HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1984-11-28, Page 2 (2)132 ® THE HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMBER 5, 1984
McLI a n closer to dream
-�
Junior 'A'.worth the effort
Playing Junior A hockey is one step
Upwards the realization of a childhood
dream for David McLlwain.
The 17 -year-old Seaforth native is a
member of the Kitchener Rangers of the
Ontario Major A Hockey leagguye. He is a
son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack McLlwain.
"I think everyone, as a little kid, has the
dream of gletting up there. I guess mine
came true, so far," says David of his
appointment to the Rangers.
"Everyone looks at it and wants a Brack
at it. To try for the pros ii)everyone's goal.
And this is the first step."
When David received his invitation to
the Ranger training camp in Aug. he says
he was unsure what would come of it.
Ignored in the regulation midget draft
David admits he didn't give himself much
hope of making, the Ranger lineup.
"I didn't know what to expect. Not too
many make it itthey aren't drafted. You're
up against the a guys that -were drafted
really high and you're there on an
invitation. You dont really give yourself
much hope," he says.,
But prior to the camp David says he
made the decision that whatever happened
would be entirely up. to him and that he'd
better go in to the camp with a positive
attitude.
"When I went out i told myself it was up
to me, that I'm here and I'd better give it
my best shot."
As it turned out, David dirt well in
try -outs and was kept by the Rangers. But
making the team didn't settle things .for
David who admits he still harboured
doubts abot t 'playing Junior A hockey. It
was only after encouragement• from his
father that David made the final move to
Kitchener.
"At first I didn't want to stay, but 1 did.
Now I'm 100 per cent glad that 1 did stay."
After three months with the Ranger
organization, David says he feels at home.
"At first 1 didn't now what to expect, but
now 1 love Kitchener. There are so many
things to dq, and the team has a good
reputation. The fans are right behind us all
the way."
• Part of the ease of the transition has
been' made smoother by the comarderie of
the Ranger players, off the ice and the
support David says he is receiving from his
family and friends in Seaforth.
"The guys all hang around together.
And 1 have lots of friends. My 'parents and
friends come down to see me all the time,
so it's hard to get homesick,"
And the ease with which David seems to
be adapting to his new location has been
observed from those within the Ranger
organization.
It's hard tt_
get h &sick
"Yon can usually tell which players.are
going to be able to cope with the fast pace
of Junior A hockey. 1 think McLlwain will
make out 'okay , I really do," says Ranger
trainer Les Bradley, '
"He's got the desire and the ability. It
just takes time to get the legs and skills,
but that'll come."
• "It's a big jump from Junior 13 to adapt
to the daily practices and demanding game
schedule, so for the guy coming from lower
than that it's easy to get lost, But,
McLlwain, he's got good hockey sense and
that's what keeps him here." he says.
David credits a strong minor hockey
system in Seaforth for his success,
Ranger Director Dave McLelland, also
admires McLlwain.
"I, think he's good, he's got lots of
potential. I like his hustle. The thing is he's
a rookie and needs to get the experience..
And he's g ' : •" says Mr. Iv cLelland.
But bei g a rookie on the Rlgers–is
tough.
"`You've got to be patient. At first 1 was
put off that I wasn't playing more, but I'
realized that this is a year of learning for
me, It's the mitre with all the rookies,"
says David.
"It's hard though, you want to get out
there, and you want to get the chance to
play.,But you realize, that this is a faster
pace of hockey than you've been used to.
And you're playing with, and against, a lot
of experienced guys --guys who have been
in NHL camps. ,
David says he knows he still has a lot to
do to improve himself and he's taking that
seriously. By working out regularly at a
gym in Kitchener David says he hopes to
build son* of the strength he's lacking.
"Everyone's got to improve their
strength. It will enable me to skate faster.
With the weights, and with every practice,
I can feel myself improving a little bit. 1
just hope 1 can continue to improve."
More recently with the return of Shawn
Burr from the Detroit Red Wings there has
been some speculation about David's
chances with the Rangers. Rumors that he
could be replaced by Burr have been
denied. David says he feels no threat from
Burr at this time. -
"He hasn't frightened me yet. Sure he'll
get played before I will; but next year
I hope some rookie will be saying that
' about me,". he says.
