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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 29, 2006 - 3 Coach said player showed no warning signs `He was coherent. He wasn't breathing heavily.' nament and to have fun," said Criscuolo. "He had no prior medical problems. I "Our thoughts and prayers of the whole don't know what led to what happened. It's team all go towards the Corrance family." Corrance's father, who loves hockey and just shocking." Corrance's father, Alan, manages the has spent endless hours managing local team and was on the bench Tuesday. He teams, later told team officials his son was one of the first to race out to the ice to "went down doing something he absolutely loved doing." help, not realizing the "You know, it's not every "He loved the game. fallen player was his son day you find someone that He was always positive, ­ his only child. always had a smile on The Grade 12 student you can't say anything his face ­ an absolute negative about. In this case and Minor Oaks Hockey pleasure to coach," Association product, a 6- here, just an absolute great added Criscuolo. "Kids foot-2, 190-lb. defence- kid." looked up to him for man for the Rebels, had that reason, he was Victor Criscuolo, just come out from always in good spirits, behind the net, his short- coach of the Mississauga never had anything neghanded team killing a Rebels Midget AAA ative to say. penalty. "You know, it's not every day you find Corrance skated to the top of the faceoff circle and as the Ice Dogs scored a tying someone that you can't say anything negagoal, he suddenly buckled and dropped to tive about. In this case here, just an absolute great kid." the ice. Criscuolo met the Corrance family "There was no contact,... no one through the Minor Oaks Hockey touched him, nothing," said Criscuolo. A referee skated past Corrance and Association three years ago. He coached a midget AAA team and then cut back around, asking if he was all called the bantam-aged Corrance up for a right. Two trainers raced onto the ice and few games when he was short a player. After spending the summer trying to tried to save his life, using a defibrillator. An RCMP officer and some off-duty fire- prepare for the jump to tier two Junior A fighters and nurses also joined them. hockey, Corrance was a late cut and called Somebody called 911. But there was no Criscuolo to see if he could be added to the Rebels' roster. pulse. Criscuolo said Corrance, who was leadFirefighters and ambulance personnel ing the team's defencemen in points, was arrived and took over, beginning CPR and rushing him to Markham Stouffville one of his strongest players. "He was a great skater, tremendous Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. "You wake up in the morning, the day shot, big kid at six-feet two-inches, 190 after Christmas expecting to play in a tour- lbs., just a physical presence on the ice. counseling through the Greater Toronto Hockey League or the Ontario Hockey Federation. "Right now, they're numb, shocked, devastated," he said. "For them as a group, this is the first time they've experienced something like this. "It's going to be tough to move on because Alex was such a well-respected and well-liked person." Added Rebels' team general manager Bart Marcolini: "Victor said he would love to have 15 of him on the team. He said he was just full of life, always wanted to play, would give you 100 per cent. "I still can't get over it. It's not supposed to happen, that's really what it's all about. This is what life's all about I guess, Alex Corrance I don't know." Despite the tragedy, the Scarborough You noticed him. You knew when he was out there. He just loved playing the game." midget tournament did continue ­ withCorrance, who wore No. 5, had aspira- out the Rebels ­ and wrapped up yesterday. The Ice Dogs decided to forego playing tions to play at a higher level. "He had a dream, and, given his attitude their other game Tuesday as some of their players knew Corrance and were also in towards the game, either shock over his death, playing tier two hockey "Victor said he would love said the Rebels' coach. and maybe getting an to have 15 of him on the GTHL officials were NCAA scholarship, these team. He said he was just stunned by the tragic are all things that were full of life, always wanted turn of events. President within his grasp," said to play, would give you John Gardner said he Criscuolo. 100 per cent." couldn't think of another And as much as he instance of something was an asset on the ice, Bart Marcolini, like this happening on Corrance was more valu- general manager of the the ice during the three able off the ice, the coach Mississauga Rebels Midget AAA decades he's been with added. the league. "He was just a great, "What a tremendous shock it must be great kid. He was someone the other kids would look up to. Outgoing, a leader. for everyone and during Christmas," he Everybody was his friend. He was always said. "There were no signs of any problem horsing around, but he understood the ... nothing." Funeral services for Alex Corrance are game and he was focused." The Rebels pulled out of the tourna- being held today at 11 a.m. at Glen Oaks ment following Tuesday's tragedy, and the Memorial Gardens, 3164 Ninth Line. -- With files from Torstar newswire. coach is ensuring players receive grief Continued from page 1 GLENLEVEN CHRYSLER C H RYS L E R · J E E P · D O D G E Chrysler Aspen THE ALL NEW 2007 LINE UP IS HERE! Chrysler Sebring Jeep Compass Jeep Wrangler Serving the community for 45 years! BRAND NEW Dodge Nitro 2007 DODGE CARAVAN · 3.3L V6 · 4 Speed Automatic Transmission · Air Conditioning · AM/FM/CD Sound System · 7 Passenger Seating ONLY L $ Plus $1,300 Freight 0 17,995 7 YOU CAN'T BEAT THE VALUE OF * THIS VAN! Wise customers read the fine print: Sale price is plus freight $1,300, A/C tax, Protector Plus, P.S.T., G.S.T., and your cost of licensing. Free oil changes are part of the Glenleven Gold Membership ­ See dealer for details. Vehicle may not be exactly as shown, but the employees are. 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