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And it struck me that letâ€" ting a little fresh air into our national game might help shake it out of the doldrums that were so well documented last year in the handâ€"wringing that went on with the Open Ice It seemed that Canadian hockey had lost its way with poor results internationally, and stalled player developâ€" ment hurting us all across the country. The Open Ice Summit, although not revolutionary, did have some ideas that could shake some life into our dispirited game. It focused on the notâ€"soâ€" novel concept of skills develâ€" opment as a panacea to cure what ails us. And while it probably isn‘t a cureâ€"all, it‘s as good a place to start as any to put Canada The lethargy that high humidity brings is indescribâ€" able, where even sitting down can make you break a sweat. in the end, it‘s surprising to me to see how a little fresh air can get things moving again. A Wthe region, theres a hint that there‘s fresher air on the way. And it couldn‘t come at a better time for those of us who have been stuck without air conditioning over the last few Letting some fresh air in * Some conditons apply O A C Availaple with a 36 month lerm . New actiwations anty . "‘$25 instore credd excludes Pay & Tak ED 8O 7 ow that the humidity has finally broke over 366 Hespeler Rd. 620â€"0220 While most minds aren‘t in tune with our local igloos until September, the incoming presidents of our two local minor _ hockey /s associations are . |f 1 already thinking HOj about the ALUC upcoming â€" ice Hennig is the new kid on the block, and heads the new Waterloo _ Girls Minor â€" Hockey Association. Hennig feels that since his organization is in its infancy, they can open up a process and let ever kid have an equal back on top of the hockey That‘s why it‘s been so refreshing for me lately to be talking about minor hockey during the summer months. It will be the B first time local girls â€" have â€" a VRB league of their own to play in, and they‘re starting in an association that‘s showing a lot of promise with their kidsâ€"comeâ€"first mantra. And it‘s encouraging to hear that player development at all levels will be encouraged, with house league players getâ€" ting the same attention as their sisters playing rep hockâ€" BOB VRBANAC T E LU S mot But. all isn‘t lost in the Waterloo _ Minor Hockey Association, which also has a mmommmeme new sheriff in J And it‘s NAC l refreshing to hear that he means skills development for every level of hockey player, not just local rep players. Theses are the players that return to the system, like Hennig a local minor hockey grad did, as volunteers, orgaâ€" nizers or even future presiâ€" dents. chance of being the best playâ€" er that they can. It will be a system based on ability, and not who you know, which has been a common complaint in other sports House league â€" players should have the chance to improve â€" themselves â€" and maintain a love of the game unfettered by dreams of NHL glory. great believer in the findings of last year‘s sumâ€" mit, was elected president in May and also wants to put the focus back on‘ skills development during his upcoming twoâ€" year term. "Things haven‘t eroded as much as we haven‘t moved ahead on some of the initiaâ€" tives that have come along, and the Open Ice Summit has highlighted some of what‘s going wrong." While Smith said he doesn‘t want to get into a model that streamlines kids at a young age to play a certain sport, like in Sweden and the Czech Republic, the local minor hockey organization also The longer they stay in the game the longer the love affair with hockey remains. After all, in the end isn‘t it about the love of the game? "One of the great successes of Waterioo Minor Hockey is that we still have Juvenile hockey," said Smith. "That‘s something most centres don‘t have â€" a strong base of midget player that stays in the They‘ll carry the game for the next 100 years to ensure that it‘s still in touch with its native roots. The game has to continue to evolve to maintain its place as the national game. "We pretty much sat on our laurels over the years," admitâ€" ted Smith. "We felt it was the national sport and everybody wanted to play, and we didn‘t have to do much. term. *UMITED TME LEASE OFFER on the 2001 QXA through infinits Financsal Services only. Payments are $499/mth tor 36 months. O AC Down payment or hade in o $9,937 required plus first monthly payment. Security deposit waived. Total lease obligation is $27,901 which includes destination and detivery charges. 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