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Times-Advocate, 1999-04-28, Page 19THIS WSW IN SPOUTS Plenty of soccer and rugby action at South Huron High. Page 20 Exeter Minor Hockey honours its best young players. Page 22 Sorts Il:�ll' \i \0(_\lis SPORTS TIPS? Contact Sports Editor Craig Bradford Tel: (519) 235-1336 ext. 113 Fax: (519) 235-0766 E-mail: sports@SouthHuron.com Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, April 28, 1999 Page 19 Lucan Minor Hockey celebrates 50 years of fun and friendships By Craig Bradford TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — Lucan Minor Hockey capped its fairy tale 50th anniversary sea- son with a celebration honouring the past, pre- sent resent and future at Lucan Community Memorial Centre Saturday night. And a fairy tale this sea- son has been for Lucan Minor .Hockey. Four of its teams went as far as they could: the Novice Rep Lasers won the OMHA West District champi- onship and the Atom Rep 'DD', Atom A/E and Bantam Rep 'DD' teams all won OMHA titles. The Lucan Jr. D Irish put the cherry on top for Lucan by winning the all - Ontario title on April 16 with a 5-2 win in game six over the Wellesley Applejacks. Lucan Minor -Lockey celebrated its anr.,versary and its banner season with a banquet and dance. Special guests included Jim and Donna Freeman who were instrumental in starting I,u'can Minor Hockey and seeing the association through its early years and beyond. Waterloo Jr. B Siskins general manager and coach Jerry Harrigan was also on hand. Harrigan is a Lucan native and a product of the Lucan Minor Hockey systef. In his speech to the gathered throng of young hockey players and their families, Harrigan remi- nisced about winning the '58/59 midget all -Ontario championship under the tutelage of coach Jim Freeman. He said that was the last time he sat down for a meal with Lucan Minor Hockey. "Man, you should stand A current Lucan great. Lucan Jr. D Irish player Chad Greenlee shared what it's like to be an all - Ontario champ at the Lucan Minor Hockey 50th anniversary banquet at. Lucan Arena Saturday night. up and give yourselves a hand," Harrigan said referring to the five all - Ontario titles and the 50th anniversary. "We're (in Waterloo) lucky to get two teams to win in a season. You've done a great job." Harrigan credited the efforts of volunteers for Lucan's continued suc- cess. "Minor hockey doesn't succeed without the help of volunteers." Harrigan had some advice for young hockey players as well. He said he looks for more than pure talent in the players he picks to be on his team. "The biggest thing for me is your work ethic," he said., While you can never be selfish while playing on a team, Harrigan said the drive to succeed has to come from inside each player. "You play for yourself," he said. "The only guy you can't 'lie to is the guy in the mirror." Harrigan urged players to thank their parents for all they do like driving them to early morning practfc6s and driving all. over Ontario for games. He also urged young peo- ple to stay in school and apply themselves to their studies. Harrigan ended his .speech with a heartfelt thank you to Jim Freeman for starting him out right in his hockey career. In a later interview with the Times -Advocate, Harrigan said his top memory while playing for Freeman was a move Freeman made during a midget game versus Zurich. Harrigan said Freeman pulled the normal goalie out and put him on defence and brought in a bantam goalie. The move Stretchhh... Stretching for gold. Biddulph Central School student Julie Medd shows how limber she is during her junior girls mats and music routine at the Thames Valley Elementary Schools gym- nastics performances at Lucan Community Memorial Centre Iasi week. Students from ele- mentary schools throughout Middlesex County descended on the Lucan Arena all last week for the annual competition. seemed strange at first, but it worked and Lucan won the game. Lucan Irish assistant captain Chad Greenlee also spoke. Greenlee has played in six all -Ontario championship series in a Lucan uniform, four of which his team came out on top. Greenlee said hockey is more than just a game. "You're always learn- ing, every day," he said. "Everyone of my coaches has taught me some- thing." Greenlee said winning all -Ontario titles are "what dreams are made of. "You have to cherish them whenever they do (happen)." Other than the on -ice celebration after winning game six in Wellesley (and the after game fire truck ride and party), Greenlee said the high- light of the experience was a phone message he received before game six from one of his former all -Ontario championship winning coaches, Andy Ross. Greenlee said Ross told him he wasn't able to make game six -in Wellesley but would be at game seven, God forbid, in Lucan if they lost. Ross encouraged Greenlee to do his best and the Irish would persevere. 'That made my whole day," Greenlee said of the message. "When you get r A past Lucan great. Waterloo Jr. B Siskins general manager/coach Jerry Harrigan returned to his home- town Saturday night for the Lucan Minor Hockey 50th anniversary celebration at Lucan Community Memorial Centre. Harrigan spoke of his beloved for- mer coach Jim Freeman, the hard work ethic and congratulated Lucan Minor Hockey for four all - Ontario championships plus the Lucan Jr. D Irish's OHM title: a phone call like that you realize how special minor hockey is." After the speeches all five provincial champion teams were piped in one by one and all the players and coaches introduced. The Lucan Athletic Association (Lucan Minor Hockey) annual meeting is May 10, 7 p.m., in the Lucan Community Memorial Centre's Leprechaun Hall. All minor hockey par- ents are invited to the meeting. i ,rz, • ti 'The Greediest" Air? easj =arca J 7 • • PRO REPUCA JERSEY With authentic pro -sewn name and number in; 439.'e Home & Away Reg. $159.95 NEW YORK RANGER GRETZKY 99 HATS g2195 -27B6 4 styles to choose from including "on -ice" 99 Hat GRETZKY "GREAT .,.� MOMENTS" T-SHIRTS /��O/O1LA YE? $ 24.5 2 styles to choose from Limited Supply!