Redmen Pleased to Announce Return of Williams From the West Thursday April 29, 2004 WHITBY -- In the 2003 summer campaign, Shawn Williams played for the Coquitlam Adanacs. In the 2004 National Lacrosse League season he played for the Rochester Knighthawks and stepped up his role as an offensive threat when sniper John Grant Jr went down with an injury. He played 16 games for the Hawks, scoring 45 goals, adding 36 assists for 81 points. He was 8th overall in the NLL in points and 3rd overall in goals scored, at a pace of almost three goals a game over the course of the season. Tonight, Redmen General Manager, Barry Johnson, is pleased to announce that # 51 will once again wear the Redmen uniform for the 2004 summer season. Williams is sure to boost a team that had a very good showing in 2003 despite a number of people who wrote them off after a number of veterans did not return to the line-up. Redmen training camp continues in preparation of their season opener Saturday May 15, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. when they host St. Catharines Major Athletics at Iroquois Park Sports Centre. www.brooklinredmenlacrosse.com Contact: Mark Stehlin 416.750.3590

Banner Year For Gaels? Clarington Looks To Regain Founder's Cup Form By Brad Kelly: durham.com Wednesday April 28, 2004 BOWMANVILLE -- On the eve of the season opener, the Clarington Green Gaels are hoping that this will be another banner year. Banner as in one that hangs from the rafters signifying another Founder's Cup championship, the top prize in Canadian Jr. B lacrosse. Since moving to Clarington from Oshawa in 1997, the Green Gaels have won Canadian championships in two-year cycles, the first in 1998, with subsequent titles that followed in 2000 and 2002. If that trend were to continue, 2004 would be a banner year. "Anything you can take as a positive, especially in a one-game championship (like the Founder's Cup) is helpful," says co-coach Jonas Derks of the team's history. "It's going to be a battle just to get to the Founder's Cup. "We have nine or ten kids who were on the team (that won) two years ago. And then we have some rookies who were on the best team in the province last year. There's not too much more we can ask for." The first step toward the Founder's will be taken tomorrow night, when the Green Gaels host the Saints (formerly Scarborough) at the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex in the season opener at 8 p.m. Coming off a disappointing season by Green Gaels' standards, based on an 11-8-1 regular season and first round playoff exit, the club didn't necessarily have to rebuild for this season. In fact, the team's top two scorers from a season ago, Shane Sargent (35-32-67) and Jim Mumford (19-34-53), are back in the fold, as is veteran goalkeeper Curtis Doherty. A veteran presence will also come with the addition of a couple of former Spartan (St. Catharines) team members, Jonathon Young and Steve Truzak. Another familiar face returning from the 2000 Founder's Cup team is Andy Glenn, who spent last season with the Whitby Warriors Jr. A team. "It's a real easy team to coach," notes Derks. "We're already working on a second and third defence and breakouts. I know guys who coach other teams and they're still working on passing and catching. We are so far ahead because the kids are smarter. "We just have to teach game-winning aspects and not fundamentals." At the other end of the scale, general manager Doug Luey has high expectations from a promising group of rookies including Alex Henderson, Cory Upshaw, Peter Vandenheuvel and Todd Collins. "I was really pleased with the intermediate and midget players. They really pushed the veterans to make it a great training camp," says Luey. What the rookies lack in experience, they make up for in speed, which will be an integral part of the Green Gaels arsenal this season. "We are going to play a lot less of an offensive and defensive style game," vows Luey. "Because of the speed and skill level of our roster, we are going to go up and down the floor." Before eyeing the final prize at the end of the playoffs, there are a couple of goals Luey would like to see the team accomplish during the regular season. Finishing first in the division obviously tops the list, followed by leading in the goals against department, an area the Green Gaels are annually among the leaders in. Last season, they finished tied for sixth in the 24-team league with a paltry 7.9 average. Scoring presented a problem, as the Green Gaels averaged just nine per game. Within the Mid East division, the defending Canadian champions from Barrie (15-4-1) have lost a number of players from last year's roster, while the Saints (formerly Scarborough, 12-8-0), Markham (7-13-0) and Huntsville (5-15-0) round out the division. As for the West, Luey expects Spartan, Elora and Orangeville to put strong teams on the floor.