Members' of the organization say at
present that Burr is a threat to David in
name only. They say he has the ability but
has yet to put it into motion since his return
to the Rangers.
And+David, he says he'll just continue on
as before, practicing hard and getting on
the ice whenever he gets the chance.
Despite limited ice time, David has
scored two goals -and is credited with eight
assists. He was one of the top goal scorers
in the Junior D hockey system last season.
"The more 1 get played the more i'll
know I'm doing better. It's hard work,
everything's hard work. But if you want it
you have to work for it."
HOCKEY HERO—David McLlwain has . hockey.
made a name for small town guys In Junior A
(Mcllwraith photo)
'BUSINESS-
Direct.)
GARY BANNON
Painting, Decorating,
Paoerhanging
Interior and Exterior
FREE ESTIMATES
Phone 527.1582
Seatorth, Ont
BEAN KNIVES
Drawn & Repaired
Bring them in now!
WINTHROP IRON
527-1970
after 6 p.m.
Portable Welding
and
Metal' Fabricating
—Reasonable Rates—
Don McL.nnnaghan
R.R. N2 Blyth, Ont.
887-6673
YO2d
a!Ml,:?4
Painting & Decorating
Textured Ceilings
Airless Spraying
Paperhanging
Residential/ Commercial
Industrial. Dublin Ontario
WOcaVOZ
46 David
Longstaff
Ltd.
Optician
87 Main Si. S. Scaforth •'`
OPTOMETRISTS AND
11PIIT11 Al
MOI ()(GISTS
Prescriptions f Med
Prompt',
SUMMER HOURS
Mon Tues. Thurs Fri
10.5 30
Closed Wcd. & Sat:
Open. Tues. Evening
1iv appointment onk ,
COMPLETE OPTiCAI.
SERVICE
,527.1303
Phone
527-0240
Muffler [ld
®-fir
Mufflers guaranteed
,i iingassou
ass rt the car
SEAFORtH MOTORS
LTD.
527.1010
Can Holland
MASONRY
• Brick
• Block
• Angel Stone
Free Estimates
527-1906
STEVE MURRAY
INSURANCE
BROKERS LTD.
Home
Business •
Farm
Auto
For more information call
STEVE MURRAY
St. Columban
345-2172
SEAFORTH
INSURANCE
BROKER LIMITED
39 Main St., S.
Seaforth
e Home• Business
•Farm•Auto
•Sickness
& Accidents
•Investments
527-1610
482-38'12 482-3563
We Ha It AIII
Cellulose, Rock wool, 'F reglass, Polyurethane,
Vents, Poiy-caulking, weather Strippin
•Materlola For Every Nood-
Housos, Barns, Factories, otc.
LET US KEEP YOU IN THE
COMFORT ZONE.
Also s•ra sainting of most ovorything
CALL NOW FOR FREE ESTIMATES
NEIL PHILLIPS
CARPENTRY
• Journeyman certified
• interprovincial status
• Renovation,
new construction
FREE ESTIMATES
Call Neil at 527-1359
R.R. N1 Dublin
JEWF.I.LERS
• DIAMONDS • WATCHES
• JEWELLERY• FINE CHINA
• ENGRAVING SERVICE
Gifts for every occasion
All Types of Repairs
Phone 527-0270
Whitney-Ribey
Funeral Home
CEMETERY
MONUMENTS
ROSS W RIBEY
D-RECTOA
N7 (,nderichSt.. Scaforth
PHONE 527-1390
Sincere and
CoLrteous Service
Hammer Milts
Roller Mill
SALES & •
SERVICE
Installation & Parts
Keith Siemon
FARM SYSTEMS LTD.
R.R. 4 WALTON
PH. 345-2734 (anytirmel
or Clinton
482-7971
FOR 'REE PLANNING
AND ESTIMATES -
Feed, Seed, Fertilizer
Farm Supplies.
Petroleum Supplies.
