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Ramblings Jack McLaren Two million dollars worth It's that time of year when our thoughts should be getting away from winter activities and moving on to summer sports. Before we leave the winter scene completely I would like to comment on a recent report issued by the Ontario Hockey Council. The council was attempting to deter- mine what ails the province's minor hockey system. In recent times this system has come under attack par- ticularly with our national teams doing so poorly in in- ternational competition. The council concluded that the attitudes of those involved in minor hockey must change or the sport could become extinct in Canadian society. In response to the report the Ontario government an- nounced that up to $2 million will be spent during the next three years to improve the system with particular emphasis on training programs for players, coaches, referees and even parents. A number of recommendations were put forth in the report but some of the more important are as follows with my comments: @ organized competition should not take place before . basic skills have been developed (good enough but sometimes competition will develop skills in some_ players). @every player should get his fair share of ice time of each period of every game (absolutely, a coach who doesn't subscribe to this policy should be stripped of his duties). @ at least two hours of practice for every game played (a good rule provided that practice sessions are well organized, challenging and basic skills are developed). @ learning hockey skills, accepting defeat and having fun are more important than winning (great philosophy but show me a kid who enjoys losing). @ there shouldn't be so much prestige attached to one town's team defeating another town's team (most towns take great pride in their teams achievements, let's leave it at that). @ local hockey executives should be made up in part by coaches, referees, players and parents (referees representation is an excellent move but I have certain reservations about coaches being on the executive). @each hockey association should publish a parents handbook outlining their philosophy and certain rules (excellent recommendation providing funds are available. I think it is most important that parents are aware of the local association's approach to the game. It can save a great deal of misunderstanding at some later date). @ only one hockey association in each community (this is a must). : @ coaches should attend seminars where they learn how to teach (agree, in some cases it is more important to learn how to teach than what to teach). @a coach should not be permitted to coach longer than two years with the same group of players (excellent, should reduce a lot of conflicts and expose players to different philosophies). Just how much impact the council's message will have on amateur hockey remains to be seen. It isn't the first study attempted and it won't be the last. But unlike others it was able to squeeze almost $2 million out of the Ontario government. RMHA best The Russell Minor Hockey Association held its Awards Night May 6 to honor some of Russell's finest hockey players. Here is a complete list of the winners: Best Defenceman: Atom A, Dean Dryniok; Atom B, Joel Bouchard; Peewee A, Barry McVey; Peewee B, Jeff Groot- Lipman; Bantam A, Brian Graham; Bantam B, Scott Young; Midget, Billy Bakker; Juvenile, Roy Black. Most Improved Player Novice, Martin Gregoire; Atom A, Paul Straby; Atom B, Marion Benoit; Peewee A, Wallace Wade; Peewee B, Thomas Gloor; Bantam A, Marc Baillon; Bantam B, Daniel Emard; Midget, Dave Latimer; Juvenile, Steven Bols. Sportsmanship Novice, Doug Davis; Atom A, Shannon Wade; Peewee A, Brian Carscadden; Peewee B, Steven Hendley; Bantam -A, Peter Latimer; Bantam B, Jean-Marc Brisson; Midget, Joey Fleming; Juvenile, Alex Hayward. Effort and Enthusiasm Novice, Stephen Robinson; Atom A, Alain Gregoire; Atom B, Richard Hamelin; Peewee A, Shawn O'Reilly; Peewee B, Jeff Groot-Lipman; Bantam A, Ken Carscadden; Bantam B, Charles Blanchard; Midget, Dave Flynn; Juvenile, Billy Flynn. Best Goaltender Junior, Wayne Paquette; Senior, Todd Taylor. Most Valuable Player Atom A, Peter Ladouceur; Atom B, Richard Ris; Peewee A, Ronnie Roy; Peewee B, Ron Geerts; Ban- tam A, Paul Cochrane; Bantam B, Richard Deschamps; Midget, Paul Labelle; Juvenile, Tom Har- rison. Russell A's defending champs The Russell A's fastball team is beginning its second year of operation with the distinction of being the defending South- Carleton League champs. With the return of most of last year's players the team should once again be the class of the league. Led by the pitching trio of Greg McLaren, Bryan Cochrane and Todd McLaren and veterans Ken- ny Sullivan, Doug Hay, Don McLaren, Kevin Cochrane, along with a couple of newcomers, op- position teams will be facing tough competition. League President Keith Russell reports that two new teams, Gloucester and Blossom Park, will join Embrun, Wade's Body Shop, Ferguson Electric, Carlsbad Jockstompers, and Kenmore Ross Real Estate in the eight team league. League play gets under way on May 14. Home games for the Russell A's are every Wednes- day night under the lights at the Lions Ball Park. RMHA AWARDS Among the trophies presented at the.Russell Minor Hockey Association awards night were the Bill Linegar Memorial Trophy for Most Valuable Player presented by Mrs. Barbara Linegar and the Jack Twiname Memorial Trophy for Efforts and Enthusiasm presented by Mrs. Leila Twiname. The winners and presenter in the first category are, above, back row from left, Richard Ris, Peter Ladouceur, Mrs. Barbara Linegar and Ron Geerts. Front row, Richard Deschamps, Tom Harrison, Paul Labelle and Paul Cochrane. Winners and presenter for effort and enthusiasm are, below, back row from left, Shawn O'Reilly, Richard Hamelin, Jeff Groot-Lipman, Mrs. Leila Twiname, Alain Gregoire and Stephen Robinson. Front row, Charles Blanchard, Dave Flynn, Bill Flynn and Ken Carscadden. (Michael Van Dusen Photos) Volleyball champs The Russell Public School Boy's volleyball team has become known as the comeback champs. After going winless in the six- team round-robin event, the boys won three consecutive series to - win the tournament for their sixth time in the ten-year history of the School's annual volleyball tourna- ment held May 6 at Russell. The team advanced to the final by ousting Pleasant Corners 12-10 and 11-5 and by defeating St. Leonard's 11-6 and 11-8. Coach Brian Gunnell thought his team ran out of miracles when 15-8 and 15-6. -- Meanwhile, the girl's team went through the round-robin tourna- ment undefeated. Russell beat Plantagenet 11-1 and 11-4 in the opener. St. Leonard's were the next victims as Russell bullied its way to easy 11-2 and 11-5 vic- tories. Pleasant Corners and St. Grégoire were also beaten quite handily as Russell prepared itself for the finals. Pleasant Corners advanced to the championship game by virtue of their 11-0 and 11-9 triumph over St. Leonard's. Russell won only its second it lost the first game of the best of three final to Metcalfe 15-11. However, they bounded back to win the second and third games championship in 10 years by defeating Pleasant Corners 15-3 and 15-12. ONTARIO -CANADA - KOA-2P0 (613) 821-3353 HELICOPTER PILOT TRAINING -- We have four full-time instructors -- Taught on most advanced equipment -- Free Accommodation -- Canada's newest school -- Private & Commercial Licenses -- We hire from our graduates For further information call: PAN-AIR HELICOPTERS LTD., Metcalfe, Ontario, (613) 821-3353 "y -"Wecarry thebest" For your cheese and cheese party needs and spices by the pound or ounce ALL AT PRICES YOU WILL APPRECIATE » rege Gk Gane Gee | ay Sly ae We also carry foods VISIT us at MEDOW DRIVE GREELY (ph821-1155) Guy Brasseur Ltd. 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