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Success of midgets, minor midgets comes in different ways Continued from page 18 19 · Wednesday, February 6, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com that nothing is ever perfect on the first attempt. I think we've been able to lay a good blueprint to keep Oakville kids here, and hopefully people after us can do a better job of making sure the entire team is Oakville guys in the end." Midgets strong once again The Oakville midget AAA Rangers rely much more heavily on homegrown talent, but that hasn't kept the program from being extremely successful in recent years. Oakville midget AAA teams have won the OMHA championship the past three seasons and reached the Ontario Hockey Federation final in 2010. "There are a lot of quality players in Oakville, and some players who have left to play in (the GTHL) want to come back to play in Oakville," said Rangers assistant coach Mike Daley. "The biggest thing is the kids enjoy it and have fun. Our association has been kind enough to provide us with a private dressing room for the midget kids. It's a perk of playing midget in Oakville." Continuity behind the bench has also been key. The Rangers coaching staff, led by head coach Tom Daley, has remained the same for the past five years. The minor midget year is widely seen as the most important of a minor hockey player's career, since it is their first year of OHL draft eligibility, but Mike Daley said players still have plenty to strive for in their midget seasons. "Minor midget is just the start. Parents see minor midget as the end game and that if you don't get drafted, you're done," Daley said. "The reality is that the OHL draft is, for most guys, a foot in the door. It's a nice asterisk (on players' resumes) when they're looking for a junior team." Daley points to several recent members of the midget Rangers program who moved on to higher levels of hockey. The most obvious example is Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Scott Wilson, but Daley also lists Mark Bennett (Union College), Brandon Alderson (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds), Daniel Poliziani (Guelph Storm), Braeden Russell (British Columbia junior A league's Vernon Vipers), Phil Hampton (Oakville Blades/ Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and Travis Fulton (RPI). "There is a growing number of players each year that move on from midget to the OHL," Daley said. "At the NCAA level, there are plenty of guys signing scholarships who played a year or two of midget and needed that time to develop." Daley feels there are seven or eight players on the Rangers who are potential future OHL or NCAA players. Leading scorer Alex Ritchie (65 points in 49 games, going into last weekend's action) was not selected in last year's OHL draft but is expected to draw plenty of interest this summer; Brandon Hughes has already signed a contract with Sault Ste. Marie; and Viktor Meuller is a second-round pick of the Belleville Bulls. The midget Rangers will be the first Oakville team in action Saturday, facing off against the Burlington Eagles at 3 p.m. Oakville routed the Eagles 8-0 and 8-1 in the first two meetings of the season, but Burlington tied the next affair 3-3, then handed the Rangers a 4-3 defeat Jan. 23 at Joshua's Creek Arenas. "They're always a thorn in our side," Daley said. "I think you'll see a good hockey game." Blades a goal for Rangers players The Blades will conclude Saturday's trifecta when they take on Milton for a 7:30 p.m. start. Oakville is fourth in the OJHL's South Division (but just six points behind firstplace St. Michael's with three games in hand) and has clinched a spot in the upcoming playoffs. In the first three meetings between the IceHawks and Blades this season, Oakville prevailed by scores of 5-2, 5-2 and 7-4. But Milton hurt the Blades' already unlikely chances of finishing first in the South West Conference by doubling up Oakville 6-3 last weekend in Milton. Harvey is hopeful that members of the midget AAA and minor midget AAA Rangers will attend the Blades' contest after their games. "They could potentially be Blades one day," Harvey said. "Kids who grew up being Rangers can move to the next level." Regular admission charges will apply for the Blades' game, but the minor midget and midget games will be free of charge. The Blades are organizing time-keeping, announcing and music for all three contests. OAKVILLE LACROSSE REGISTRATION Registration 2013 Season Toronto Rock Training Center ­ 1132 Invicta Dr., Oakville Off of North Service Rd. between Trafalgar Rd. & Joshua Creek Arena All registration will take place @ Girls Field Lacrosse - Mini Hawks to U19 - $260.00 Jr. & Sr. Peanut Box Lacrosse - $185.00 Tyke to Intermediate Box Lacrosse - $260.00 Saturday, January 26th ­ 9:00am ­ 3:00pm Saturday, February 2nd - 9:00am ­ 3:00pm Saturday, February 9th ­ 9:00am ­ 3:00pm Wednesday, February 13th ­ 6:00pm ­ 9:00pm (evening) Cash or Cheque accepted. 3% additional charge if paid by Credit Card. No debit machine on premises. REGISTRATION FEE REGISTRATION DATES: Senior A's looking for ballplayers The Oakville Senior A's baseball team is seeking players for the upcoming season. The A's compete in the Central Ontario Baseball Association's major league. Players must be 21 years of age or older. Home games are played Mondays at Oakville Park, beginning at 7:30 p.m., and the season features 40 games plus tournaments. For more information, contact Wade Bekar at 416-407-7341. 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 registrar@oakvillelacrosse.com SATURDAY FEBRUARY 9 IS HOCKEY DAY IN OAKVILLE! SATURDAY NIGHT FIRST 800 FANS GET FREE BLADES SKATE TOWEL!!! ONLY 6 HOME GAMES LEFT THIS SEASON!!! COME WATCH THE 3 HIGHEST LEVEL HOCKEY TEAMS IN OAKVILLE PLAY! Puck Drop 7:30 PM at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT 3:00 PM Oakville Rangers Midget AAA vs. Burlington Eagles 5:00 PM Oakville Rangers Minor Midget AAA vs. Southern Tier Admirals 7:30 PM Oakville Blades vs. Milton Icehawks Adults $5, Students/Seniors $2, Kids FREE Any MOHA/Hornet players FREE, All MOHA/Hornets Coaching Staffs FREE, Oakville Blades Alumni FREE FRIDAY NIGHT OAKVILLE BLADES VS. ORANGEVILLE FLYERS SATURDAY NIGHT OAKVILLE BLADES VS. MILTON ICEHAWKS SATURDAY FEB 9 HOCKEY DAY IN OAKVILLE LINEUP: