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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, October 15, 2015 | 48 HALTON TRANSMISSION 559 SPEERS RD., #UNIT 3 905-842-0725 www.haltontransmission.com Jon Kuiperij Sports Editor sports@oakvillebeaver.com Sports "Connected to your Community" Better defence leading to better offence for Blades sophomore Forward has earned points in every game this season zone," Rajic said of Kudla, a Guelph native. "He's the best D I've ever played with. Beaver Sports Editor He sucks guys in a lot and then dishes to wide-open guys. He makes everyone better Once Christian Rajic stopped worrying around him." The hot start to the season couldn't come about the points, the points started to come. at a better time for Rajic, an 11th-round In droves. A quarter of the way through the Ontario pick in the 2013 Ontario Hockey League Junior Hockey League season, the Oakville draft who has his sights set on landing an Blades forward is already approaching the NCAA scholarship. He entered this year 33-point total he put up last year as a rook- without any firm interest from U.S. collegie. Rajic has recorded points in each of the es, but that is quickly changing. "The numbers definitely help," Rajic said 14 games he's played this season, including of generating attention from college scouts. 10 points in his last four contests. His 23 "The numbers get them to the rink. But points (10 goals, 13 assists) ranks him second in the OJHL scoring race, two points when they're there, it's up to me to have a behind the Burlington Cougars' Jack Jeffers good game." -- a fellow Oakville resident (see story, bot- Rest of team scoring more as well The Blades have also been clicking offentom right of page.) Ironically, Rajic says an increased focus sively as a team of late. After averaging less on play in his defensive responsibilities has than three goals per game in their first nine contests, the Blades have scored 30 goals in led to the offensive outburst. "The defensive side of the game, I've their last five games. Following Friday's win over St. Michael's, Oakville tried to focus on that more whipped the Lindsay Muskies this year. Coach (Mike) Tar7-1 Saturday at Sixteen Mile antino was a little harder on before the Blades' five-game me (last year) because he winning streak was snapped knows how skilled I am in with a 7-5 loss Sunday at the the offensive zone but that I Toronto Jr. Canadiens. won't go anywhere if I'm not Jackson Bales (two), Rollo, focused in the D zone," said Worrad and Rajic scored Sunthe 18-year-old Rajic. "I'm day, when the Blades built a definitely trying to be more of 4-2 first-period lead before a complete player... and now surrendering the next five that we spend less time in the goals of the game. D zone, it means more time In Saturday's contest, Rajic in the offensive zone." had two goals and two asRajic also credits his linesists. Ryan Garvey, Josh Komates, Drew Worrad and sack, Bryce Misley, Bales and Tyler Rollo, for contributing Kudla also found the net for to his torrid start. Rollo has Christian Rajic Oakville, and Michael Botiz earned points in seven of Oakville Blades forward made 18 saves to earn the win eight games this season, inin goal. cluding eight in the last four. Friday, goals by Kosack, Misley, Rajic and Worrad has collected points in nine of 10 games, and has enjoyed three three-point Bales gave Oakville a 4-0 lead by the twominute mark of the second period. Ethan outings in the last two weeks. It's also helped having Patrick Kudla on Nother, Kosack and Kudla added markers the back end. The first-year Blades defence- later in the game and Brendan McGlynn man, who played junior B last year with stopped 20 of 23 shots to record the victory. The Blades (7-5-1-1) will be home to the the Guelph Hurricanes, ranks third in the OJHL in scoring, one point behind Rajic. Toronto Patriots tomorrow (Friday) at SixKudla, who Tarantino believes has NHL po- teen Mile, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, tential, had five points Friday in Oakville's the Blades will host a rare matinee versus the 7-3 win over the St. Michael's Buzzers at Pickering Panthers, a 1:30 p.m. start. Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. -- Jon Kuiperij can be followed "We joke around and call him Bobby on Twitter @Beaversports (Orr) a lot. He's always in the offensive by Jon Kuiperij The numbers get (scouts) to the rink. But when they're there, it's up to me to have a good game. Oakville Blades forward Christian Rajic, pictured calling for a pass in a game earlier this season against Georgetown, has recorded points in each of the Blades' first 14 games of the Ontario Junior Hockey League season. | photo by Kevin Sousa -- OJHL Images Oakville native leads OJHL in scoring by Herb Garbutt Oakville Beaver Staff Before he drew the attention of NHL scouts, Jack Jeffers caught the eye of his coach. When Mark Jooris took over behind the Burlington Cougars' bench midway through last season, he saw a talented player with the type of skills that can't be taught. "He's an elite skater, an NHL-type skater," Jooris said. "He's got very good poise and vision with the puck." But Jooris wasn't always thrilled with how those skills were being utilized. Too often, he saw Jeffers taking shortcuts in the defensive zone, looking to spring the next rush. So after a dismal 11-win season came to an end, he sat down with the 6-foot, 170-pound centre. "We had a very candid conversation," Jooris said. "I said, `Do you want to help this team be successful or do you want to go play shinny?' Some kids will say, `Yeah, I'll do it,' but he's 100 per cent bought in. He's playing the right way, both ways. It's been great to see." And paying attention to his defensive duties has done nothing to slow down Jeffers. If anything, going on the defensive has bolstered his numbers. After a strong rookie campaign, Jeffers has 25 points in 14 games this season, putting him on pace to double last year's 46 points. "I worked hard over the summer and I've worked on becoming a more complete player," Jeffers said. "Instead of turning away from the puck, I'm stopping on the puck, backchecking, see Jeffers on p.49