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Coach Mark Watson probably summed up the feelings of the entire Bowmanville Eagles organization when the question of forward Jason McQuat's future arose. "We wish him all the luck in Wichita, but..." he said, as his voice trailed off without completing the thought. He didn't have to. McQuat, who was a member of the Oshawa Generals for the past two seasons, is in limbo about his immediate plans for the upcoming hockey season. The Generals own his rights as an over-ager, and word is that they are actively trying to trade him to another another team. While they try to work out a deal, McQuat is looking ahead to a trip to Kansas City in a couple of weeks, where he will try to make the roster of the Wichita Thunder of the Central League. If neither of the above two scenarios scenarios works out for the Oshawa resident, resident, the Eagles have a player's card and pen waiting. They would dearly love to have him in their lineup. lineup. For now, McQuat is keeping his options open, looking to do what is best for him. "I just want to play where it's going to help and benefit me to move on," said McQuat. "I want to make it in Wichita. It's a step up from the OHL, and one step closer to the NHL." To help prepare for what lies ahead in Wichita, McQuat has been a regular at Bowmanville's training camp since it opened earlier this month. The 20-year-old brought along the same determination, work ethic, and physical presence that made him a popular member with the Generals. In Sunday night's pre-season encounter encounter with Napanee, he dominated in the physical department, picking up eight penalty minutes and dishing dishing out a number of stiff body checks. He also chipped in offensively, offensively, adding a third period goal in a 5-3 win. It was his first game action since the Generals were eliminated in the first round of last year's playoffs. Following Sunday's game, he admitted admitted to being a little surprised at the level of play, noting that it was much better than he originally thought. "It's a lot more fun," he said of the difference between playing Jr. C and in the OHL. "A lot of people think Jr. C is a lot of goons out there, but it's really good hockey." In two seasons with the Generals, Generals, he accumulated close to 40 points, while adding just under 300 minutes in penalties. Those point totals would certainly certainly increase dramatically if he were to play in Bowmanville this year. As for the penalty minutes, they would go in the opposite direction. The reputation he has built for himself in the OHL would follow him into the Jr. C ranks. There wouldn't be any need for him to feel obligated to go out and prove himself in the pugilistic department night after night With the respect for his toughness, toughness, comes a little more room on the ice in which to operate. And, for this reason, playing a year here in Bowmanville would help McQuat to develop and refine his playing skills, which will only benefit him in the future. At least that is the sales pitch the Eagles have presented him with. And, in looking over the proposal, it isn't really a pitch at all. The Eagles would benefit from having McQuat in their lineup as they look to improve on their semi-final finish finish in the Ontario playdowns. His experience experience and leadership are qualities that they would draw on. On the flipside, their motives are anything but selfish. selfish. They want what is best for McQuat, both now and in the longterm. longterm. And a year of being able to concentrate on playing hockey, and using the ice time to improve on the skills of the game, may be what is best. It's questionable whether any team in the OHL, or even the pro club in Wichita, would have McQuat's best interests in mind. As the Generals continue to seek out a trade, McQuat admitted that he has some reservations about what teams he would report to. "I don't want to go from the Oshawa Generals, which is a top organization, organization, and go somewhere else where I won't be treated as well," he said, being careful not to mention mention who those teams might be. In the short time he has been skating with Bowmanville, Bowmanville, he has already become popular with the players. And, if the buzz that went through the crowd every time he stepped on the ice Hockey by Brad Kelly * ( at Sunday's game against Napanee is any indication, he would be a favourite favourite with local fans as well. With this in mind, McQuat did leave the door open that if things don't work out elsewhere, he wouldn't hesitate in returning. "Who knows? I could end up here," he said. Needless to say, a jersey with whatever number he chooses will be waiting. The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville. Wednesday, September 21,1994 7 Bowmanville Museum Hosts Sports Memorabilia Display Featuring Photos from 1800's Rodeo Family Spans Three Generations by Brad Kelly Ralph Smith can draw on more than just his recollection of the good ol' days to prove that he was one of the first cowboys to become a member member of the Ontario Rodeo Association. Association. His membership card number is six. Little did he know at the time that he was about to start a tradition of family participation in rodeos that has spanned four decades. His sons followed in his footsteps, and now his grandsons are doing the same. And the family tree isn't quite done yet. A fourth generation of the family) two-year-old Brooke, is waiting in the chute. The rodeo has come a long way since the days