Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-05-05, Page 21THIS WEEK IN SPORTS Gold medal for Bantams. Page 22 Panthers track and field. Page 23 Exeter Times -Advocate TIMES ADVOCATE Wednesday, May 5, 2004 Hawks celebrate at awards banquet EXETER — " I said last year look out for the 2003 Hawks and look where we are." Exeter Hawk General Manager John Rasenberg summed up the celebrations at the team's awards banquet held April 28 at the Exeter Legion after the team captured its sec- ond OHA Junior D championship in three years. South Huron Mayor Rob Morley congratulat- ed the team. "There are few places in Ontario that don't know where Exeter is and you should be proud of yourself." Hawks president Bill Brock thanked everyone who had contributed to the win, including the team sponsors, recre- ation staff, parents and coaches. Brock also praised the work of Rasenberg "Everything you do to make this one of the best Junior D organiza- tions." Rasenberg said although it was consid- ered a rebuilding year for the team, they were surprised with the talent at training camp. The Hawks started the season with a roster of 14 players. Rasenberg said the philosophy was to, "sign players, not bodies. You have to have character in the dressing room, not characters." Sharing the Hawk award, which sponsor Ron Bogart described as the most prestigious award a Hawk can receive, were Jeff Finkbeiner and Shawn Sherwood. Finkbeiner The Exeter Hawks handed out their awards April 28 at the Exeter Legion at their awards banquet. Front L -R: Michael Carnegie (Best Defensive Defenceman), Shawn Sherwood (MVP, co -winner Hawk award), Jeff Finkbeiner, (Team Leadership, Scoring Leader, co -winner Hawk award), Joe Nesbitt (Most Dedicated), Jason Stuckless (Playoff MVP). Back: Scott Davies (Best Defenceman), Justin Knee (co - winner (Rookie of the Year), Travis Elder (co -winner Rookie of the Year), Darcy McCutcheon (Most Improved), Daryl Bourne (Sportsman ship). Missing: Chad Deman (Best Defensive Forward). (photo/PatBolen) also won the team lead- ership award and was the team scoring leader with Sherwood winning the MVP honour. Other recipients of awards were Scott Davies as Best Defenceman, Michael Carnegie as Best Defensive Defenceman and Daryl Bourne win- ning the Sportsmanship trophy. Justin Knee and Travis Elder were named as co -winners as Rookies of the Year, with Most Improved going to Darcy McCutcheon. The Most Dedicated Player trophy was awarded to defenceman Joe Nesbitt and Chad Deman was recognized as Best Defensive Forward. Getting the nod as the Hawk's playoff MVP was Jason Stuckless, who complied 23 points in the playoffs. After receiving the awards, Finkbeiner thanked the organiza- tion, describing Rasenberg "as the best GM I've ever seen." Finkbeiner added Exeter coach Dave Revington was the best coach he had had, say- ing "I'm glad to start and finish my junior career with you." The evening was fin- ished by a donation of championship shirts from the family of Brandon Wedlock, injured in the playoffs, to the team. Wedlock said he didn't know where Exeter was when he signed with the team, but it was the best hockey experience he ever had. Wedlock's father Shawn thanked the organization for its sup- port of Wedlock as he recovered. " We went through an experience every hockey parent dreads. Exeter is a very special place." Helping the Bluewater Community Centre The Bluewater Community Centre Fund got a nice boost recently in the form of a $20,381 cheque from Zurich Minor Athletic. The money comes from a BX93 video dance and elimination draw. From left in the new Bluewater Community Centre are Zurich Minor Athletic executive mem- bers Betty Regier and Kim McKinnon, Zurich Minor Athletic president Brian Brooks and, receiv- ing the cheque, Bluewater Community Development Foundation member Ivan Bedard.The group thanks the community for its support. (photo/Scott Nixon) SPORTS TIPS? Contact Exeter Times Advocate Tel: Pat Bolen (519) 235-1336 x113 Fax: (519) 235-0766 E-mail: sports@southhuron.com 21 Fury warm up at soccer tournament EXETER — The Exeter Fury are ready for the new season in second division, with 14 players returning from last year's team. Team spokesman Jason McFalls said they are looking forward to the season. The Fury have added Adam Jean, Peter McAllister, Andrew Prout, and Ryan Carroll and McFalls said he isn't sure what to expect from second division this year. The Fury were last in second division in 1997 when there was no third division a n d McFalls said the quality of play is better now than it was at that point. "From what I hear, there is a lot of tough teams out there, but once we get used to playing with each other, we'll give them a good run." "We've got a good defense and we have more offense, with a lot more guys that can share in it." The Fury will be play- ing their first four games at home giving them a chance for a fast start, but putting them on the road for much of the middle of the season, making it important to have a good start. The Fury competed in a tournament Saturday in Tillsonburg and fared well by getting to the quarter finals before being eliminat- ed. The team compiled a record of 1-1-1 to fin- ish second in their pool which moved them into the playoffs where they ran up against a strong Brantford squad from the Hamilton Premier League. In the first game of the day the Fury were on the short end of a 3- 0 score against the host team Tillsonburg. Exeter used the game to get acquainted with the additions to the team and by the end of the game were begin- ning to show signs of cohesion. The Fury unveiled their new red jerseys in the second game against the German Canadians from London and the new uniforms brought some luck with them. Pete McAllister's goal from in close held up as the lone marker of the game. Ryan Hern earned the shutout in goal as the Fury's regular keeper Nate Holmes was nurs- ing an injury. T h e third game had Exeter needing a tie to advance to the play- offs and they accom- plished their goal by playing to a scoreless draw against Delhi. The start of the play- offs saw the length of games reduced to 20 minute halves instead of 25 as all teams were beginning to feel the affects of a long day of action. The Fury jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Matt Strano and then the defence went to work trying to hold off a talented Brantford offense. Exeter escaped with the lead at the half but a fluke goal in the sec- ond half gave Brantford momentum and they added two more quick tallies to finish off the Fury 3-1. "It was a fun day of soccer and we needed these games to get a feel for how we want to play during the regular season," said McFalls. "Ryan Hern played very well for his first appearance in net since 1996 and I am proud of the rest of the guys for how they com- peted hard all day," McFalls added. The first game of the season for the Fury is at home May 16 at 7 p.m. versus Hispanos. Ryan Hern