Baby Steps The Goal For Mavs As Rocky Regular Season Begins By Steve LeBlanc: Canadian Champion Tuesday April 27, 2004 MILTON -- With some key veterans still out of the lineup and production alarmingly low -- especially on the right side -- victories could be in rather short supply this spring. But as long as there's regular improvement, head coach Trevor Reid won't go pushing the panic button. "There's a lot of work to do, don't get me wrong. But we're heading in the right direction," he said. Those comments followed Sunday's 7-4 loss at Oakville's Maplegrove Arena. Offensively, Milton continued to exhibit a one-dimensional set-up and lack of physical presence in high traffic areas. On the plus side, slightly fortified man-to-man coverage and a reduction in unsportsmanlike conduct penalties combined to keep things tight all afternoon. Coach cautiously optimistic "I told the guys I didn't want a five or six goal margin today. Two or three goals was at least acceptable," noted Reid, referring to the tightened gap between Friday's 11-4 home-opening defeat to Halton Hills and his team's first road loss. Now running with the host Buzz, former Maverick Brenden Thenhaus cemented the win with a powerplay marker with just over a minute remaining. This capped a five-point effort, as he and brother Morgan -- along with former Milton head coach Glen Little and Craig Hedley, a member of the 1999 Founders Cup host Mavericks who's now a defensive coach with Oakville -- outdistanced their old club. Kyle Goertz led the Mavericks with three assists, while rookie Chris Pedulla tallied twice. Also denting the twine were Troy Hazzard and Adam Rutz. At John Tonelli Sports Centre Friday, Milton seemed poised to make things interesting down the stretch -- netting back-to-back goals to draw within two. But Halton Hills -- once again far more seasoned and skilled than their neighbours this season -- would crush any hope for a suspenseful finish with a shorthanded tally and four more unanswered goals in the third period. Penalties costly The Bulldogs struck four times with the man-advantage as well, and overall enjoyed five-point performances from Mike Dube and Matt Lyons. For Milton, Jon Ram scored in the dying moments of periods one and two for the hosts' first multi-goal showing of the year. Rutz and Rick Gallinger chipped in singles. Rusty shooting and a handful of rash penalties were the Mavericks' biggest obstacles to keeping things close. A rather rough third period saw hosts Mike Novak, Chris Pedulla and Chris Seminerio slug it out with respective counterparts Ryan Oldham, Nick McLaughlin and Aaron Chaisson. Tandem partners Adam Elias and Chris Ingraham each enjoyed steady starts over the weekend, but both got the hook in the second half. The Mavericks could have injured veterans Kyle Hagel and Paul Pedulla back for Friday's game against Huntsville. Game time is 8:30 p.m. They close out the week in Barrie Sunday evening.

Warriors On Path To Getting Better For Jr."A" Season By John Herron: durham.com Tuesday April 27, 2004 WHITBY -- Despite losing their two leading scorers, the Whitby Warriors Junior A lacrosse team is expecting to improve on their semifinal loss to St.Catharines in last year's Ontario Lacrosse Association playoffs. "The league is pretty wide open this year because St. Catharines has lost a pile of guys after being extremely good for the past three years," said long-time Warriors GM Bob Hanna. "We've got some young players who are ready to step in so we'll be all right." Warriors leading scorer and team captain Stephen Hoar, along with the team's alternate captain and second leading scorer from a year ago Mark Craig, have moved on. Hanna is concerned with the loss of his two best players, but is very confident heading into this season as a slew of younger players seem ready to elevate their play and carry the team. Zack Greer, who netted 21 goals in only 13 games last season, is one of the players expected to fill the hole on offence. He and teammate Casey Logeman are also possible candidates to take on the responsibility of captain in Hoar's absence. Another player the veteran GM has high hopes for is Josh Colley. "Colley is one guy who we think is going to have a big year this year," said Hanna. "Josh had 23 goals last year so we're anticipating he'll get that plus more this year." Two players not with the Warriors last year, Tyler Perry and Cory Traecy, have really impressed Hanna and will stick with the big club. Traecy led his Barrie Junior B team in scoring last year with Perry doing the same for Markham. Goaltending is where the Warriors may have a distinct advantage over the rest of the league. Rick Passfield, who won a Founder's Cup with the Junior B Clarington Green Gaels in 2002, will stand between the pipes for the Warriors. "I think he'll definitely be one of the top goaltenders in the league this year," predicts Hanna. The entire coaching staff remains intact from 2003. Head coach Jeff McComb is looking to apply a new zone-defence this season. Assistant coaches Steve Toll and Ryan Harris will patrol the bench with McComb. Exhibition began Wednesday with the Warriors thumping Mississauga 11-5. The regular season kicks off for the Warriors on Tuesday, May 18 when they play host to archrival Peterborough. Hanna expects things to begin with a bang. "We always have to go to battle against Peterborough," cautioned Hanna. "It doesn't matter if we have a good team or they have a strong team. It's always a tough fight."

