The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 19, 2008 - 41 Song hopes to play on Chinese national team Continued from page 40 MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER OLYMPIC DREAMS: Misha Song of the Oakville minor peewee AAA Rangers delivers a pass as he comes around the net in a recent game against Burlington. Song and his family moved to Oakville last season so that he could improve his skills, in hopes of one day playing for the Chinese national team and helping it qualify for Olympics.When he started playing hockey in China, there were not even enough kids to play a game. "Everybody said, `You are crazy.'" Lina said. "They don't think you can be so strong. No one believed we could stay for more than three months." "It was pretty exciting but sometimes I still miss my friends (in China)," Misha admits. Last September, Lina, Misha, his brother Aliesha -- who plays on the Rangers' atom AAA team -- and sister Liliya, moved to Oakville. Lina and Yu's parents have each lived with the family for extended periods to provide support for the family. It wasn't easy at first. It can be difficult for a 10-year-old to move away from his friends, never mind moving 10,000 kilometres to a foreign country with a new language and different culture. Harvey said Misha had a good command of English -- he had studied it in China -- but still had trouble understanding English slang as well as some hockey terms. There was an adjustment period on the ice as well. In a more competitive atmosphere, the game didn't come as easy to Misha as it had before. "After five or six games, he came home and he cried," Lina said. "It was too fast and (there was) body contact. He wasn't get- ting goals and assists like he was in China." The goals and assists eventually came. Misha scored four times in five games at the Ontario Hockey Federation championships in April, where the Rangers were eliminated in double overtime in the semifinals. Hockey also helped the family adjust away from the rink and, Lina says, made Misha more outgoing. "Everything is new but because of hockey I feel the country is not that new. Hockey is a bridge. We made friends. Everybody, hockey parents are so kind," Lina says. "(Misha) was so shy before. He learned to make friends, to communicate with people." · · · His Ranger teammates may dream of one day playing in the NHL, but Misha has a different goal. "I want to play for the Chinese team at the Olympics," he says. It was about the time he started playing that Misha first saw hockey on TV. He remembers watching Russia play against the United States at the Salt Lake Olympics. China has never qualified a hockey team for the Olympics. It has regularly participated in the world championships since 1972 but has never finished higher than 15th. It finished 32nd last year and hasn't cracked the top 25 since 1995. "Right now it sucks," Misha says of the national team, proving he's mastering slang as well as hockey. "(China) needs more people playing and more hockey games on TV so people know what kind of game it is." The game has been getting more popular but it's a relative term. Lina says there are now 10 arenas in Beijing, a city of more than 17 million people. Even if Misha can't help China reach the Olympics as a player, he will still have the opportunity to promote the sport and influence the next generation of players. Asked if he's ever thought about coaching, Misha shakes his head. "No, I don't think so." It might be hard for an 11-yearold who is enjoying playing the game so much to even fathom stepping behind the bench, but Harvey has no doubt Misha will one day. "He's very proud to be Chinese. I can see him sharing what he's learned, having a hockey school or coaching and taking all the knowledge and what he's learned to help others." See page 42 for more on the Richard Bell Tournament Lang to help Toys for Tots program An Oakville Olympian has joined Halton Police, Canadian Tire and the Salvation Army in helping to bring toys to the needy children of the Halton Region. Canadian soccer player Kara Lang is helping the ninth annual Toys for Tots program by appearing at the Canadian Tire store, located at 2510 Hyde Park Gate, on Sunday. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. families who donate toys will have an opportunity to meet Lang and enter their names into a draw to win a signed Olympic jersey. Donated toys must be new and unwrapped. Members of the Halton Regional Police Service will also be on hand to present money collected at the service's annual Christmas party. Those unable to attend the Hyde Park location are encouraged to give by visiting any Canadian Tire store in Halton Region between now and the end of the campaign. Sunday, Dec. 21, is the final days donations will be accepted. On all purchases between Nov. 25th & Dec. 24th, 2008. JUST 6" OF SNOWFALL ON JAN. 15th, 2009 AND YOUR PURCHASE IS FREE. what's the point? SMOKING MINOR OAKS HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Minor Oaks Hockey Association Oakville Rangers Town Rep is accepting coaching applications for the 2009/2010 hockey season. AAA/AA/A/AE Please go to the Minor Oaks Hockey Association web site www.moha.on.ca for application form. For further information contact Nancy Brooks at 905-338-9220 or nancy@moha.on.ca Deadline for application is January 4, 2009 Fax - 905-338-9677 www.knarjewellery.com Let It Snow 6" Your Holiday Headquarters · "Genuine" & Licensed Harley-Davidson Products · Men's, Ladies & Children's Clothing · Wallets, Games, Clocks, Jewellery & Collectables Someday, you'll be offered a cigarette or be tempted to smoke. Before you start, think about it: every drag you take screws up your body. Smoking can cause permanent damage to your body. Once a person starts, it becomes extremely tough to quit. And did we mention all that cash you'll be blowing in the process? So, if you're tempted to start, ask yourself, "What's the point?" OPEN THIS SUNDAY Jacox Harley-Davidson Mission Statement: To insure our customers `live the Harley-Davidson dream' by honouring our commitment to total customer satisfaction in a family friendly environment. Winston Churchill Holiday Hours MON-WED THUR-FRI SAT DEC 20 SUN DEC 21 MON DEC 22 TUE DEC 23 8:30am-6pm 8:30am-8pm 8:30am-6pm 10am-4pm 8:30am-8pm 8:30am-8pm (905) www.jacoxharley.com 858-0966 Argentia Home Depot Erin Mills Pkwy. 2815 Argentia Road, Mississauga Hwy. 401 Closed WED DEC 24 thru SUN DEC 28 Derry Rd.