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SALES SERVICE LEASING. HWY. #25 878-4137 &401 MILTON Halton Hills This Week, RUST GH July 7, 1993 — Page 17” By Mike Zrostek Getting a shot at the big time in the National Hockey League would be a dream come true for any Canadian rmer DeSouza his next chance is just anotper notch in his hock- ey career resume. DeSouza the six-foot-four man who was born in Chinguasousy and moved to etown when he was 16, will be attending the expan- sion Florida Panthers training camp in Augt ust. He took a round-about id and should be playing hock- He suited up for some exhibi- randon University janitoba. “They signed me and gave By Alex Tough ‘When this column began several years ago, the focus was 90 per cent youth soccer. Then it was difficult to obtain space for any soccer news at all. We persevered until the column became a regular fea- ture, although often relegated to the weekend editions. However, very welcome indeed. It took a while and now we have reports from individuals giving us news of the youth in all age groups. DeSouza’s NHL dr me a scholarship. I never attended, because I wanted to play hockey professionally and everything started to unfold: I made-a name for myself and that’s what you ive a DeSouza admits it wasn’t easy getting back into the Gemini for three years before playing for the Pembroke Lumberkings in the Centennial Cup at the age of “J went there (to Pembroke) because I knew they had a great chance to win the Cup. We didn’t win, but the experi- ence I got from playing was good for me. After the Centennial Cup DeSouza quit hockey for a ey. yt was probably the best trip couple years “to try other DeSouza took, the trip that things”, attending school at started his professional career. umber College taking Humanities. In 1991 he decid- ed it was time to try hockey again and made the trek to a. At the conclusion of his brief stint with Brandon DeSouza ended up with the Dayton Bombers in the East Soccer column ha add, (if I do not, someone else will!). I am no longer on the boards of Peel/Halton and ‘Ontario Associations and miss those days also. News from poth bodies still is passed down and from those, and other sources, comes the col- umn. (Just in case you are rested). The names of Falcons, Meteors, Ajax and Eagles have been around these parts for many years - the Ancient Mariners are relatively new- comers by comparison, begin- ing around the 1976 season. Falcons have dropped in sta- tus from a well-respected and feared Toronto & District member to Peel/Halton to ment in the province. Camp participants will receive an official camp T- shirt and personal perfor- mance evaluations. The fee for the camp is $105. Each player is asked to bring with him/her soccer shoes, shin-guards, a warm- up suit and rain gear (when applicable). All participants [" For De! Coast League for two months. That same year, he played for Thunder Bay of the Colonial League. Things picked up in 1992 hen ided to bec 2 wi free agent and tried to make his own deal. He contacted Nashville of the East Coast League and was ited to play for Nashville and head Falcons’ first season in the league and they are not find- ing matters as easy as they thought. The standard of play and player is underestimated by many, that is, until they watch the league at play each Wednesday. Falcons are at home to Caledon this week at Alcott at 7 p.m. and will be looking for a return to form. Caledon’s high scoring machine was held by Ajax last week in what must be taken as a surprise result. The game ended in a 0-0 tie and Ajax take a bit of credit out of the meeting. Originators of Ajax are the Dutch members of the community and this was a strong team in the early days. This season’s team has a fair sprinkling of other “nationalities” and lack some firepower up front, although putting in a power of work. Ajax play United, the co-club team of Meteor, at Meadowglen, also at 7 p.m. Eagles, another Dutch com- munity team, today are still that, and a young team of strength, skill and good foot- ball which has improved each year since reforming. They are a force to be reckoned with as results testify. This week Milton visit Alcott at 8:45 p.m. to face this high scoring outfit. Meanwhile, the first divi- Souza, saw Centennial Cup Tier Two Junior ‘A’ team in 1988. s changed foc mer Georgetown Gemini Junior ‘B’ player Ray action with the Pembroke photo submitted coach Nick Fotiu