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Blades' latest roster moves address present, future Oakville Blades general manager Carlo Coccimiglio feels it's going to take Nathan Granitto some time to work his way into game shape. If the team's newest acquisition isn't there yet, the Blades have certainly given themselves a shot in the arm for the Ontario Junior Hockey League's stretch run. Granitto was signed by the Moncton Wildcats earlier this season but he had yet to play a game for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team. When the Blades heard that the Thorold native was looking to return home to Ontario, they brought him in to have a look. "He's got good skills," Coccimiglio said. "He's a good skater and brings offensive skills and he competes every shift." The 18-year-old didn't take long to show those skills, scoring just 6:15 into his Blades debut, a 5-0 win over the Brampton Capitals last Thursday. The next night it was another newcomer, Tye Campbell, who opened the scoring in a 3-0 shutout of the Newmarket Hurricanes. Campbell came to the Blades from the Mississauga Chargers. Like Granitto, Campbell had spent much of the season waiting for a chance to play. After being released by the Soo Greyhounds, he returned to play four games for the Chargers in December. "He's the type of player we need. He plays on the edge," Coccimiglio said of the winger who racked up 78 penalty minutes in 25 games with Mississauga last season but has also demonstrated a scoring touch with two goals in four games with the Blades. "He's tremendous on the forecheck." The Blades also acquired 19-year-old Andrew Habel from Wisconsin of the Superior International Junior Hockey League. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound forward had two assists in the Blades' three games this weekend. "He's a highly skilled offensive player," Coccimiglio said. The arrival of the trio couldn't have come at a better time. The Blades have been plagued by injuries, dressing just 14 skaters in Saturday's 9-4 win over Brampton. The new additions will help offset the loss of second-leading scorer Braedan Russell, who was recently dealt to the St. Michael's Buzzers. "He was a big part of the team," Coccimiglio said. "He came in and asked to be traded, and we won't hold a player back. It caught us off guard." Despite working several new players into the lineup, the Blades have not skipped a beat. They won all three of their games over the past week to improve to 7-0-1 in 2012. And Coccimiglio said the impact of the deals will be felt beyond this year, with all three players having junior eligibility in 2012-13. "When we make moves, we make moves for the future, but they will also help us make a run in the playoffs this year," Coccimiglio said. With just three weeks remaining in the regular season, strong performances from their pre-existing players show the Blades are preparing for another long playoff run. James Prigione stopped 43 shots in blanking Newmarket, which came on the heels of a 23-save shutout by Michael Stiliadis. Combined, the netminders went more than 127 minutes without surrendering a goal. And with leading scorer Tyler Karius out since before Christmas, his teammates have taken turns stepping up to fill the void. Brandon Denham delivered a hat trick Saturday, with two of the goals coming while the Blades were shorthanded, and added a pair of assists for a career-best five-point game. Liam Board had a goal and an assist against Newmarket, and defenceman Phil Hampton scored twice in the shutout win over Brampton. The Blades also improved their leaguebest penalty-killing unit, denying opponents on 18 straight opportunities. -- Herb Garbutt 19 · Wednesday, January 25, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Quality Baseball in Our Community since 1963 For House League and Select Programs for all Players Born 1994 to 2007 Register online at www.baseballoakville.com or download registration form and mail with payment. Or Visit our clubhouse on Saturday's From 9 AM to 12 PM at 1236 Speers Road, Unit #4 For more information email us at info@baseballoakville.com 2012 Player Registration A T S r e m sum INFORMATION SESSION S R E D E P M Burlington Burlington Seniors SeniorsCentre Centre 2285 New St., 2285 New St., Burlington, Burlington, Ontario Ontario (in (in Central Central Park Parkadjacent adjacentto to the the Central Library and Arena) Central Library and Arena) Sunday January 29, 2012 Saturday January 22, 2011 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Auditorium A OAKVILLE LACROSSE REGISTRATION Registration 2012 Season All registration will take place @ OAKVILLE TOWN HALL - Trafalgar Room 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. VARSITY (playersborn born 1993-95) VARSITY (players 1992-94) Coach Neil Lumsden Coach Sean Wiliamson JUNIOR VARSITY(players (players born 1996) JUNIOR VARSITY born 1995-96) Coach Ben Britton Coach Sean Williamson JUNIOR VARSITY(players (players born in 1997) JUNIOR VARSITY born 1995-96) Coach Mike Ramsey Coach Kevin Holmes BANTAM (players in 1998-99) BANTAM (players born 1997- 98) Coach Cliff Bruce Coach Cliff Bruce Girls Field Lacrosse - Mini Hawks to U19 - $260.00 Jr. & Sr. Peanut Box Lacrosse - $185.00 Tyke to Intermediate Box Lacrosse - $260.00 REGISTRATION FEE REGISTRATION DATES: Saturday, January 14th - 10:00am - 4:00pm Saturday, January 21st - 10:00am - 4:00pm Saturday, January 28th - 10:00am - 4:00pm Thursday, February 2nd - 7:00pm - 9:00pm (evening) NOTE: ALL NEW PLAYERS (BOX & FIELD) REQUIRE A PROOF OF AGE BIRTH CERTIFICATE, PASSPORT OR NEW HEALTH CARD If you have any questions or require further information please contact our registrar at register@oakvillelacrosse.com urlin www.b gtonm otba inorfo ll.ca