside interests • like a girlfriend/boyfriend and after school work that conflicts with hockey, Dawson said. •- "Sometimes hockey. isn't a high priority," he said:. - The good news for the future of - There are also two girls teams, three tyke teams, a senior tyke team and -five novice teams. Lucan: plans on hosting their an- nual Atom Shamrock Early Bird tournament- and will hold an atom/ novice Lambton-Middlesex.tourna, Ment over the Christmas holidays. A plus for .Lucan goaltenders is the_ regular free goalie clinics put on by London's Greg Storms every third Sunday morning. -- "In the past the goalie has only been a target during drills," 1)aw- son said, adding he doesn't know many hockey systems that offer similar programs. . Dawson said the main goal of the Lucan Minor Hockey -Association is for the -players to enjoy them- selves.. . "The one thing we would like to -see happen: is to have them have • -fun." he said. "i hope we don't lose sight of the fact this is supposed to be fun. not too competitive." STEPHEN MINOR HOCKEY Shamrock league hockey is new to,Stephen Minor Hockey after its executive decided it wanted to go south to play larger -centres rather • than north against smaller centre's with .its -traditional league, . the Western. Ontario Athletic Associa- tion. Stephen 'Minor Hockey president Morley Thompson admitted it will be a challenge) the 'D' centre facing teams that draw frotn larger talent pools, but the aim is 16 con- stantly improve. . "It'll be a good season and every 'coach seems • keen, -Thompson said -- One thing players .and coaches will have to get used to is the ear- lier start to the- season — the • WOAA _gets rolling at 'the end of October while the Shamrock rock- ets out -of the gate now. - Registration is about .normal this season: at 170 including 36 girls. There will he three girls teams (age 8-10, I I'-13 and I4-19) and I O boys teams: one junior tyke, one tyke. two novice, two atom, two. peewee and one bantam and midget teani. Stephen's novice reps won the re- • On his way to scoring a goal is Stephen -Atom Matt Martene, left (in black), during the Shamrock league game between Stephen and Watford at Huron Park on Monday night. The Stephen Atoms won 3-1 with Jason Thompson picking up two goals and Martene scoring one. Stephen Atom coach Bev Thompson said goalie Jeff Baker was solid between the pipes • for Stephen. The Stephen Shamrock Atoms are 2-0-1 in league play and 8-0-1 overall including exhibition games. Heywood not a Grizzly but a Tiger Shark The former Jr.. D Hawk was cut from the International Hockey League Utah club but will play pro with the East Coast League Tallahassee By Craig Bradford T -A Reporter TALLAHASSEE — While Exeter's Jason Hey- wood missed the grade at the International Hockey League Utah Grizzlies training camp, he will be playing pro hockey on the East Coast League Tal- lahassee Tiger Sharks. Heywood's mother, Joan, said her son was one of Utah's last cuts and was released last Sunday. He was home for a night and then took flight for Tal- lahassee to prepare for camp that started on Sat- urday. Joan said her son played in all five of Utah's ex- hibition games that included stops in Los Angeles, Kansas City and Idaho to play Las Vegas. "Rhe coach in Tallahassee (Terry Christianson) said Jason did well to play in all five of Utah's ex- hibition games," Joan said. Almost all players in the IHL are older than Hey- wood who's 23, Joan said, and only one of the 25 players at Utah's. 'rookie camp' made the team. She added "99 per cent" of IHLers have NHL experience making it tol9gh for her son to break into the league. "He was a bit disappointed but realistically he was the youngest forward there," Joan said. Tallahassee is a Utah farm • team and Heywood may • be called up later this season. 11$011 NsywOOd "if Jason has a good season and puts up good numbers he may make (Utah) next year," Joan said. Heywood is a product of Exeter Minor Hockey, is a former Exeter Jr. D Hawk and played Jr. B with the St. Marys Lincolns. Heywood also played for the University of Western Ontario team while stud- ying there for a BA in geography. gional Silver Stick competition last season and the peewees made it to the Ontario final playdowns. _The last Stephen all -Ontario WOAA ti- tlecame in '95/96 when the atoms went all the way. • ZURICH MiNOR HOCKEY Registration with the Zurich Mi- nor Athletics Association is down substantially at 100 compared to a normal season at about 130. Zurich Minor Athletic Association treasur- er Rick Gingerich said the lack of a bantam team this season is one rea- son for the fall in players. • There isn't a lot: of girls bitting the Zurich ice as well with only two or three playing with the boys. The team line-up: one. 