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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-10-04, Page 14This Week in Sports... • South Huron volleyball - page 15 • SHDHS cross country - "page 16 Minor hockey '95 -'96 preview Presidents of minor hockey organizations gearing up for another season at the r -ink Chris Skalkos T -A staff HURON COUNTY - The ice rinks are ready, the teams have been picked and the youngsters are eager. Minor hockey organizations in Exeter. Stephen, Lucan, Hensall and Zurich are gearing up for the 1995-96 hockey season and according to organization presidents. the five systems are bracing themselves for an exciting season. Exeter In Exeter, the biggest challenge .for Don Richardson, president of mi- nor hockey, will be juggling 16 teams in a busy schedule including two Targe tournaments. The Bill Batten Memorial Tournament, slotted for the second week- end of November will have 40 teams playing 50 games in just three days. In the past, Richardson said the tournament only included Nov- ice, Atom and Peewee teams. This year, it has expanded to allow Ban- tams and Midget. Richardson said this'will be one of the highlights of the season as Ex- eter will be host to some of the best teams in Ontario. Another home tournament will see the second entry teams play in a Christmas tourna- ment. "We have a home tournament for every kid in minor hockey," said Richardson. Last season, the Exeter Legion Ladies Auxiliary Peewees won an all Ontario championship after sweeping the Prince Edward County Kings in three straight to clinch the OMHA "CC" title. The second entry Pee- wee teams, the Huron Tractor Bullets also did well rrtaking.it to the fi- nals. "That just shows you the amount of talent we have in that age group," Richardson said adding he is expecting another strong performance from both team again this season. "They have a few returnees nn that championship team and I wouldn't be surprised if they won it again." The Midgets and Juveniles also reached the finals but came up short late in the playoffs. "It was an excellent year for quality hockey," added Richardson. The Juveniles, who are only in their second year, have switched leagues and are now playing in the South Central League. Their first home game is. scheduled for October 21. Hensall Minor Hockey teams in Hensall have enjoyed the benefits of having ice since early September in the Hensall Arena. Pre - tyke, Tyke, Novice, Atom and Peewee teams ac- •s -, commodate the bulk of players ranging from three to 14 years -old. With four travelling teams and four teams in the learning to skate Pre -tyke program, minor hockey pres- ident Jim Ferguson said they are putting as much em- phasis on building a future for the organization as they are on winning in the rep league. "We're building from the bottom up and as the kids get older we should have a promising future," said Ferguson. One of the biggest assets to the Hensall Minor Hockey organization is the community support. "There are a lot of volunteers pushing minor hockey forward. Area husinesses, service clubs and the public are really backing us." said Ferguson pointing out as an example, a fundraising craft and bake sale on November 4 that has been taking place for seven consecutive years. Ferguson said the Hensall organization is working toward offering hockey to all age groups right up to the junior level. Zurich David Erb, president of Zurich minor hockey, said registration is slightly down but they will still have eight teams this season from Pre - tykes up to Juveniles. Before the teams take to the ice in the second week of October. most of the young players are taking advantage of a five night hockey school during the first week of.October. Erb said the most successful team last season was the Novice team which finished within the top three. However, according to Erb, the team to watch this year will be the Bantams. More than 80 per cent of the Bantam team consists of ex -Peewee players who won the 1993,94 championship. • This season, enough players registered in Bantam to warrant a rep team and a local league team and Erb is expecting a strong per- formance from both. Lucan Lucan minor hockey president, Roy Van Kasteren said he is taking a "wait and see approach" this year. The organization opted out of the Additional Entry program in the Atom and