regional news - Performance Printing

SPORTS432246_0606Connected to your communityBears add to stable with two protects, 10 picks at CCHL draftBy STAFFEMC Sports – Call it a retooling, maybeeven a reloading. Just don’t call the upcomingseason a rebuilding year for the Smiths FallsJr. A Bears.Despite graduating seven players to NCAADivision I schools, another to the USHL andtwo more to Canadian universities, the Bearshave a strong nucleus returning in the fall andwill expect to compete for the Central CanadaHockey League title in 2013-14.That was the message delivered by headcoach Mark Grady to 11 of the 12 youngmen selected or protected by the club at lastThursday’s CCHL entry draft in Ottawa. Heand the Bears staff welcomed the players andtheir parents at the club’s impressive trainingfacility at the Memorial Community CentreMonday afternoon.It was an opportunity to address everyonein one venue and answer any questions theymight have leading up to their first Jr. A trainingcamp in August. Everything was covered fromacademics to equipment, practice schedules tobilleting.In all the Bears protected two bantam-agedplayers – Sam Meisenheimer and MatthewDods – and made 10 picks in the 10-rounddraft, held at the Earl Armstrong Arena inGloucester.Bears general manager Hugh Craig saysthe club didn’t have a first round pick, havingtraded it away in an earlier transaction. But withthe top player on their list still available late inthe round, they made a trade with Gloucesterto move up.“We were very excited to get him,” Craigsaid of Jackson Goudie, a 15 year-old Stittsvilleresident who played this past season with themajor bantam Ottawa Valley Titans.For his part, the 5-9, 147-lb. forward sayshe is pleased to come to a quality organizationthat’s not too far from home.The left winger says he plays a tough brandof hockey. “I like to get people off their game,”he said.After a strong first half to his season,he admits the second half was not quite assuccessful, and he’s looking to build off theyear that saw him collect 13 goals, 25 assistsand 54 penalty minutes in just 25 regularseason games.Joining him on a future Bears’ roster willbe Titans teammate Sam Meisenheimer. Hisnumbers are no less impressive with 14 goalsand 15 assists last season. He then addedanother four goals and eights assists in 11playoff games.The young centreman sees himself as “atwo-way forward.” Also from Stittsville, hesays he’s also happy to be with the Bears andaims to improve as a player and student in thecoming year.Photo by RYLAND COYNENewest Bears enter DenThe newest members of the Smiths Falls Bears family were given a tour of the club’simpressive training facility at the Memorial Community Centre on Monday, June 3.Back row (left to right) are Alyn McLellan, Troy MacTavish, Tyler Wicks, Alex Kealey,Jack Rouleau and Jordan Renaud. In front (left to right) are Jake Cuffley, MatthewDods, Jackson Goudie, Sam Meisenheimer and Tyler Griffin. Missing from photo isJustin Langen.In addition to Goudie, other picks for theBears were:• 15-year-old Jacob Cuffley, a forward fromWest Carleton, 2 nd round, 21 st overall,• Tyler Griffin, a 6-foot-1 inch, 152-poundforward, also 15, 3 rd round, 30 th overall,• Alexander Kealey, forward, 15, OttawaSting, 6-6, 187 pounds;• Alyn MacLennan, 15, 5-11, 165-pounddefenceman from Gloucester,• Jack Rouleau, 15, 6-foot, 175-poundforward from OV Aces Minor AA,• Justin Langen, 17, LD, 5-8, 151 lbs.,Ontario Hockey Academy,• Troy MacTavish, 15, 6-1, 178 lb., forwardfrom Kanata;• Tyler Wicks, 6-3, 212 lb. defenceman fromJr. Grads Minor AA,• Jordan Renaud, 5-10, 185-lb forward fromthe Ottawa 67’s minor midget.Photo by JASON CODEAssistant coach Walt Dubas (right) lookson as bantam protect Matthew Dods slipson a Bears jersey at last week’s draft.Photo by JASON CODEWelcomeSmiths Falls Jr. A Bears assistant coach Walt Dubas(left) and the club’s head scout Dave Gaw (right) welcomebantam protect Sam Meisenheimer to the stageduring last Thursday’s Central Canada Hockey Leaguedraft, held at the Earl Armstrong Arena in Gloucester.2013 F150 Supercrew LariatFully loaded! Demo!SAVE! SAVE! SAVE!Call for details!www.abford.comHWY 15, SMITHS FALLS 613-283-8200GIANT TIGERSMITHS FALLSATHLETE OF THE WEEKBROOKE HENDERSONHonouring Brooke Henderson in thisspot never gets old. The 15 year-oldcontinues to astound. The SFDCI studentwon her way into this month’sU.S. Women’s Open by finishing in a tiefor first in the final sectional qualifier,held last Thursday in New Jersey. Shewas -8 over her two rounds that day.R0011948454_0307GIANT VALUE. GIANT SAVINGS:GIANT TIGERToday ‘til June 12thPROUDLY CANADIANR0012136943_060629 CHAMBERS ST,SMITHS FALLSMONDAY-FRIDAY 8AM-9PM;SATURDAY 8AM-6PM;SUNDAY 9AM- 6PMLimit of 4assorted500 ml#321740OVERHALF OFF!$1Reg. 2.47get it first at GT!THE EMC - SF20 - Thursday, June 6, 2013