Smith Right At Home With Tornado Barrie Native Adds Much-Needed Scoring Punch After Loss Of Francis, Kennedy BY MIKE SPEERS: Barrie Examiner Tuesday April 27, 2004 BARRIE -- It seems like the perfect fit. Brandon Smith wanted to finish his junior lacrosse career in his home town of Barrie, while the Barrie Jr. ‘B’ Tornado — coming off a national championship — were looking for some offensive help, something they believe Smith could provide. Earlier this week, the two sides got the deal done. “When we lost Chad Francis (41 goals) and Justin Kennedy (24 goals) from the right side, we had to work to bring in a player to fill the void,” said Tornado general manager Mike Kloepfer. “I think we’ve done that. Brandon, I believe, will have an outstanding year. “He’s (the) kind of player who has really great speed and tremendous stick skills. He can really fire the ball.” Smith spent the last four seasons with the Brampton Excelsiors of the Ontario Jr. ‘A’ league, a step up from Jr. ‘B’. Last season, he had six goals and 11 assists in 14 games with the Excelsiors. The 20-year-old says he is looking forward to playing in front of family and friends. However, Smith isn’t just coming home. He’s also finally going to be playing with a winning organization, a fact absent in Brampton. The Excelsiors are a club that has been at or near the bottom of the Jr. ‘A’ standings for the past five-plus seasons. “I just wanted to play with my friends,” Smith said. “Barrie had a really strong season last year, winning a Founders Cup, and I want to win another. It’s a great opportunity and all the guys know how to win.” Kloepfer sees Smith’s Jr. ‘A’ experience as a positive and is expecting him to come in hungry for success. “I think he’s excited for the opportunity to play on a team that’s at the top of the league in Jr. ‘B’,” he said. “It’s also a homecoming for him, and I think he’s excited to come home to Barrie, where he grew up.” The Tornado also made a move last week to strengthen its goaltending situation, acquiring Patrick Chapin from the Scarborough Saints. The 19-year-old, who appeared in 19 games for the Saints last season, will back up Braden Deane. “We needed to think about who would be a good support mechanism and who would be able to grow with us next year and the year after that,” said Kloepfer. “The opportunity to get Patrick was there and we were able to make a deal and bring him in. “I see a goaltender that will give us the opportunity to develop and build,” he added. “I see the continuity. As Braden leaves junior lacrosse, we’ll have a good, young, strong goaltender ready to take over.” The 2004 season begins April 30, with Barrie’s home opener scheduled for May 2 against the Milton Mavericks.

No More Easy Escapes Saturday April 24, 2004 TORONTO -- Let's get rid of one bad rule, and crank lacrosse's intensity up even further. It's everything I love about lacrosse, and everything I wish were different - all rolled into one sequence. The attacking team swarms the net, ball flying from stick to stick as the goalie looks for clues and the defenders work frantically to adjust. Suddenly, there's a bullet shot to the low corner from behind a double screen. The goalie, who must have sensed the shot it because he never saw it, somehow manages to get his foot there in time. A huge groan rises from the crowd, but the play is far from over. The ball skitters into the corner, bouncing unpredictably as its furious backspin sizzles away unevenly against the turf. Lots of jostling in the corner. Bodies crash. Sticks fly. An attacking player thinks he's got the ball - but no! A swooping defender knocks it clean out of his stick and snags it on the first bounce. He looks for a way out, but everywhere he looks, the way is blocked. Does he make a dangerous pass? Does he put his head down and try to muscle his way out? Not in the NLL. Most times, he just passes it to his goaltender, who is waiting safely in the crease where the rules quite correctly say no one can touch him. ... And everyone runs to the bench. Reading that, could you feel the drama on the floor? More to the point, did you feel the air go out of it at the end? From a lacrosse point a view, there are many good reasons why this very play happens - again and again - in every NLL game. I'm not saying goalies shouldn't be protected, or teams shouldn't employ defensive specialists who race on and off the floor with virtually every position change. My problem is with that pass back to the goalie in the crease. To me, it sucks the life out of the game - usually at the most dramatic of moments. It's time to make a change. I'll admit that when I first started covering the NLL, I wasn't that big a fan of the pro game. Lacrosse, to me, was played on bare concrete floors in small town barns in the Ontario summer - with all the same players, no music in the background, and change in your pocket from the ten dollar bill you slipped them at the door. And this wasn't just about atmosphere and tradition. There are some significant rule differences between the NLL and the summer game. Just about always, I prefer the amateur rules. In the summer game, for example, passing the ball to the goalie in the crease is illegal. If you receive the ball in danger, you have to pass or run or scramble your way out. You are never allowed to dish it to the rules-protected safety of a goalie in the crease. To me, lacrosse is its most enjoyable, entrancing and addictive when there are crises breaking out all over the floor. Everywhere the ball goes, there's trouble. In the NLL, allowing these back passes ends that trouble. The play just stops. The biggest problem with this rule is it severely curtails forechecking. As soon as the goalie gets the ball, the forecheck is over because right away it's line change time. As a result, NLL teams have the luxury of crossing centre - completely unopposed on the transition - eighty, maybe ninety percent of the time. Oh, there's plenty of this going on in the summer game, too, but not nearly to this extent. This rule hurts the fans, because believe me, you're being denied at least a dozen dramatic tussles every night. Lacrosse's truly great forecheckers - Blaine Manning and Colin Doyle of Toronto, Josh Sanderson of San Jose, Rochester's Kim Squire - are being unfairly denied a chance to really shine at something which, frankly, is in danger of becoming a lost art. Usually in sports, when there's a trade-off, you get benefits as well as drawbacks. But honestly, I don't see any benefit at all in allowing defenders such an easy way out of potentially disastrous situations. The back pass certainly facilitates line changes, but there are far too many easy line changes in today's NLL. And what do we get for it? Breaks in the action? A chance for players to catch their breath? That may be okay in the NCAA or in the field game, but it ain't what I call box lacrosse. All these free escapes really do is increase an already alarming level of specialization. Heck, even in the summer game, defenders mostly defend and attackers mostly attack, but a loose ball near or behind the goal instantly turns everyone into two-way players because no one knows who's going to get the ball, or how far and how fast it's going to travel next. As intense as the NLL game unquestionably is, changing this rule would boost the action considerably. We don't need rules that make this deliciously tough game easier. It's time to put this field lacrosse rule out to pasture.