Novice divisions in order to move into the Lambton Mid- dlesex League. Erb said the move will allow them to be more com- petitive. "It was a tough decision dropping out of the Additional Entry pro- gram. We will have to wait and see if it was the right move or not." said Erb. Last season, the Atom Additional En- try fought their way to the all -Ontario semi-finals but were defeated by Dor- chester in a double overtime game. This year. Lucan minor Hockey has created a junior girls' team, the first in 20 years. Between the decision to move into the Lambton Middlesex League, and trying to get the girls team off the ground, Erb should have his hands full this season. Stephen The undisputed highlight for Stephen Township last season was clinching two all -Ontario Championships. The Peewee "Rebels" took the Ontario "E" championship sweeping Port Carling in three games and the Atom "Sonics" won the Ontario "E" championship beating Ops Township, also in three straight. What more could minor hockey president Dick Lord ask for other than a repeat performance? Perhaps winning a girls league champion- ship? This season Stephen will have two girl rep teams; a junior team of 10 to 13 year-olds, and a senior team consisting of 13 to 18 year old fe- male hockey players. Lord said the popularity in girls' hockey has increased since the Rin- gette Association pulled out of Huron Park a couple of years ago and the program is still growing. Both teams will travel south to compete against other girl teams from the Parkhill and Sarnia area. Stephen minor hockey is re -structuring their fundraising program this year. No doubt fundraisers are a vital element to any minor hockey or- ganization. ,Last year Stephen spent $80,000 on ice alone to keep the program going for just one season. However, Lord said this year they are starting a "non -fundraiser" program. Players have the option of paying a $90 fee or selling 10 cash calendars in order to raise enough money to sustain the minor hockey program in Stephen. "Last year we found there was an imbalance of work being done. Some of the kids just didn't want to participate in fundraisers," said Lord. Winning two Ontario championships hasn't clouded the real ob- jectives of minor hockey executives. According to Lord, hockey means more than just winning championships. Stephen is working toward building a strong organization by working closely with coaches, players and parents with one main priority in mind. "Good attitude and sportsmanship always score high on a scouting report...and all this must start at home." said Lord. The Times Advocate will be following the progress of the minor hockey teams in Exeter, Hensall, Zurich. Lucan and Stephen this sea- son and game results will be published in the "minor hockey scorebox" on a weekly basis. Sports- Lite Coat of chwmpions The Exeter Legion Ladies Auxiliary branch 167 pre- sented the Exeter Minor Hockey Peewee team a jacket to commemorate their 1994-95 Ontario Championship. Each team member rece,vec one during a pizza party at the legion last Monday. From left, Ladies Auxiliary mem- bers June Lather, Mary Keenan and Erny Robinson present Peewee captain Jeff Camppell his jacket. Minor hockey scoreboard Stephen Minor Hockey Peewee September 29 - Exhibition game Stephen 14 vs. Parkhill 2 Goals: Jeff Finkbeiner (5). Shawn Sher- wood (3), JR Davies (2). Dan Mosurinjohn. Robert Sandwith (2), Brayden Lord Assists: Finkbeiner (4), Sherwood (2), Mos- urinjohn (3). Adam Glavin. Adam McCann (2), Jcrerny VanBergen. Brian Stuckless Goaltender: Chris Glavin. Mike Blois September 30 - Exhibition game Stephen 10 vs. Seaforth 3 Goals; Davies. Lord (3). Finkbeiner. Sand - with. VanBergen. Sherwood (3) Assists: Finkbeiner 13), Davies (3). VanBer- gen (2). Stuckless. Sandwith. Sherwood. Cal de Lange (;oallcnder: Glavin, Blois Exeter Minor Hockey Novice Waxers October 1 Exeter 4 vs. Belmont 2 Goals: Eric Denomme (2). Jordan Darling, Adam Johns Assists: Mitch Homuth. Chad Taylor. Adam Johns, Eric Denomme. Brett Hackett Legion Auxiliary Peewee October 1 Exeter 5 vs. Belmont 0 Goals: Mike Seip (2). Ryan Groot (3) Assists: Groot. Steve Rasenberg. Craig Overholt. Andrew Mayer, David Veal Next game: October 4. at Exeter. 