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Jon Kuiperij Sports Editor sports@oakvillebeaver.com Sports M I L E S T O N E 25 | Wednesday, September 11, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" M O M E N T Tavares named captain of New York Islanders Former St. Thomas Aquinas high school student John Tavares is the new captain of the New York Islanders. The 22-year-old Oakville resident was named the 14th captain in the team's 42-year history Monday. "It's obviously one heck of an honour to be named captain of the New York Islanders, to have the respect of your teammates, the organization, our great fans and everyone involved with the club," Tavares told NHL.com. "There have been so many great past captains and obviously the last two (Doug Weight and Mark Streit) have meant a lot to me. Hopefully I can carry the team in a way they did and learn from the great friendships that I have with them." Tavares, the first overall selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, has led the Islanders in scoring during each of his four seasons with the club. Last year, he was named a finalist for the Hart Trophy (league MVP) after ranking third in the league with 28 goals and leading the Islanders to their first playoff appearance in six years. In the playoffs, Tavares had a team-high five points (three goals, two assists) in New York's firstround series loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. "John has developed into an elite player in this league and become the leader of our franchise both on and off the ice," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "He consistently represents our organization with class and respect. John's work ethic and determination inspires his teammates to succeed, which makes him the perfect choice to lead our franchise." The Islanders open the preseason Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the Calgary Flames. New York's first regularseason contest is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 4, when the Isles visit the New Jersey Devils. Ryan Garvey (left) and Mark Bzowey celebrate Garvey's first Ontario Junior Hockey League goal Friday at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. The tally, which came with 2:25 remaining in the third period, also gave the Oakville Blades a 2-1 victory over the Milton IceHawks in the season opener for both clubs. | photo by Graham Paine -- Oakville Beaver -- @Halton_Photog Blades settle for opening weekend split The Oakville Blades were a minute away from earning at least three of a possible four points in the opening weekend of the Ontario Junior Hockey League season. Oakville began the campaign Friday with a 2-1 win over the Milton IceHawks at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. The following evening, the Georgetown Raiders scored twice in the final 51 seconds to down the Blades 4-2 in Georgetown. Ryan Garvey was the hero for Oakville in Friday's season opener, scoring a power-play marker with 2:25 remaining in regulation time to break a 1-1 deadlock. Greg Allen had the Blades' other goal, and Evan Buitenhuis stopped 35 of 36 shots to record the win. Oakville resident Alex Riche had the Milton tally, tying the game in the third period. Saturday, Sean Kohler scored 11 seconds into the game to give the Blades a 1-0 lead. After the Raiders replied with a pair of goals, Mark Bzowey tied the game with 8:46 to go in the third. Georgetown regained the lead in the final minute, then added an empty-netter with one tick left on the clock. Buitenhuis made 37 saves in a losing cause. Following Saturday's contest, the Blades announced the acquisition of forward Joe Seney from the Kingston Voyageurs in exchange for veteran Spencer Green. Seney had two goals and three assists with Kingston last year as a rookie. Green, a former member of the Kingston Frontenacs, collected 31 points in 40 games last season for the Blades. The Blades are home to the Cobourg Cougars this Frday (7:30 p.m., Sixteen Mile) and visit the Mississauga Chargers Saturday. Sherry Middaugh shouts out instructions to her sweepers during the women's final of the Stu Sells Oakville Tankard World Curling Tour event Sunday at Oakville Curling Club. Middaugh's rink edged Toronto's Cathy Auld in one extra end, 5-4. | photo by Graham Paine -- Oakville Beaver -- @Halton_Photog Jacobs, Middaugh win Tankard titles Brad Jacobs' Sault Ste. Marie rink repeated as men's champion at the Stu Sells Oakville Tankard Sunday at Oakville Curling Club. The team of Jacobs, Ryan Fry, E.J. Harnden and Ryan Harnden defeated Kevin Koe's Calgary rink 5-3 in the title match. Jacobs, 28, has represented Northern Ontario at two Briers. In women's action, Coldwater's Sherry Middaugh and teammates Jo-Ann Rizzo, Lee Merklinger and Leigh Armstrong needed an extra end to edge Cathy Auld's Toronto entry 5-4 in the final. Middaugh is a six-time Scotties Tournament of Hearts participant and a three-time competitors in Olympic trials. A total of 60 teams, including Olympic gold medalist Brad Gushue and Oakville's Erika Brown (who has represented the United States twice at the Olympics), competed at the Stu Sells Oakville Tankard, which is a World Curling Tour event. Victorious rinks earned $8,000.