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North York has two potential firstâ€"round. _ Ontario Hockey League picks in Yianni Ioannou "They‘ve helped out tremendously," he noted. "George works the forwards and Tom coaches the defence. Their experience (several years in the Oakville minor rep system) has really showed. They‘ve taught the players a lot and they‘ve made a nice transition (into junior A)." By TED McINTYRE Special to the Beaver akville hockey fans could have been Oexcused for doing a doubleâ€"take during a pair of recent games in the Metro Junior A Hockey League. Plymg their trade behind the bench for the firstâ€"year North York Rangers were assistant coaches Tom Richards and George McDonald. Barking out commands for St. Michael‘s Buzzers were former local players Dave Barrett and Owen Griffithsâ€"â€"an appropriate pair considerâ€" ing their general manager is none other than departed Oakville Blades head coach Ken Moodie. They have more than that in common, though: Both were turned down for the head coaching job with the Blades. Barrett was further denied the post as coach of Oakville‘s AAA midget repsâ€" a team he guided to the league final a year ago. So while the Blades have already made one coaching change and flounder in fifthâ€"place in the Central Jr. A League, North York remains only five points out of first in the Bauer Division while St. Mike‘s sits just three back in the Fullan. "That sent shock waves through the league," claimed head coach George Stavro. Stavro was introduced to McDonald and Richards a year ago by team trainer and partâ€" owner Bill Young and credits the duo for much of the Rangers‘ surprising success. North York opened the season with a win over St. Mike‘s then won backâ€"toâ€"back contests over Richmond Hill. Local coaches soar in Metro League Appleby‘s too tough for OT Red Devils held as many, if not more, good scoring opportunities than their hosts but still lost for just the second time this season. Appleby upped its record to 5â€"0. By TOM MICHIBATA Oakville Beaver staff When the doorbell rings, you have to answer it. And in a key Halton high school â€" hockey â€" encounter Wednesday, Appleby College was aptly rewarded for doing so. While Oakville Trafalgar Red Devils stumbled and tripped and came away shaking their heads Appleby‘s ability to cash in on its chances made the difference in a 6â€"3 victory, Thursday at J.S. Gairdner Arena. In the opening stanza, the Red Devils had three twoâ€"onâ€"one breaks. On another occasion winger Tim Trenholm was alone with the puck in front but was foiled twice by Appleby goalie Cam Bradley. Yet it was Appleby who scored the only goal of the period on its See APPLEBY, Page 17 High schools are back in business The high school sports schedule resumed in earnest this week after a long Christmas break. Among the games was this hockey contest between Q.E. Park Eagles and Oakville Trafalgar. Above, Eagles netminâ€" der Jason Rushforth shuts the door on OT‘s Kevin Riss in a 1â€"1 tie. (Photo by Peter McCusker) ~SPORTS and Brandon Gray. The Rangers also snatched White Oaks High School student Pat Russell, another blueâ€"liner, out of Oakville. The 17â€"yearâ€" old has developed into a formidable defenceman and team leader. "I talked to him in the summer," noted Richards, a former coach of Russell‘s. "He hadn‘t been contacted by the Blades (and) he‘s turned out to be a real find. I really like the kid." "We‘ve had an incredible rash of injuries," said Barrett, who took over the head coaching duties four games into the season when Moodie elected to take up more permanent residence as "At one point recently we had 10 of our 22 players out." he said. Buzzers were also minus the services of defenceman Ashlin Halfnight, a 17â€"yearâ€"old prodigy who helped Canada to a gold medal at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland last month. Meanwhile, over in the Fullan Division, St. Mike‘s lingers in third place, despite suffering through an extended unhealthy period. Where they‘re not currently short is in coachâ€" RALPH RADZKI ing expertise. "Twelve games into the season I asked Owen to come aboard," said Barrett. Griffiths coached for six years under Sheridan College‘s Steve Blundy and, says Barrett, "Next to Steve, I think Owen‘s the smartest hockey man in Oakville. I was surprised the Blades didn‘t give him the (head coach) job." Where the twosome has excelled is in working with young talent. While they are not quite as shortâ€"inâ€"theâ€"tooth as the league‘s youngest team, North York, St. Mike‘s is dotted with 13 players of midget age. So when the injury bug hits, it can have a draining effect. Fortunately, the Metro loop provides its teams with 30 nonâ€"affiliated midget teams from which to draw players. "It can be easier to fill the gaps (than in the Central league)," Griffiths said. That gives Metro a decided edge over the Central League on the ice, he said. Another local player pursuing his career in the Metro League is Dan Gilpin, who has helped Bramalea Blues pull to within a point of top spot. t all. There was no hitting nalties The coach (Greg and look at all our possiâ€" when teams must submit 'ak":‘.chzmges xf they H ered cows." 3, two players willâ€" play) and Matt e. Pat Hennebury. hy, Jason Ritchie. Clancy 1 replied for Milton. et FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 1993 PAGE 16 As defending provincial champiâ€" on and runnerâ€"up respectively, the Oakvilleâ€"based _ West _ Side Volleyball Club juvenile and junior teams haven‘t really skipped a beat so far in the new season. West Side, led by Oakville‘s Dan Lewis and Vijay Vyas, will supply the lone juvenile entry in the nineâ€" team field. The juveniles are in Pool A; the juniors and Oakville‘s Patrick Wacner are in Pool B. There are only three holdovers from last year on the juvenile team: Travis Winjtes, 17, Matthew Cunliffe, 17, both of Brampton and Jason Fehr, 17, of Clarkson. Fehr and Winjtes played for ths Ontario underâ€"19 team this past summer. He says the exâ€"midget players have made a smooth transition to juvenile, although, Vyas, a White Oaks Secondary School student, is trying to learn the nuances of a new position (setter). At 6â€"feet tall, he was too small to play power at the juvenile level. Local fans will get a chance to see for themselves when West Side hosts the McGregor Cup junior tournament, tomorrow (Saturday) at Oakville Trafalear Hich School. Five players, including Lewis and Vyas, both 16, are graduates of last year‘s national champion West Side midget club. The other three are David Sands of Georgetown. Steve Delaney and Craig Donen, both of Mississauca. New faces are Kriss Eglitis of St. Catharines, Jim Katsilieris and Ron Harrison, both of Georgetown, and Kerby Bentley of Caledon. "I think we will be a contending team (for a provincial title)," said West Side juvenile coach John Burt of Oakville. But will also double as junior coach in place of Oakville‘s Regg Miller, who will be in Winnipeg. Man. this weekend with the McMaster University men‘s squad for a tournament. Top teams in each pool advance to the semifinals at 5 p.m. Winners meet for the gold, losers for the bronze. Both games go at 6:15 p.m. Burt says playing against older teams will allow his team to gain more experience and work on its came. West Side hosts top volleyballers