back in the 1950's when Smith was a regular participant participant each weekend. As he sat in his most comfortable chair at his home in Blackstock, his memory of those early years was quite vivid. ; The Ontario Rodeo Association, as he recalls, was formed back in the mid-1950's at the Bar 11 Ranch in Dundas. The owner of the ranch also owned a television station, and Baker Soccer Team Advances to Finals It has been a busy and exciting few weeks for the Darlington CSL under-10 team, sponsored by Baker Construction. In the Whitby tournament over the last weekend in August, they defeated defeated teams from Brampton 2-1, Ottawa 6-1, and Whitby 1-0 to win their group and advance to the finals where they met Brampton again. Despite their excellent play, Darlington Darlington lost by a score of 3-1. In Cup play, Darlington defeated North York 6-1 on Sunday, September September 10.-Darlington was ahead 1-0 at the half. Then, due to some great teamwork, the team exploded in the second half with five more goals. During the playoff round, Darlington Darlington met a strong North Scarbo rough team who frustrated the forwards forwards by using an offside trap very well. By the second half, Darlington had adapted to the tactic and scored a pair of goals to secure a 3-1 win. In the next round, on September 15, Darlington played a very determined determined and defensively-minded Whitby team. At the end of regulation regulation time, the score was 0-0 and the game went to a shoot-out. It went right down to the last shooters, with Darlington coming out ahead. The boys will come up against Whitby again at both the Cup finals at Esther Shiner Stadium on September September 24 at 9:30 a.m., and playoff finals the next day at 9:00 a.m. Both promise to be exciting games. used his property to sponsor rodeos. Smith, who became interested in rodeos after watching Wild West Shows in the late 1940's, was riding in American-sponsored rodeos when "I would jump on a steer just to see how far I could ride it without using a rope." --Ralph Smith a friend told him about the circuit that was beginning in Ontario. A motorcycle racer in his early days, he switched to the rodeo because because there was more prize money available. "I always loved stock horses," he said of his early involvement. ' T would jump on a steer just to see how far I could ride it without using a rope." His first passion was bull riding. But in a relatively short period of time, he began to become a master of five of the events. He added bareback bronc riding, then followed with saddlebronc riding, riding, bull doggin', and calf roping, making him a respected all-around cowboy. His 20 years of participating in rodeos came to an end in 1970 when he injured his hip after getting pK(i1 • k Jl : Blackstock Cowboy Ralph Smith by Ted Denny Cowan Pontiac-Buick THE COMPUTER IS MAKING NEW CAR ORDERING QUICK AND EASY Remember the days of utter confusion and frustration when ordering a new car? The salesman would take out a very large binder called a "Vehicle "Vehicle Ordering Guide" and would proceed to decipher the information information for you. This could be a real challenge. For instance, in some cases, if you requested a certain option and didn't read all the information associated with that, feature, you could easily miss the fact that in order to get that option it was necessary to order certain other items ie: A V6 Engine might also require you to order an automatic transmission and specific specific wheels on some models. The other challenge was to have easy to understand access to all the options and features that a particular model had to offer without a lot of research. Now, some of the more progressive progressive dealerships have given their sales staff computers with complete vehicle ordering guides loaded on the hard disc. With this new computer system, system, any new model the dealership dealership sells can be called up on the screen fully displaying all the features and available options. If an option is selected, any options that must accompany it arc automatically highlighted and added on, I've had the opportunity to use one of these computers, and find them quick and efficient. Both the Sales Rep. and the Customer can view the display on the screen and pick out the desired options, then print it out. The system has proven proven to be particularly effective when ordering trucks. Customer acceptance of this system has been tremendous, particularly for G.M, employees. For more information 1 can be reached at Cowan Pontiac-Buick 905-623-3396. © Wildlife Centre Asks Public for Assistance to Relocate Animals The Toronto Wildlife Centre is a non-profit, charitable organization, staffed by volunteers, which depends largely on the donations of the public, public, to care for and feed the animals. Since May of this year, the centre has seen over 1500 animals. As this is the only centre of its kind in the Metro Toronto area, it receives animals from most of southern Ontario. The animals admitted to the centre are sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife. wildlife. Each animal or bird is given specified care and immunized if necessary, necessary, with the goal of rc-rclcase into their natural habitat. Fall is the time of year when many of the animals arc ready for re- release. A release site must have a caring person willing to assist in the final phase of rehabilitation, primarily primarily of immunized raccoons, squirrels, opossums and birds. The release cages are equipped with nest boxes, branches, and