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The Citizen, 1990-02-21, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1990. Top scorer Marty Rutledge reflects on hockey career BY LISA BOONSTOPPEL his contributions to last year’s It’s the playoff time in hockey season and the Junior ‘C’ Brussels Bulls are vying for top spot in the league. The Bulls centre and top scorer, Marty Rutledge has been dreading the playoffs - not because he thinks the Bulls won’t win, but because the playoffs signal the end of the hockey season and the end of team. “He’s a natural goal scorer,’’ said Steve Coulter, manager of the Brussels Bulls, “there are some games where he just does some unbelievable stuff.’’ Hugh Nichol, head coach for the Bulls said “Marty’s strength is his ability to control the play. He really Bully for him It’s Marty Rutledge’s last year of eligibility to play for the Brussels Bullsand as the end looms near, Marty reflected on his hockey career that began when he was four years old and has earned him over 50 awards and medals. his eligibility to play for the Bulls. As his graduation from the team looms near, Marty reflected on his past accomplishments and his lost hopes for a chance to play in the big leagues. Marty is not only the Bulls top scorer but also the Western Ontario Junior ‘C’ League’s top scorer with a total of 90 points during the 30 games of the regular season. He was also voted as Most Valuable Player for the entire league - a distinction he was also credited for last year in the Junior ‘D’ league along with their top league scorer as he earned 117 points in 36 regular games. Moreover, Marty has been chosen for the league’s all-star team for the last two years and was awarded a game star for knows his hockey and is a smart play maker for setting up plays.” For the Brussels Bulls, Marty’s innate talent for the game has been a tremendous asset to the team as his scoring ability has led the team to many wins throughout the season. But, this is the last year that Marty will be able to score goals for the Bulls since Marty has reached the age where he is no longer eligible to play in the Junior division. Marty has been playing this season in his 21st year which is the maximum age a person can play in the 14-21 year-old division. Marty’s hockey career began at the age of four when, like most young boys, he dreamed of some­ day playing in the National Hockey League (NHL). Marty played all his minor years in the Brussels organ­ ization with the exception of two years he played in Blyth when Brussels couldn’t round up enough players for a team. Then, while he was of age to play on a midget hockey team, Marty got his first taste of the Junior League when he joined the Bulls for the 85/86 season and the 86/87 season while still playing on the Midget teams. “I played a lot of hockey practicing and playing with both teams,” said Marty. In his 17th year, Marty advanced to play with the Listowel Junior ‘B’ team but soon found with the pressures of high school, he couldn’t spend so much time travelling and he left to return to the Brussels Bulls. This is his second season back with the Bulls. But during his years in Brussels, Marty was trying out for better teams. “I had always wanted to go further,” said Marty, “and a lot of people thought I could.” Yet from the time Marty was 14, he was receiving a lot of rejections from teams he was trying out for. “I just wasn’t big enough,” said Marty. Now a hefty, 5’10”, 190 pounds, Marty was only 5’6” and 150 pounds when he was trying out for high calibre teams. He tried out for about four teams and most coaches told him he didn’t have enough size and that he was too young. His luck didn’t change in 1987 when the Kitchener Junior ‘B’ team kept him on to play a few games until players from Kitchener’s ‘A’ team came back and he was told to leave. ‘ ‘It was kind of frustrating, ’ ’ said Marty who added that he never really got any breaks. Then, in that same year, it seemed that the Richmond Hill ‘A’ team was inter­ ested in the little Brussels player. “I was there for a long tie and we had even talked about living ar­ rangements,” said Marty but when try-outs for the team started at the end of the summer, Marty was really out-of-shape because of a chainsaw accident he had during the summer. He had cut open his leg with a chainsaw and stitches came out just days before the try-outs. When he didn’t make the Rich­ mond Hill team, it was a big disappointment for Marty. “That was my draft year and players just don’t get drafted from Junior ‘D’,” said Marty who had returned to play in Brussels after he failed to make the team. “That was my turning point and I kind of lost hope of getting anywhere after that.” “I thought I could make it to the NHL for the longest time,” said Marty who believes that he might have had a better chance if he hadn’t been so small. Mr. Nichol said that besides Marty’s size he doesn’t think that Marty could have made it because there were too many other things against him - mainly the pressure. “Marty has too much pressure on him because he is the star player and sometimes he tries to do too much,” said Mr. Nichol. “Marty is expected to score and when he doesn’t that is the first thing you notice. Then he gets into trouble when he doesn’t score because he overdoes it and he tries to do it all himself.” Marty himself admits he gets frustrated pretty easily which can affect his game. Mr. Coulter said that Marty’s weakness is his back-checking abil­ ity and felt that if someone had caught sight of Marty earlier on, he might have developed into a more all-around player. But Marty has really enjoyed his years in the Junior