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The Times Advocate, 2004-12-22, Page 15Wednesday, December 22 2004 Exeter Times—Advocate 15 2004 Huron -Perth AAA Lakers review Continued from page 14 anyone tougher, pound for pound. But if you think the physical end is all this guy brings to the rink you're wrong. He's a deadly sniper who's quick on his feet, and can bury the biscuit as well as most. 'Frenchy' is in his third season with the team and is a charter member of the 'Habs' fan club. What are the team's goals this season? As always, the main thrust of our program is the individual growth of the players skills in the team set- ting. In terms of wins and losses, last season we England Aquarium. The players got to ride on the very same 'Duck Boats' the World Champion Boston Red Sox rode on, as we took a tour of the city by 'Duck boat.' We took a tour in and around Fenway Park, visited Fanneiuel Hall, shopped Boston's Quincey Market and had lots of fun rid- ing the Boston Subway system in and around the 'Big Dig.' It was a terrifically educational visit to go along with some fast - paced AAA hockey action. What is the difference between playing rep hockey and 'AAA'? The AAA level in finished with nine wins,21 losses and two ties for 20 points. That was good growth over our previous year (a jump of 13 points in the standings). So this season the coaching staff set similar goals to increase the win column by six, which would take us to the .500 mark, and look to have the team win a playoff series. The team's performance to date has far overshot those marks, with the team playing at a clip of .713. We'll hope they'll keep up the hardwork. What has been the highlight of the season so far? The team spent most of the summer fundraising, to travel to Boston, Mass., to play in an invi- tational tourney. This was a spectacular event for the kids and their families. Although the team lost a tough championship final game 6-3, they played superbly, going undefeated in the four game round robin and winning their semi-final game 3-2 over Detroit's Victory Honda. The team was thrilled to have Goderich native and former Boston Bruin Gary Doak drop into the dressing room prior to the tournament's second game. Gary spoke to the boys and gave them all a personalized autographed picture of him in his Bruin days and the coaching staff took Gary's Stanley Cup ring around the room for all the kids to rub for luck. The six day trip was filled with highlights like; watching Ray Bourque's son play while attending an NCAA hockey game between Boston University and Harvard, taking a walking tour of Harvard University and visiting the New Dylan B edard Huron -Perth offers three hours of practice time per week and a level of game competition that can't be matched in the home centre. The ability to play against and practice with players of equal or greater ability can only lead to further development of the advanced player. The Huron -Perth Lakers AAA Minor Hockey Association is working hard to promote the advanced players from Huron and Perth counties to the next level. The triple A organization can offer 'linkage' to Junior Hockey, as OHF statistics from the last couple of sea- sons have shown, almost 90 per cent of all kids playing their first year of Junior Hockey in Ontario, came directly from the AAA level. Major Peewee: age level 12 year olds Coach: Jim Campbell Last season's record - 23 -4-5 (second overall) - the team lost in last season's Alliance Championship Current record: 17- 2-5 (first overall) Team strengths: We have a highly skilled group of players and speed would be our Tyler B best asset. The commitment level of the players and parents of this team is commendable. Team weaknesses: Consistency - Great team and we are trying bring our best game to the rink for every game. What this team has learned over the years is team play. A skilled group of players needs to all be on the same page with respect to team strategies. With the speed of the game at this level there needs to be some team strategies. Changes: The team has added some key pieces to this years team. We had areas as a team, we needed to improve on. We have taken steps in the right direction to bring in the best available players and yet keep the positive team chem- istry and overall skill level. Special Challenges: This team has overcome one major hurdle this season which is the idea they can play with and beat the best teams in North America. Some of the Toronto area teams are historically strong. In previous seasons we had been unable to compete with these teams. This past November the team participated in the Big Nickel Tournament in Sudbury which is known as one of the best tour- naments by bringing together the top teams in the province. The major peewees won their division during round robin play and lost in the semi-finals to the eventual tournament winner. In the process this team went undefeated until the semi-final while playing against teams that had beaten them in previous years. Tell me briefly about the players from the T -A reader- ship area? Sean Consitt from Hensall is in his third year with the team and plays centre on the team. He has taken on an important leadership role on this team and brings a great effort and impressive skill level to each game. Tyler Bryson from Exeter is in his first year with the Lakers. Bryson was a key pick - Sean C onstitt ryson up for this years team. When I filled out my wish list for this years team a player like Tyler was at the top, which was a very steady defenseman with good offensive skills and who can bring a presence to the ice. He has brought his game up to the AAA level very quickly at one of the most difficult posi- tions. Highlight of the season? A few things come to mind. The success the team experi- enced in the Big Nickel Tournament and the overall success the team is having dur- ing the regular season. Differences between Rep & AAA? The biggest difference is the speed of the game - this effects a number of factors. The players have less time to make a decision, with and with- out the puck. The overall talent level of the AAA teams are much higher. There are no weak players. Even the weaker players in the AAA level would be the better players in their home centres. Also, the commitment to play- er improvement is greater in AAA. The commitment of the orga- nization to offer the players the tools to improve, such as ice - time, professional informa- tion and seminars (diet & exercise). On average local hockey centres can only offer one one-hour practice per week. With the Lakers, players are given two one and a half hour practices per week. This is more than 50 additional hours of practice time per player per season. Age level: Major Bantam 14 year olds Coach: Michael Brooks Last season's record and playoff result (if any): I did not coach so I am not sure. Current record: 10-13-4 What are your team's strengths? We are one of the hardest working teams in the league. When we have all 17 of our players committed to the game there isn't a team in our league that we can't beat. We are a very strong defensive team as we do not allow many goals. What are your team's weaknesses? Our weaknesses would be goal scoring. We get lots of chances but we just can't seem to finish them off. What did you learn from the inaugural year? This is my first year coaching at this level, so everything is new to me within the organization. It has been a great all round experience as it is a exceptional program they offer. Any changes this year? What are they? There are always changes throughout the year and the biggest for my team is the introduction of systems hockey. This is new for them and there is lots to learn so fine tuning these systems to best work with our team is always taking place. Any special challenges your players have to overcome? We have had a few injuries just recently and had one of our players in the hospital with a serious illness to which he has pulled through from. Tell me briefly about the players from the T -A reader- ship area We have four players from within this area. Tim Campbell is from Hensall and has the ability to be one of the strongest players in our league. Aaron Bedard who is also from Hensall is a goaltender who gives everything he has when it's his turn to play. James Marsden from Exeter, is a big and very physical player who has a drive for the puck and net. JJ Sparling from Varna works hard every time he is one the ice and is excel- lent on the penalty kill. What are the team's goals this season? Goal setting is something we are working on this year on the individual level As a team our major goal is never to be out worked and as long as we achieve that goal, success will come in many ways. What has been the highlight of the sea- son so far? I think the high- light for me this sea- son is seeing the improvements from when this team was first on the ice. Each player has improved their game Tim Campbell Aaron Bedard James Marsden JJ Sparling and as long as that keeps happening we are on the right track. What is the differ- ence between play- ing rep hockey and 'AAA'? There are so many differences between rep hockey and 'AAA' that it would be hard to list them all. The Lakers orga- nization offers the best hockey that kids at this age can play. You are playing against the best players at your age level and getting much more ice time. Rep hockey is great if you just enjoy to play the game and hang out with your friends, but if you are serious about the game there is no comparison. OUR REG. PRICES II ine Furniture & Window Fashions 467 MAIN ST. EXETER 235-0173