Welland Warlords assistant coach Mike Fishleigh Jr., left, discusses suggested lineups with head coach Mark Lewis at the junior B lacrosse team’s final practice of the pre-season Friday night at Welland Arena Attack Begins Warlords Open Jr "B" Season Tonight At Home By BERND FRANKE: Welland Tribune Saturday April 24, 2004 WELLAND -- The 2004 Welland Warlords remain a work in progress. While the junior B lacrosse team opens the regular season with home and away games this weekend, only 10 of the 23 player eligibility cards have been spoken for following nearly two weeks of training camp. New general manager Greg Reid, however, doesn’t feel any sense of urgency to flesh out a roster the he hopes will return the Warlords to the playoffs. The university season in the U.S. has just concluded so there’s a chance the team can pick up some players taking that route. “We’re taking a flexible approach to see how things develop,” explained Reid, whose team plays the Akwesasne Lightning in tonight’s home opener at Welland Arena. The team is taking a similar approach when it comes to determing the starting lineup for tonight’s game, including who will start in goal for the Warlords. “We are not starting with any preconceived notions,” said Reid, who is beginning his first season as general manager. “We’re getting away from the old notion that people have preset roles depending on their experience, and what they did last year. “From now on, minutes will depend on hustle and commitment.” A team that ranked 22nd out of 25 clubs in defence last season plans to open the 2004 schedule with three goaltenders, all of whom are from Welland. In addition to returning veterans Adam House, 18, and Jeff Skelton, 17, the Warlords also have high hopes for Chris Gammie, a 16-year-old Wellander who saw limited action last season as an affiliated player on loan from the Welland Minor Lacrosse Association’s intermediate team. Despite his youth, Gammie has the skills to move up to junior B this season, according to Reid. “He’s been the surprise of training camp,” the general manager said at a team practice Friday night. “He’s been been standing the shooters on their heads in practice. He’s been outstanding. “He looks like he’s going to play a significant role with us this year.” The Warlords have signed six veterans from Welland for another season. Thomas Collins, 20, is back for his final year while Marc Derochie, Eric Fishleigh, Andrew Maciag and Josh Stafford are all 19 years old. Nate Reid is 18. Headlining out-of-town players are a promising pair of 17-year-old runners on loan from Six Nations for one season and two players from the Buffalo area who are in their final year of eligibility. Reid said the players from Six Nations — Taylor Max Henry and Hawenaedus Thomas — are “going to fit in well with us.” Twenty-one-year-old Jameson Whitehead of Williamsville, N.Y., this year was the seventh-leading scorer in the U.S. college ranks while D.J. Szymanski, also 21 and also from Williamsville, is six foot tall and weighs 265 pounds. “He’s going to have some fun mixing it up out there this year,” Reid predicted with a chuckle. The other final-year player opening the season with the Warlords will be a familiar face to hockey fans in south Niagara. Edward Fox, who played goal for the junior B Welland Cougars and Port Colborne Sailors as well as with the junior C Dunnville Terriers, is a forward when he plays lacrosse. “He hasn’t played in two years, but you wouldn’t know it from his training camp,” Reid said of the 21-year-old Fox. “Once he picked up that stick it looked like he never missed a beat.” The roster may be a work in progress, but there’s no question the Warlords’ No. 1 requirement in 2004 is to tighten up a porous defence that made the team miss the playoffs for the first time in the three-year existence of the Welland franchise. Offensively, Welland was right up there with the big boys, finishing seventh out of the 25 junior B teams in the Ontario Lacrosse Association. The huge disparity between goals scored and goals allowed speaks volumes to second-year head coach Mark Lewis and the team’s new general manager. “To me, that’s indicative of a team that has a lot of talent but not a lot of work ethic,” Reid suggested. “Defence is hustle and playing smart, and we didn’t have it last year.”

