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McGrath eyeing full season with Wings By Adam Johnston SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER 17 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, August 6, 2009 Evan McGrath feels he's ready to take the next step. The Oakville native, a fourthround draft pick (128th overall) of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, recently signed a one-year contract extension with the Red Wings after his entry-level contract expired in July. He has had an up-and-down pro career thus far, playing for the Red Wings' American Hockey League affiliate in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He struggled his rookie year with the Griffins, collecting only 14 points in 59 games. However, he has shown steady improvement since that first season, earning 35 points in 78 games two years ago and 47 points in 68 games last season. McGrath has been cut several times from the Red Wings' training camp, but his dream is still like that of many young Canadian men -- to make it to the NHL. PHOTO BY MARK NEWMAN / GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS "It has been a bit of a travel to get READY TO JUMP?: Evan McGrath has been playing with the Detroit Red here," McGrath said between Wings' American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins for the past three innings of a charity softball game he seasons and feels he's ready to make the jump to the National Hockey League. was playing in last week at Trafalgar Park. "It is definitely exciting and it's your goal to get your first game and your first year under your belt, so that's my goal right now." However, that goal might not be so easily achieved. The Red Wings' organization is praised around the league for its excellent scouting department and plethora of young talented players in its minor league system, which might make it difficult for McGrath to get a long look. Playoff standouts such as Justin Abdelkader and Darren Helm will almost certainly receive consideration to stick with the Red Wings out $ of training camp, not to mention highly-touted Finnish prospect Ville Leino. McGrath hopes that, despite the logjam of talent in the Red Wings organization, he can impress the team's top brass and earn a role with the team out of training camp. "There are definitely a couple of decisions they have to make so hopefully I will get a good shot at sticking with the team," he said. "You never know what is going to happen, but everybody's goal is to make it to the NHL and I just want to hopefully play there all year." 39 o.a.c. as low as 95 9 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER $3300 Up to per month E THIS OFF Purchase a Hi Efficiency Furnace and Receive a urchase Financing Available * Call For Details * LY! Y N! URRR WIILL BE OVER SHORT H (Installation Extra) In Tax Credit & Instant Rebate SALE ST THE BIGGE EVER! OVER 60,000 SATISFIED CUSTOMERS *Free central air Plus: NO Payment NO Interest For 6 Months O.A.C. O FREE CENTRAL AIR EE E AR 905-849-4998 www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665 Reserve now and you will receive a central air absolutely free. This is a great opportunity to replace y y p your old inefficient furnace and air conditioner with hi efficiency and greatly reduce your utility bill. Call today to book an appointment with our Professional Home Comfort Advisors. LIMITED TIME OFFER. LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE. As of April 1st, 2009 Government Rebate has increased by 25%. Best opportunity to get your new furnace & A/C - the prices will never be better! 9 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER *See dealer for details A+ Rating GOLD IN SILVER: The Oakville 14-under Coyotes won the peewee Silver Division at the recent North American Rollerhockey Championships. 14-U Coyotes roll to NARCh Silver title After losing its opening game at the recent North American Rollerhockey Championship (NARCh) in Mississauga, the Oakville Coyotes 14-under team won its next seven contests to claim the peewee Silver Division title. The Coyotes locked up the 22team division with a 5-3 victory over the Northern Colorado Hot Shots in the championship game. Oakville's Mark Kraft was named division MVP. The Coyotes' other wins came over the Oregon Bullets (8-5), Edmonton Thunder Minor (3-2), New Jersey ISCA Grizzlies (6-3), Kitchener Waterloo Jr. Rage (7-4), New York tour Roadrunners 95 (5-0) and Pennsylvania Mission Rampage (5-2). Oakville's lone loss came to Pennsylvania Team Stealth by a 2-1 score. Members of the Coyotes are Spencer Bassett, Brian Champion, Jacob Prinsen, Sean Perichak, Cole Nagy, Spencer Martin, Zachary Porter, Jake Howe, Ryan Newnham, Eric Mulligan, Jessica Dort and Kraft. Mark Nagy coaches the team, assisted by Tom Champion, Mark Newnham and Joe Porter. Louise Bassett is the Coyotes' manager.