620 p.rn. Huron Tractor Peewee October 1 Exeter 5 at Port Stanley 0 Goals: Darryl Weiss. Mike Kerslake. Tyler Taylor, Alex Kemp. Rob Acton Assists: Acton (2), Caleb Johns. Jason Rev- ington. Ben Rader. Brad VanBakel Goaltenders: Brad MacDonald. Shawn Mil - ley Next game: Saturday. October 7. in Forest Grand Bend Motorplex Sunday's results Super Pro: Vic Goguen, Sarnia, 10.258 at 128.94 defeated Louis Brehm, Woodstock, 1 1.139 at 118.10 N1PH Pro: Bill Ward, Blenheim, 11.81 defeated Racin' Jason. Lucan, 11.36 at 118.73 MPH Street: Eric Grose. St. Marys. 14.69 at 9298 defeated Dave Bryson. Exeter, 15.213 at 83.64 MPH Bike: Frank Allingham, London, 9.057 at 12294 defeated Jacques Van Bilson, Appin, 15.505 at 80.50 MPH Jr. Dragster: Jeff Roth, Waterloo defeated M.J. Elliott. Sweaburg Saturday's Asphalt Snowmobile Series results Winner: Brian Noel, Newmarket. 94 Ski-doo Mach Z, 10.998 at 114.94 MPH Runner-up: Keith Watson, London, 1995 Ski-doo Mach Z, 11.41 at 114.73 MPH • Squash, always concentrating Chris Skalkos T -A staff . EXETER -The sport of squash has a lot to offer for Jamie Dougall. As an avid squash player he discovered the sport provides a vigorous workout; and as a coordinator of the South Huron Racquet Club, he finds it provides an education in business administration. When Dougall first began playing squash, he expected it to be a way to keep physically fit. It was a good form of cardiovascular exercise and it improved his agility. What Dougall didn't expect, is how it would enhance his skills in other sports. "it [squash] has helped me in soccer. I'm a better soccer player be- cause of it," said Dougall who also plays competitive soccer in Lon- don. "In squash you're always concentrating on the ball, you're con- stantly thinking and this helps you in other sports." His involvement with managing the club has also given him some practical business experience. The responsibility of handling the club's advertising, accounting and recruitment is a learning opportunity for Dougall who plans to attend college and pursue a business career. "This is one of the best things that could happen to me before i go to school. By the time 1 get there 1'11 have a head start," he said. The Squash Club, located in an industrial plaza on Highway 83 East, originated in 1983 when a handful of squash enthusiasts started the club. Today, the club membership hovers around SO and the two level facility boasts a furnished upstairs viewing lounge and a modern weight room complete with a five -station universal, free weights and a computerized exercise bike. The club currently only has one court, however, Dougall said if their Membership increases, they will seriously consider putting in a second court. 1 "We need between 65 to 80 members to build another court and I think our membership will reach that this year." he said. Dougall feels the club would already be at that point if beginners would be more patient when picking up the sport for the first time. "People are not patient enough when they come out to play, they want to get good really fast. Some people catch on to it right away but some need to work on it longer," he said. Dougall explained the ball is made of a hard rubber compound that doesn't have much bounce to it when it's cold. But after it has been smacked around the court it heats up and offers more action. "This is the hard part for beginners because at first they can't rally long enough to warm up the ball," he added. But once new players are good enough to keep the ball up and bouncing the sport becomes fast requiring good hand -eye coordination, quick reflexes and total concentration in the game. This process of be- coming totally absorbed into the game is what attracts people to the sport, said Dougall. I have had very few people get off this court and tell me they don't like it. People just have to give it an honest effort," he said. For those who crave competition. The club holds two tournaments a year, in the spring and fall with the next one scheduled for the end of October. Dougall said newcomers are welcome and the club adopts a "beginner friendly" attitude for them; however, for the experienced players seeking a challenge, some of the club's members have been playing for over 20 years with various degrees of skill. "in this club it doesn't matter if you're a beginner just coming in or an experienced player...there will always be somebody you can beat, and there will always be somebody who is better than you," said Dougall.