'initiation to hockey' (learning to skate) team, one pre -tyke, one tyke, two novice, two atom, one (or two) peewee and one midget. Gingerich said the 'D' ccntrc sys- tem just finished its annual hockey school and that it will host a nov- ice, an atom and a peewee tourna- inent sometime this season with a midget tourney a possibility. Shuffleboard Exeter October 1 4 game winners Eldon Heywood 333 Estelle Chalmers 323 011ie Essery 307 Marge McCurdy 283 Hal Walsh 269 Allen Johns 256 3 game winners Doris Denham 152 Ruby Beaver I04 New members welcome any time. Hensall September 30 Pearl McKnight Ray Bennewics Lorne Archer Dave Woodward Hazel McEwen Jim Davis Russell Ferguson Hugh McKay 528 456 443 423 410 391 356 351 Call Sports Reporter Craig Bradford with yoursports tips (519) 235-1331 • Fax (519) 235-0766 Ice shy? A ' helping hand. Amateur . figure skating coach Krista Schilbe, 19, of Zurich, left, helps Emily Boyle, 4, of Exeter along the ice. at South Huron Rec Centre during a Canskate practice on Monday night. Exeter Figure Skating Club pres- ident Julianne Varley said the 104 registrated skaters this year is up about 20 from last season. Of those skaters, 43 are pre -beginner or -age 3-5. Those still wanting to sign their children up for figure skating can do so' by contacting Varley at 235-0243 or Lori Baker at 235-1039. Chip for the 'Bend -GRAND BEND Prove your golf chipping prowess • while benefiting the Grand Bend Winter Carnival and Grand Bend Nursery School with the Chip Shot Hole -In -One_ fundrais- er this weekend. • Event organizer Dave Shep- . pard said the I0 closest chippers - in the semi-finals set for Mon- day will get a chance to sink an ace for 565,0(X). The 10 closest to the pin each ofthe four -days qualify for the semi-finals and win prizes like a VCR. Widder Station Golf Club membership, a Grand Bend Motorplcx season pass or golf packages at other area courses. The contest takes place at the Grand Bend baseball diamond. Hours: Friday -Sunday. 10 a.nm.- ' 7 p.m.: Monday. 9 a.m.-noon. • Cost: $1 /hall. $ 10/ 12 balls. Cluhs are provided or bring your own. Golf pros arc not eligible for prizes. Panthers run well at Dorchester meet DORCHESTER — South Huron District High School runners ended up with highly competitive finishes at the Dorchester cross country meet last week. The top Panther finishes were ran by junior Dan Snell with a seventh in -a field of --150 and'senior Chris- tian Stucklcss with a ninth. Junior - Erin Robilliard finished 29th after facing "some road trouble," coach Joe Fulop said, and junior Dave Robilliard finished 32nd. • The hest midget boys finishes . were by-Henny Pfaff, Marc Hod- gins and Josh Vcrhoog. Junior girls .. Fallon Giles finished in the top . third of the field with Brenda El- ford not far behind. Tim Hundey, Brian Harrigan and Matt Vcrhoog finished behind Snell in the junior race. Mandy Rolph is out with shin splints joining Sarah Workman (hip injury) on the sidelines. • The next meet for Panther run- ners is tomorrow at "the much feared" Chicopee ski hills in Kitch- ener, Fulop said. the last tune up meet before Huron-Pcrth.competi- tion at Wingham Madill on Oct. 15. Irish start season 1-2 LUCAN - The Lucan Jr. D Irish hockey club had a definite high point during their season opening week with a shutout win sand- wiched hetwcen two tough losses. At Belmont on Sunday. the Irish gave up four goals in the second period on their way to a 7-4 loss. Lucan goals came from Dan Har - dick -with two and Neal Costello and Ben Dobbic with singles. As- sists went to Andy Marshall with two, Pat Conlin, Cary Hudson. Jeremy Lamhourn and Chad Green- lee. The Irish shutout host Seaforth 4-0 on Friday. Lucan goals came from Mike Robb, Costello, Dabble and Marshall with assists from George Stephens (2), Mike Jaremchenko, Marshall, Mark Phillips, Robb and Ryan Carroll. Mike Boyce, left, picked up the shutout after turning aside 29 shots while the Irish threw 48 shots at Seaforth's backstop. "Mike Boyce has been excellent," Irish co - coach Jason Bakula said. "He's been our hest player. He's ag- gressive and he's very skilled and technically sound." The Irish started the week losing their home opener to the North Middlesex Stars 9-8 on Wednesday. Hardick led the Irish attack with two goals while Dabble, Carroll, Daryl Boshari, Bob Grant, Phillips and Greenlee potted singles. Assists went to Roy Davis, Jaromchoko, Phillips and Carroll with two each with Costello, Hudson, Rohh and Stephens adding single helpers. Thc game was a spirited affair with 42 penalty minutes including two game misconducts (Co- stello and Mau Porter for fighting) handed to the Irish and 28 minutes to Nonh Middlesex. Bakula, right, chalked up the slow start to the absence of sound team defence. Jason Bakula "Our defensive end coverage has been awful," he said at Monday night's practice. "it's not just the defence. The entire team has been bad." Lucan next hosts Lambeth tonight, an 8:15 p.m. start and visit Thamesford on Friday. Mike Boyce