the former New York Rangers tough guy. “I played 26 games for Nashville and thought it was great playing for Fotiu who demands a lot of respect. He told me so many great stories like how he carried a pipe with him on the subway on his way to Madison Square pop another when Mariners netted the equalizer. Neither team deserved to lose and so it turned out. Blazers goal hours later in league play. Merseyside have scored 30 goals in 7 games at this stage. First division match-ups are Mariner vs. Meadowvale at Cedarvale at 8:45. p.m.; Biazers at Merseyside and Meteor at Winchester. Canada face Australia in the next round of World Cup qualifying at the end of the month and again in early August in the usual home and away format. % Australia defeated New Zealand in a tie-breaker for the right to meet Canada, who placed second in their group to Mexico. Neither team will be a pushover for the other. Australia has a few players playing in top class leagues around the world; England, y and Italy. Canada’s players also are featured in Scotland, England, Holland and Germany as well as a non-league player in long- gh Panthe Garden. Just a great guy to play for.” Then DeSouza got the call most players hate to get, the one that says. you’ve been traded. In this case it was the best break DeSouza could have got. “Nick called me New When he arrived in the team in plus-minus. “Pm a stay at home defenseman and the plus- minus is something I’m very proud of,” said DeSouza who also isn’t afraid to mix it up either. “] remember playing for Georgetown and one brawl we had I just kept coming back on the ice and I ended up getting suspended for six months.” When asked what he thinks about fighting in the NHL DeSouza doesn’t hesi- tate with an ans’ wer. “Hockey is an emotional table positions. Next year the league intends to move toa two division format, hopefully not making the mistakes of former attempts by various named league operations. The cost of running a team at this level is considerable. Toronto Blizzards expect to Int Next Mariner vs. Me er County Soccer June 30 First Division Team Gp W T Winchester 4 Winchester Fixtures: Wednesday, July 7 Meadowvale 8:45 Cedarvale lerseyside vs. Blazer Winchester vs. Meteor Second Division Eagles 7 6 1 0 35 7 2. Caledon fs 4 2 1 31. 5 14 United 3 3 2 1 16 9 ‘alc 6 3 3 8 4.0°9 6 2 4 6 6 1 4 4 71 1 6 3 together the stick and a guy who doesn’t like fighting and you’ ve got trouble. DeSouza absolutely loves and would like to stay if the Florida try- ‘out doesn’t pan out. Considering DeSouza just got into playing again to get employment many other doors have opened including coaching in hockey schools and offers to play in Europe. “My agent ( Gary Theoret ) put me on the wire and before I knew it a first division team from England offered me a contract for between three and five years at $50,000 a year. ‘What makes that great is that they give you a place to live and a car so you pocket the salary. Realistically DeSouza admits he can probably play about three or four years and coaching is something he would like to get into when his playing career is over. So staying il Birmingham wouldn’t be a difficult deci- jon. you consider DeSouza got back into hock- ey for just for a job, his hock- ey resume is looking more impressive everyday and making the Panthers would be another notch in his career. us over the years lose around $400,000 this year and half of that next year. The World Cup spin-off in tators may continue to support the game in spite of the finances. GA 3 0 3 (K.O. Cup) evelopment st : A . - . or cunsoat the week The should bring their own sion also has been in business. serving Mike Sweeney, who camp will operate fon 9:30 packed lunch with plenty of Another fast improving only plays indoor these days. to3p. : refreshments. Players inter- team are Blazers. When they The American Professional i 40 coacl ested in attending, please realize their play is as good Soccer league is a newish or aes tes e anyone’s and have the confi- league with Canadian partici- contact Peter Sarantopoulos at the Ontario Soccer Association at (416) 495- 1250. nationally licensed instruc- tors along with professional players and coaches make this one of the top develop- pants in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. Vancouver is at the top of the standings with Toronto and Montreal in mid- Mariners 1-0 with 10 minutes left for play and threatened to ————————————— CC