Jr Lakers In Condition To Start Season By DALE CLIFFORD: Peterborough Examiner Friday April 23, 2004 PETERBOROUGH -- The easy part is Peterborough Merit Precision Junior Lakers will be well-conditioned when they step on the floor for their first OLA junior A exhibition game May 2. The difficult question is just who will those players be when they host Orillia at the Evinrude Centre 7 p.m? The Lakers, still with about 32 players on the camp roster, completed their fifth training session at the Evinrude last night. It followed a head start to the season of nine sessions at the Merit Precision warehouse on Fisher Drive in the city’s industrial park. They will hold practices at their summer home, the renovated Memorial Centre, 10-11:30 a.m. tomorrow and 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday. Following Sunday’s workouts, they will likely trim the roster to their regular-season limit of 20-21, according to head coach John Martin. “We haven’t cut anybody or signed anybody yet,” he said last night. “That will likely take place after Sunday and we will have a better idea where we are. We got a good head start with conditioning by working out in the warehouse and it was a good chance for the kids to get to know each other better. In the arena, they have been able to work more on skills like passing and checking. I’m pleased with the way it has gone.” The Lakers, who lost six players to graduation, play another exhibition game in Orillia 2 p.m. May 9 before opening the regular season against the defending Minto Cup champion Athletics in St. Catharines May 12. They host the Athletics in their home opener 7 p.m. May 16. Despite being close to their final team, the status is still up in the air regarding players like Cory Vitarelli, currently in OHL playoffs with Toronto St. Michael’s Majors, Josh Wasson, Scott Eldridge and Clair Donnelly, away at university and Aaron Grayson, working out west. While they lost leading scorer Dan Carey and third-leading scorer Brian Croswell to graduation, they still have second-leading gunner Shawn Evans, Wasson, captain Greg McIntyre and Mike Hobbins to show the way. Ryan Blair, a veteran from Brampton, and second-year player Craig Robertson, lead in goal. They lose only three players, Blair, Eldridge and Ken Bestard to graduation at the end of this season. “We will be younger and faster this year,” said Martin. “We will work hard on our transition game.” “Our level of fitness is good but we will need players to step at each of the floor,” said general manager Lee Vitarelli. Kyle Sorensen, 17 and in his second year, is ready to go. “Getting the early start helped us get in better shape and with confidence,” he said. “It has been good so far and the tempo has picked up.”

Redmen Trade By Mark Stehlin Thursday April 22, 2004 WHITBY -- Brooklin Redmen G.M. Barry Johnson has announced a trade involving the Akwesasne Thunder, the Redmen trade Jonas Derks to Akwesasne for Luke Wiles, first overall pick in the Major Series Draft this year and Minto Cup MVP in 2003. In the 2003 season, Wiles began playing for Orillia before a mid-season trade to the St. Catharines Athletics. In seven games for Orillia he scored 18 goals, assisted on 12 for 30 points and amassed 23 penalty minutes. He joined St. Catharines and soon made a name for himself on the team and ultimately was a huge addition on their road to being 2003 Minto Cup Champions. He played a handful of regular season games for St. Catharines, scoring 12 goals, assisting on 14 for 26 points. During the A’s playoff run he played in 12 games scoring 22 goals and adding 42 assists for 64 points. In the Minto Cup, Wiles led the way with 15 goals and 12 assists for 27 points. In an emotional ceremony he was named the tournament MVP and thanked his recently- deceased father whose funeral had taken place the day before the A’s were crowned Minto Cup Champs. Barry Johnson, club General Manager, said that he “was very pleased to have the opportunity to try and sign the best graduating Junior in Canada”. He added, “ Luke is presently attending the University of Delaware on a lacrosse scholarship and we feel that his playing for the Redmen will be good for his exposure”. The Redmen will open Training Camp on April 26, 2004 at 7:45 p.m. at Iroquois Park Sports Centre. The season opens at home for the Redmen on Saturday May 15, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. when they host the St.Catharines Major Athletics.

