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8- The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday August 19, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Kraft Hockeyville winner practices with his idol By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER As it turns out, Brandon Clark and Toronto Maple Leafs player Darcy Tucker have a lot in common. Both wear the number 16, play left wing and have shrines to the NHL in their boyhood bedrooms. The pair met Wednesday night at River Oaks Recreation Centre for a one-hour practice with 20 of Brandon's friends. The 10-year-old won the opportunity to play hockey with the NHLer after submitting a heartfelt essay in the Kraft Post Cereal Hockeyville contest. "I continuously watch the NHL games to study their moves and plays," wrote Brandon in his winning story. He credits his ardent observation of his idols Tucker, Bryan McCabe, Mats Sundin, Tie Domi and Tomas Kaberle for making it on to the triple A Oakville Rangers team. He was totally surprised to see Tucker on home ice. Right up until his blades hit the pad, Brandon was unaware which of his favourite players would be joining the practice. When Tucker appeared cheers and smiles abounded on Brandon's face and his teammates. Brandon is one of five young hockey players across the country whose NHL dream came true. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity prompted thousands of entries nationwide. As for the tips Tucker gave to the boys on the ice, well that's top secret material. "What's said on the ice stays on the ice," joked Tucker, who, like his young fans, had an ear-to-ear grin on his face during the whole practice. While Tucker has his own fan base, Brandon does too, in his mom Krista. In the four years Brandon has been playing hockey, the single mom has transported him to every single practice and game. In the triple-A ranks that translates into five or six times a week. However, she was forced to hand off the task to her brotherin-law for one month recently due to hip replacement surgery. RON KUZYK / OAKVILLE BEAVER COMPARING NOTES: Ten-year-old Brandon Clark won a chance to compare slapshots with Toronto Maple Leaf Darcy Tucker thanks to his winning essay in the Kraft Post Cereal Hockeyville contest. "He plays with passion," said Krista in describing her sons play. The Grade 6 student at Post's Corners Public School is a natural athlete who gives it his all on the ice, she added. All the young players received NHL Players' Association hats, signed by Tucker and bright, yellow hockey jerseys courtesy of Kraft, which were also autographed by the Leaf. And at the end of the ice time, Tucker took off his Leafs shirt, wrote `To Brandon, your friend, Tucker' on it and handed it to Brandon. His mom plans on framing it and adding it to her son's bedroom shrine of NHL paraphernalia. "When I'm ready to leave the NHL, you'll come in and take my spot, Brandon. Okay?" said Tucker. Brandon plans on it. He's already introduced himself to Don Edwards, coach of the oakville Blades Jr. A team. And his plan is to work hard toward his ultimate goal of playing for the NHL and on Team Canada. RON KUZYK / OAKVILLE BEAVER ONE FOR THE TEAM: Toronto Maple Leafs player Darcy Tucker poses for a team picture with Brandon Clark and his 20 friends, who joined them for a practice at River Oaks Recreation Centre Wednesday night. Making Your Cooking Fun & Easy ing Fu · Knives and Garnishing tools · Spiceracks · Small Appliances · Cookware and Tableware · Linens, Aprons and Mitts · Bakeware · Barware · Espresso makers and accessories Summer Hours: Monday-Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday CLOSED River Glen Mews Plaza 2530 6th Line, Oakville (905) 257-3500