logs to simulate the environment the animals animals will be released into, The young animals spend their time exercising, listening to the noises of their surroundings surroundings and getting used to the scents and climate. Once the animals are ready for release, the cage door is opened and they leave on their own. Food and water are supplied for two weeks after the cage door is opened, to help ease the transition back into the wild, "fhe properly owners who assist in the release program are responsible for feeding the animals and keeping the cages clean. .Suitable properties should itave a setting where a release cage could he placed, The area should be In a quiet, secluded, spot well away from domestic pels and children, and preferably backing onto a ravine or wooded area. If people think they may have an appropriate release property, they • should call the Toronto Wildlife Centre Centre at (416) 214-1624. A display tracing the history of sports in the area is featured at the Bowmanville Museum throughout the month of September. The display focuses on sports memorabilia and historical photos of hockey, baseball and football teams from the 1890's up to the 1950's. Also included is an attractive showcase containing crests, posters, and a Brookdale Roses baseball jacket that has been preserved by local local resident Bill Bagnell. His interest in sports began at a 1925 track and field competition sponsored by the Trinity United Church. Following World War II, he became the athletic director at the Bowmanville Training School. A miniature baseball uniform on loan from Irwin Colwell is worth a look. The replica was made for him when he was two years old, and is a copy of the old Bowmanville Royals team uniforms. Irwin's father, Bert, played for the Royals at the time. Old high school photos from a number of varsity teams represent ing Bowmanville High School adorn the walls of the Museum. The high school football team of 1931, as well as the rugby, and tumble tumble squads from 1934-35 have been added to the collection. There are also photos dating back to the late-1800's of the Bowmanville Bowmanville Victorians hockey team, and the Eastern Ontario Champion baseball baseball team. For fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team poster from 1931-32 depicts all of the players and coach-, ing staff from that season. Such notables notables as King Clancy, Joe Primeau, Ace Bailey, and Harvey "Bushcr" Jackson were among the team members members who led the Leafs to the Stan- • ley Cup that season. Dick Irvin was . the coach and Conn S mythe the . manager of the club that swept the New York Rangers in three straight games in the finals. The Bowmanville Museum is located located at 37 Silver Street, and is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30- 4:30, and 1:30-4:30 on Sunday. bucked off during a saddlebronc ride. The injury resulted in the installation installation of a plastic hip. Strangely enough, the injury came as the result of Smith forgetting forgetting to remove his wallet out of his back pocket When he landed on it, permanent damage was done. Smith and his entire family will be just a few of the many visitors expected at the Ontario Rodeo Association Association Finals that will be at the Oro- no Fairgrounds this weekend. Two shows at 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. will highlight Saturday's activities, while Sunday's finals will begin at. 2:00 p.m. B.R.H.L. Interested in Refereeing? Clinics being held Saturday, October 1, 1994 and Sunday, October 2, 1994 Darlington Sports Complex 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendance at both above dates is mandatory and candidates must successfully pass a written test. Cost is $5.00 For further information contact Bob Drummond (Referee in Chief, B.R.H.L.) 623-6402 f & 3? The 5th Annual .^eXton Mejjj Saturday, September 24,1994 Newcastle Golf Course Tee off times available between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Dance to be held at Baseline Community Centre, Bowmanville 8:00 p.m. For Golf or Dance tickets, please call: Brad Ilockin Terri Mann Joel Reynolds 905-623-0398 905-623-4275 705-277-3556 ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY: The Lone Stars Proceeds to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Golf and Dance Tickets Dance Only Tickets S 10.00 Per Person $10.00 Per Person ■ (also available at the door) \ PRIVATE CURLING CLUB IN THE HEART OF OSHAWA 1994-95 CURLING MEMBERSHIPS... THE REGION S BEST VALUE PRIVATE, FIRST-CLASS CURLING CLUB • Beautiful Club facilities. Fine dining, spacious locker rooms, curling lounge. • 6 sheets ol great ice • Balanced smooth curling rocks • Well equipped affordable pro shop • Featuring a mirrored "Play off" sheet COMPETITIVE RATES - NO INITIATION FEE • Initiation lee to Oshawa Golf Club waived lor curling members • Very competitive seasonal membership rales FULL CURLING PROGRAM FOR MEN AND WOMEN • Mon's club and competitive curling • Women's club and compotlllve curling • Business women's league • Intermediate male and female program • Junior and senior program • Professional curling Instruction Including now "Loam to Curl" clinic Inquiries may be made by calling our office at (905) 723-4681 or visit us at 160 Alexandra St., Oshawa CURL-O-RAMA OPEN BOUSE OCTOBER 14th •Time 7 p.m. • Vlslt/Tour tho club, moot our mombors and got lull details ol 94-95 curling foes and available programs • Curling suppliers will bo there with the latest In curling gear at spoclnl Intro, prices s)