Gaels Perfect In Pre-Season Rookies Impressive In 4 Wins During Tournament By Brad Kelly: durham.com Photo By Ron Pietroniro Wednesday April 21, 2004 BOWMANVILLE -- The Clarington Green Gaels are hoping the rest of the season turns out to be as perfect as the start. The Jr. B lacrosse club served notice it can be included among the top teams this season, winning four of four games in a tournament Sunday at the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex in Bowmanville. The Green Gaels posted convincing 10-0 and 15-3 wins over the West Durham Rock intermediates, as well as beating league rivals Saints (formerly Scarborough) 8-7 and Mimico 10-8. Granted, the opposing teams may not have been at their mid-season best, but neither were the Green Gaels, who used split squads in the games to get a better gauge of the talent still remaining in training camp. While winning without tasting defeat wasn't the sole mission, it was a nice way to kick start what is hoped to be a promising season, observed coach Jason Crosbie. "(Winning) isn't a top priority right now, we're more looking to see what we've got. "But we have to produce a Green Gael feeling. The tradition of this team and organization is a good one and you have to pride yourself on winning." Jeff Tsuji, a late acquisition from Scarborough last season (11-9-20 in four games), led the Green Gaels scoring parade, netting 12 points in the three games he played. Among some of the other veterans who looked sharp included last season's top scorer Shane Sargent (35-32-67 in 19 games), along with James Barton (18-23-41 in 19 games), said general manager Doug Luey. But it's the young players who continue to impress, particularly Cory Upshaw, Peter Vandenheuvel, Alex Henderson, Joel Weber, Luke Carson and Colby Atkinson, added Luey. "There were only a couple of guys where it became obvious they can't play at the junior level," noted Luey of the ongoing talent evaluation. "We're pretty secure with the guys who aren't going to make it and the 12-14 that are, but it's the guys from spots 18-23 we're having difficulty with." Crosbie concurred that the off-season makeup of the team may be altered due to the strong showing of graduating midget and intermediate players looking to gain a spot with the Green Gaels. "They have shown far more maturity and knowledge of the game than I thought," he said of the young players. "Right now we're looking to see who has the smarts that you can't teach, who makes bad mistakes at the bad times. I think that will be the key. "They are all talented in their own way. But how they react to situations is going to make the difference." The Green Gaels will travel with 28 players to Kapuskasing this weekend for a pair of clinics and intra-squad games, helping to promote the game in the north. Upon Sunday's return, another round of cuts will be made to pare the roster down to 21, leaving a couple of spots open for late releases from the Whitby Warriors Jr. A team to filter down. The season opener is scheduled for Thursday, April 29 in Bowmanville against the Saints at 8 p.m. The Green Gaels will be looking to improve on an 11-8-1 regular season third place finish in the Mid East in 2003 that included a first round exit in four games to the Mimico Mountaineers. THE SCOOP - A change in venue from the Darlington Sports Centre to the Recreation Complex for Sunday's tournament was made midweek prior, but not relayed to the media...Eight of the 10 regular season home games will be played Thursday at 8 p.m., the only exceptions Sunday, May 30 against the Gloucester Griffins at 2 p.m. and Saturday, June 5 against the Nepean Knights at 8 p.m.

Dutchies Like Double Digits By Bill Walker: Sun Times Monday April 19, 2004 HANOVER -— Double-digit scores were a rarity for the Owen Sound Van Dolder’s Home Team Flying Dutchmen last season. Just once did the Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior B Series squad hit that mark with 10 in a playoff series game against Sarnia. And while it’s only the pre-season, the Dutchies have hit double digits in back-to-back games with 13 against Barrie last week and 12 in a 12-5 victory over the Halton Hills Bulldogs Saturday. “I think our defence is really helping our offence,” said coach Mark Kazarian. “They work hard on the back end and the goaltending has played well the last two games. The guys who are playing mostly offence don’t have to worry about pounding it on defence. They’re working hard offensively.” Shawn Kazarian and Matt Davenport each had hat tricks while Jamie Wolfe and Tyler Gibbons both netted a pair. Eric Hopkins and Nick Quaid both scored once. “Everyone’s chipping in this year and we’re doing a great job,” said Davenport, who had 11 goals in 19 games last season. “We’re moving the ball well and the stick skills have really improved. We need guys to score goals. We can’t have one person do it all. Other teams will key on him.” Success for the Dutchies this season hinges on a more diverse offence instead of mainly relying on leading-scorer Mike MacLeod to carry the load. “We want to win those 6-4 games this year instead of coming out on the wrong end of all of the close ones,” said coach Kazarian, who has stressed stick skills in the team’s training camp for the past month. “My drills are all catching and throwing. It’s like running clinics all of the time. I think the skill level of our young guys is a lot better than it used to be and our older guys have really come along from when they were young guys.” Mike Dube scored twice while Chad Arteim, Todd Holinshead and Adam Halton added singles for Halton Hills. Ryan Casemore went the distance in goal for the Dutchies while Kyle Kennery and Will McDermott both saw action in the Bulldogs net. The Dutchies open the regular season with a seven-game road trip starting Saturday in Elora. Owen Sound opens it’s home schedule May 20 when Elora visits. Game time at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre is 8 p.m. DUTCH TREATS: The Dutchies’ signed Wiarton native Todd McCauley Saturday . . . The Dutchies played before approximately 200 fans Saturday in Hanover as the squad was on the road for a home game to help promote lacrosse in the south Grey County town.

