Two Spirits Combine for Common Cause
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Officially, it was the second annual tourney of BodySmith International, a Richmond Hill gym known for its work with young, high-end hockey players from Stouffville, including Bobby Hughes and Michael Del Zotto, and the rest of York Region.
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Local Player Carving Out A Spot In U.S. College Ranks
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In just his second year as a member of the Lake Superior State University Lakers hockey team now, Simon Gysbers says he is getting on top of an entirely new style of hockey. In comparing his performance this season to his freshman term a year ago at the Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan-based campus, the Richmond Hill native described it as night and day. |
No Off Season For Hockey In Gormley
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Randy Smith decided it was time for a change. In the case of the long-time Stouffville Spirit junior A hockey club's strength and conditioning coach, it was a matter of relocating. Not with a rival team though.
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Spirit Making Move To Sunday Matinees
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Ask and ye shall receive. In the case of the Stouffville Spirit, they had been seeking a change in their home game dates to play more Sunday matinees at the Stouffville Arena.
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Stouffville Jr. A Players Arrive In Shape
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One day does not constitute an entire season. But what second-year Stouffville Spirit head coach Craig Donovan observed of his players when they reported for the first official day of training camp Sunday, he was thoroughly impressed with. |
Spirit Knocks Off Nation's No. 1 Team
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Long days in the gym last summer paid off on the ice during the long weekend this month for the Stouffville Spirit. The Spirt won two of three Ontario Junior Hockey League games, all played in less than 72 hours.
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Teams Cautious Of Head Hits
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After Dennis Firth struck his head on the ice falling backwards during a pickup hockey game, he sported bruises to his body. But just a few days later, the Markham resident experienced one big headache.
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Spirit Grads, Coach Hook Up At New Camp
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There are plenty of hockey camps for youngsters to attend during the summer months. But Randy Smith will be unveiling one at the Stouffville Clippers Sports Complex next month geared for the serious player.
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Porter Plans To Keep Defying Hockey Odds
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If you think it's impossible for a minor hockey player who competes at the midget A level to make the jump to the Ontario Junior Hockey League, don't tell Chris Porter. The 20-year-old Stouffville resident who is in his third season with the Stouffville Spirit is proof that making such a huge competitive leap can be accomplished.
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Porter Nets Spirit's 5th NCAA Scholarship
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From A-level Stouffville minor hockey and high school ranks to Jr. A to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division One circuit. That's not the typical journey a player makes in attaining a coveted collegiate scholarship south of the border.
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Golf Course Job On Hold During Cup Run
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In the movie Happy Gilmore, Adam Sandler's character fails miserably at hockey before making it on the pro golf tour. Will Acton's far from Happy. The Stouffville kid, the son of ex-NHLer Keith Acton, would normally be working in the golf business at this time of year, alright. |
Youngsters Get Taste Of Pros
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Justin Bennett, Jackson Savery and Michael Palladino got a taste of what a big-time hockey scouting combine was all about recently. At the same time, it was one the three Stouffville youngsters hope will assist them down the road in their on-ice careers.
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Michael Del Zotto - Second Overall Pick In The 2006 OHL Priority Selection
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The Oshawa Generals have selected defenceman Michael Del Zotto from the Markham Waxers AAA Midget team with the second overall pick in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection. Del Zotto is a 6'0" 190lb defenceman who scored 30 goals and added 90 assists for 120 points in 73 games last season.
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2008 Prospects - Steven Stamkos
The song's the same, but the stage is a little bigger. Sarnia Sting center Steven Stamkos is used to having all eyes on him, which will come in handy as the native of Unionville, ON, is the early money when betting on whose name will be called first at the NHL Entry Draft.
Looking Down The Road At Two Potential Stars - Steven Stamkos And John Tavares
While the main purpose of this blog is to highlight both drafted prospects and those who will be drafted in the near term, it is intriguing to look down the road for players who may be the cream of their respective age group.
ISS Draft Rankings (OHL)
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1. Steven Stamkos, C
2. Michael DelZotto, D 3. Phil McRae, C 4. Cody Hodgson, C 5. Mitch Gaulton, D |
6. Alex Pietrangelo, D
7. Jared Staal, RW 8. Greg Nemisz, C 9. Robert Czarnik, RW 10. Michael D'Orazio, D |
Unionville's Stamkos Tops Entry Draft Roster
Steven Stamkos is being called a potential franchise player in the NHL. The Unionville resident, who plays for the Sarnia Sting, is the top-ranked skater in the Ontario Hockey League for the 2008 NHL draft, in rankings released by the league this week.