division, espe­ cially in the ‘C’ division that the Bulls were playing in this year. “There is better competition in ‘C’ and it’s a fairly unpredictable division since any team can beat another team on a given night,” he said. x“The ‘D’ division is more sluggish hockey. They’re are more goons and tougher guys.” These are the guys Marty needs to stay away from said Mr. Coulter who likes to keep Marty playing the centre position instead of the wings because “it keeps him from getting banged around.” And Marty is going to miss playing hockey with the Bulls. “I’m a little depressed,” he said. “I like being known in the league. I lik the pressure and responsibilit knowing that I am supposed t score,” he said. Now, along with planning hi future hockey career, Marty is als pondering whether he should hav accepted a recent offer to play on Junior *A’ team in Saskatchewan He had been called to play for th< team but turned down the offe because it would have been ver expensive to try-out for the tean and it would have seriously set back his schooling at Fanshaw< College where he is studying purchasing and marketing. But, although Marty has burie< his dreams of making it to the NHL he plans to continue playing hoc key. “I’d go nuts if I didn’t have t( play hockey on weekends,” sai< Marty who is considering joining the Brussels Intermediate team ii the Western Ontario League. Hi: coach said he would like to se< Marty play for an Ontario Hockej Association Senior hockey tean because it’s a higher calibre o hockey but Marty just isn’t sure where he’ll head to next in his hockey career. He does know that for the Iasi two years he has had “a lot of fun’ and with all his awards (he has ovei 50 trophies and medals) he may be one of the best hockey players eve. to play in Brussels. TODAY'S VARIETY & GENERAL STORE LONDESBORO OPEN7DAYSAWEEK 7:30-9p.m. NINTENDO DISHCLOTHS 49c EA. TEATOWELS 99cEA. HURON COUNTY WASTE MANAGEMENT MASTER PLAN Notice of Public Meeting and Open House The Waste Management Master Plan Stage 2A Preliminary Report (Iden­ tification of Potential Areas and Markets) is now available for public review. The Stage 2A Preliminary Report includes constraint maps for Huron County, identifying areas which are suitable for further investiga­ tion as potential landfill site areas. The Report also discusses markets for recycled materials, outlines possibilities for future waste management administration, and discusses tentative considerations with respect to the appropriate components of a waste management system for Huron County. Public Meetings to discuss this Report have been scheduled for Wed., March 7, 1990 Thurs., March 8, 1990 Hensail Arena Blyth Arena 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Clinton club holds Valentine dance The Clinton Round Dance Club held their Valentine dance Friday evening in the Clinton Public School. Lois and Ed Wise began the program with the theme song “Happy Hearts” followed by many dance pieces all associated with love: Waltz of the Roses, Sweet­ heart, Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses, Red Carnations and Roses for Elizabeth, just a few of an enjoyable evening. The gym was decorated with hearts, eupids and homemade candy. Belgrave WMS holds meeting The W.M.S. held their meeting in the Presbyterian Church Mon­ day, February 12. Mrs. Garner Nicholson opened with the Call to Worship. A hymn was sung followed by scripture from St. John by Mrs. Ivy Cloakey. Mrs. Lottie Scott read a meditation and Mrs. Mac Scott led in prayer. The roll call was answer­ ed by a verse on Love. Mrs. Robena McBumey gave the secretary’s report and Mrs. Cloa­ key read the financial report. Mrs. Cloakey read the second chapter of the study on the Philippines. Mrs. Nicholson gave a report on the Presbyterial annual meeting. Mrs. Hazel Dalrymple gave a reading on Love and Mrs. Margaet Siertsema sung and Mrs. Nicholson closed with prayer. Lois and Ed were presented with a bouquet of red carnations by Lois McGill, Goderich, on behalf of the dancers. President Ross and Mildred Merrill, Goderich and Florence Wightman, RR 2, Auburn present­ ed a skit “T.V. Commentators”. A video of the evening was taped for Lois and Ed to take to Florida when they visit Marion and Ross Leakey who are spending the winter there. i ONTARIO MARCH OF DIMES Blyth Arena 7:30 p.m. (Open House - 3:30 to 7:00 p.m.) (Open House • 3:30 to 7:00 p.m.) ____________________________________________________ In addition Open Houses will be held at the following locations: Mon., Feb. 26, 1990 Tues., Feb. 27, 1990 Wed., Feb. 28, 1990 Thurs., March 1, 1990 Seaforth Municipal Office Goderich Municipal Office Exeter Municipal Office Wingham Municipal Office 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. The Open Houses provide an opportunity to drop in and review the infor­ mation contained in the Stage 2A Report, to discuss questions or con­ cerns with staff on an individual basis, and to provide comments and input. Copies of the Stage 2A Preliminary Report are available for loam at all main branch libraries in Huron County, at all municipal offices, or at the Huron County Department of Planning and Development. A limited number of copies are available for sale. A newsletter which provides a sum­ mary of the key findings of the Report can be obtained from the same locations. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jo-Anne Richter, Project Co-ordinator Huron County Department of Planning and Development Courthouse, Goderich, Ont. N7A 1M2 Phone (519) 524-2188 (If calling long distance, please call collect) NOTE: Coffee will be available at all meetings. Please bring your own mug!