Kings Poised For A Successful Year By Toby Gorman: Packet & Times Monday April 19, 2004 MNJIKANING -— Saturday was the first formal practice of the year for the Rama Hammond Transportation Kings Junior A lacrosse team but one thing is already certain: It’s a much bigger, faster and stronger club than last year. And only six spots needed to be filled. “No question, with the core group of guys like (Mike) McLeod, (Chad) Thompson, (Craig) Thanasse, (Jackson) Gair and (Jason) Mainer coming back, along with our two very competent goalies (Kyle Carnduff and Jeff Hooper), we’re way ahead of last year,” said assistant coach Scott Balkwill. “I think we can look forward to a competitive year and our goal, of course, is to challenge for the Minto Cup.” Already built on a solid foundation of goal scorers, the Kings’ coaches can now focus their attention on a defence that was suspect during critical times last year. “We’ve got tonnes of offence and in this league, to be competitive, you’ve got to have good goaltending. “We’ve got that so defence right now is what we’re focusing on,” said defenceman Brock Boynton. More than 40 players spent the day doing conditioning, passing and checking exercises while being evaluated by the coaching staff. Balkwill said it is too early to tell who will fill the vacant spots, but a series of practices and exhibition games in the next two weeks will allow the cream rise to the surface. “We need guys who will fit the style we’re looking for, and who will step up and perform,” he said. The team’s No. 1 pick from the Ontario Lacrosse Association’s draft, goalie Derek Gordon, will battle veterans Hooper and Carnduff for the top spot between the pipes. “We’re going to hold that spot open for the guy who wants it the most,” added Balkwill. “It would be unfair to say right now so we’re going to let them compete for the position with their performances.” Other OLA draft choices from the midget ranks fighting for a spot on the team are Shawn Beer, Kris Locking, Jeremy Thompson and Jacob Stahls. The Kings have two more practices before taking on Whitby on April 25 at the MASK in an exhibition game. The team will begin the regular season at home on May 14 against Six Nations. Game time is 8:30 p.m.

Buzz Kick Off Season Next Weekend By Jon Kuiperij: Oakville Beaver Friday April 16, 2004 OAKVILLE -- Pretenders or contenders? Glen Little, taking over the reigns of the Oakville Buzz this season, still isn't certain. With the Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior B season set to begin next weekend, Oakville's roster is far from set as the Buzz look to build on last season's first-ever playoff appearance. Little is reserving judgement on several potential players until he sees what talent is available after the Burlington Chiefs, Oakville's junior A affiliate, finalize their lineup in the upcoming weeks. That makes the Buzz's preseason action, which began last night at Maplegrove Arena with a game against the Scarborough Saints, valuable for Little and his coaching staff. "It will be more for evaluation than systems," Little said of the exhibition schedule, which also includes a tourney in St. Catharines this weekend and a contest in Scarborough next Tuesday. "We're going to take a look at some kids on the bubble, but we're not sure what's going to end up (happening) because the Junior A's aren't done (selecting their players)." Oakville's first-year coach, who served behind the Milton Mavericks' bench the last two seasons, has been impressed during tryouts by several members of the Oakville Hawks 2002 bantam provincial championship squad. Sean Gillies, Garrett Ince and Justin Wilson-Kirby are all receiving long looks, as is Burlington Cougars hockey player Michael Bentivegna. Among the confirmed returnees from last year's Buzz club, which posted an 11-9 record, is netminder Jason Legree, who Little feels will be integral to any success Oakville enjoys this season. "It still comes down to goaltending, if we get quality goaltending game in and game out," Little said. "With Jay, I'm quite confident." Joel Leveille, Geoff Farrer, Andrew Kingston, Evan Bender, Craig Henderson and Chris Butt are also expected to be back, as are brothers Morgan and Brendan Thenhaus, acquired from Milton near the trading deadline last year. One notable addition to the Buzz lineup might be Oakville resident Eric Beatty, who played Junior A with Mississauga the past two seasons. Beatty scored 13 goals and added 14 assists in 20 games with the Tomahawks in 2003. "(Eric) just wants to play with his buddies. He will start the year with us and I guess it will depend on how we do," said Little. "We think he can lead us. If we get off to a quick start and he's happy, it'll be a big thing for us." The Buzz opens the regular season Saturday, April 24 in Huntsville and plays its home opener the following day, Sunday, April 25, hosting the Mavericks. Game time at Maplegrove is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Northmen Looking For Return Trip To Minto By MIKE RAWN: Orangeville Banner Friday April 16, 2004 ORANGEVILLE -- After reaching the Minto Cup final four in 2003, the Rayburn Construction Junior A Northmen believe they can make a repeat appearance this year. It won't be easy, with only one Ontario team heading to the Minto Cup in British Columbia in August. "We feel that any year we don't get to the Canadian final is a letdown for our club," says Northmen head coach and general manager Lindsay Sanderson. "That's the approach we take at the start of every season. I have so much respect and there's so much parity in this league, to finish constantly in the final four (in Ontario) is a major goal in itself. We've been fortunate enough to have the personnel to battle and compete every year. But every year we expect to win." The