Heating Oils
Seaforth Co-op
527-0770
Hildebrand
Flowers
15 Main St.
Seatorth
Office 527-0555
Res. 527-1784
1s. Complete Floral Service
with a personal touch
SEW AND SAVE
CENTRE LIMITED
Sewing Maclaine Specialists
Repairs to all makes
• I Rt 1 fSTIMATFS
• AI I WORK GUARANTEE 1)
',All S Husnvarna White
E Ina. lanome, lots M
used machines
Mastercharge Visa
( loser/ Mondays
149 Downie St.
12 doors south of Hudsons l
STRATFORD 271-9660
Bus. 527.1242
Res. 527.1942
T. J. DEVEREAUX
B.Sc., D.C.
Chiropractor
77 Main St. Seaforth, Ont.
NOK IWO
NEW HOURS:
Mon. 8:30.12
1:30.6:00
Tues.. Thurs. 8:30.12
3:30-8:30
Wed., Fri. Sat. 8:30.12
BLAKE
SEPTIC
TANK
SERVICE
Specializing in -
SEPTI 1 TANK
CLEANING
Phone anytime
519-887-6800
New Management
Gordon Johnston
Geo. A. Sills
& Sons.,;
MERCHANTS
PLUMfltNG-HEA11NG
6
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
Phone
527.1 620
Home
Hardware
Scaforth
FLANAGAN
CARPENTRY
Al ,rn.num siding home
whin at,nns additions
framing rooting res,
decrial and tarm build
ung
RI, 1
PE 1 ER FLANAGAN 5271199
Appliance .,
and Refrigeration
REPAIR
SERVICE
JimBroadfoot
482-7032
#'
u.
Expert interior &
Exterior Decorating
Wallcoverings
Kem Pa
Kem Paints
Window Shades
Hildebrand
Paint & Paper
Phorre 5271880
15 Main 51., Seaforth
Ru Idris
unci 1'1Sh
H. TEN PAS
CONSTRUCTION
LTD
ESIDENTIAL — COMMERCIA
Mill St. West•Brussels
NOG 1110.887.6408
\y r .,•
rind n.ldll
fella And Huns \\ ind,,, -
PalmOnor, 1,.ulatkil
I ntr,,n„ I1nni. In.ul r(Ja,.
Ski I.D. needed
Skiers beware, you may be a target for a
thief! Skis and ski equipment thefts are
crimes of opportunity. Help prevent a crime!
During the 1983-84 ski season, 121 ski
thefts and 47 ski equipment and other thefts,
valued at approximately $52,681. took place
•in the Blue Mountain area. The ratio for ski
thefts was one per 2.512 skiers.
The majority of ski equipment -,iis not
identifiable by the owner, so the Ontario
Provincial Police will again be conducting
their operation ski identification program,
starting Dec. 8 and ending in Jan, Officers
will be on hand on Saturdays and Sundays as
well as from Dec. 26 to Dec. 30, inclusive.
The program includes the engraving of
your driver's licence of motor vehicle• plate
number on skis, bindings, poles, etc., a
wallet -sized identification card, anti -theft
stickers and a brochure. There is no charge
for this'service.
Midgets
tie and win
Seaforth travelled to Zurich on Nov. Z6.•
Although Seaforth came out on top it was a
very one-sided game with Seaforth winning;
13-1.
Mike Betties scored four for Scaforth. Scott
Driscoll scored three and Dave Akcy three,
Pat Murray and Ron Pryce each scored twc
while Kevin Cooper. and Trevor Price each
scored one.
Mark Laporte scored the loan goal for
Zurich.
On Nov. 27, Mitchell travelled to Seafortli
for an evenly matched game.
Halfway through the first period Mike
Beales opened the scoring for Scaforth on A
pass from Kevin Cooper.
Mitchell answered quickly with two goal
scored by Jeff Hansen and Joe Schoonder'
woerd.
.lust into the second period Pat Murray
scored assisted by Ron Pryce tying the game
2.2. At the 7:15 mark of the second period.
Mike Murphy scored for Mitchell putting
them ahead by one.
At 7:04 of the third period, Ron Pryce
scored on a pass from Pat Murray leaving the
final score of the game tied at 3.3,
Mitchell travels to Seaforth nn Dec, 4.
Clinton travels to Seaforth on Dec. 11 for an
8:15 p.m. game. Seaforth•travels to Goderich
for an 8 p.m. game on Dec. 12.
Loughrey's
Jewellery
& Gifts
MITCHELL PH. 348.9607