Northmen -- who lost a 7-6 semi-final heartbreaker in last year's Minto Cup semi-finals -- should benefit from last season's deep run into the playoffs. "That's a level that you can't coach and can't practice," says Sanderson. "They have to be playing in it. That will be great for us and great for the development of our boys." "It just shows how hard it is to win the Minto Cup," says Northmen assistant captain Kris Bryan. "How hard you've got to work, how hard you've got to want it. And having a sniff at it last year will make us hungrier for this year." With a 16-3-1 record in 2003, the Northmen finished second in the Ontario Lacrosse Association's regular season, behind the St. Catharines Athletics. They will have to adjust to the loss of key offensive players Chad Culp (66 points), Peter Veltman (38 points in 14 playoff games) and Steve Jennings (43 points), who played their final year of junior in 2003. "There is a lot of character there," says Sanderson. "But we lose those types of people every year. The year before that we lost Brodie Merrill, Kyle Miller, Mat Marchildon and a variety of others. So we lose that quality every year, but it feels great that we have the minor system and Junior B team in place that helps our players develop." Offensively, the Northmen will benefit from the return of last year's leading goal scorer, Jon Mason. The team will rely on the continued improvement of third year players Nate Sanderson and Jamie Kirk, and second year players Daryl Veltman and Brady Campbell. The defence will be anchored by new captain Brad MacDonald, along with assistants Bryan and Darren Halls. "These are players who have been in our system forever," says Sanderson of his new captains. "They're people we want to be associated with. They lead by example, and I know they want to win as much as I do." The goaltending duties will likely be shared once again by veterans Josh Agar and Scott Paterson. "I couldn't distinguish a number one guy last year. I have a lot of confidence in both of them," says Sanderson. "They would be my one-two right at the moment. You never know what tryouts will bring, and you always have to keep an open mind. You don't want to go into that situation thinking your team is already picked." COMPETITION Sanderson knows that as good as his team will be, there will be plenty of competition in the Junior A loop. "St. Catharines and Beaches did lose a lot of quality guys, but they're a lot like us. They don't go away and they'll always be in the hunt. I expect big things from Kitchener and Whitby, they're a year older and didn't lose a lot. Burlington's made a whole team change, coaching staff and management. Brampton has a new coaching staff. There is going to be a lot of new looks and new excitement coming into the league. I'm looking forward to getting it started." SEASON OPENER The Northmen open their season on May 21 at the Alder Street Arena against Toronto Beaches. The team plays their first exhibition game on Sunday, April 25 against Brampton. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Alder Street Arena. "I just hope that last year wasn't a fluky, good luck season," says Sanderson. "We've got a lot of quality here, and good character boys. Every season brings a fresh start, and I'm just hoping that we can start where we finished off last year."

Bulldogs Looking To Succeed With Homegrown Talent By Herb Garbutt: Independent & Free Press Friday April 16, 2004 GEORGETOWN -- When the Halton Hills Bulldogs arrived in town, it was essentially a team of imports with the odd local player in the mix. Ten years later, it is almost the opposite as the Ontario Lacrosse Association Jr. B team continues to reap the benefits of a strong minor program. Now the challenge is getting all of them into the lineup. The creation of a Halton Hills intermediate team has helped, allowing local players to get their feet wet in junior while still getting them quality playing time with the intermediates. The Bulldogs plan to continue using that to their advantage this year. Bulldogs GM Mike Hancock said with five years of junior eligibility after midget, there is no need to rush players into junior. "We'll keep a few extra payers and audition them through the first part of the season," said Hancock. "Last year we had such a large influx of five or six guys off the midget team. This year, guys like (Alex) Dube and (Tim) Walinga, we're really seeing the benefit of them playing a little extra with the intermediates. They probably don't think it's a positive when they're in that situation, but once they get into their second and third season, they start seeing it was a benefit." Already, a couple of players making the jump from midget have made an impression. Hancock said Tim Laidlaw has been showing a great deal of confidence and Mike Brown, who was taken in the Jr. A draft by the Brampton Excelsiors, are both making strong cases to stick around. The Bulldogs feel with the additions to supplement the local talent, they should have a deep offensive team this year. Ryan McMichael, who was drafted by Anaheim of the National Lacrosse League, should help counter the loss of 50-goal man Richard Haan. Todd Hollinshead and Joe O'Halloran both struggled after being picked up at the trade deadline last year but are showing signs of being back on track. Hollinshead had two goals and six points in Wednesday's 11-9 exhibition loss to Elora. "Those are the numbers we expected when we got him. They're both legitimate 70, 80-point guys," Hancock said. DOG BITES: Three Bulldogs-- Jordan Armstrong, Travis Bland and Matt Lyons-- are trying out for Team Ontario U-19 field lacrosse team that will play in the Brogden Cup in Baltimore.....The Bulldogs play Owen Sound (in Hanover) on Saturday and host Elora on Sunday at Memorial Arena. Game time is 6 p.m.