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Local blueliner could go in first round of NHL draftBy Paul HunterTORONTO STARStuart Percy, like other television viewers in record num-HIGHLY bers this spring, was completely engrossed by the StanleyTOUTED:Cup final, a rollicking two-week soap opera that ended withStuart Percy, pic-the Boston Bruins hoisting the Cup in joyous celebration.tured working outRare is the Canadian kid who hasnt fantasized about theat this year's moment, probably inserting himself as the hero, as anotherScouting Combine NHL championship is decided. But for Percy this year it allin Toronto, is seemed a little more real, a little more accessible; enough soranked 53rdthat he allowed himself to believe that one day that reallyamong North could be him.American skatersYou definitely get the chills, said Percy, thinking, hop-going into this ing, what could possibly await.weekend's NHLPercy, a standout defenceman with the Mississauga St.Entry Draft in Michaels Majors, is a day away from the NHL draft, hoursMinnesota.away from fulfilling his dream of being selected into the bigleagues. The Oakville native goes into the draft rated byRICK MADONIK /NHLs central scouting as the 53rd-ranked skater in NorthTORONTO STARAmerica but his excellent play in the Memorial Cup andoverall strong finish to the season may have impressedscouts to the point that he is snapped up tomorrow (Friday)night during the first round of the draft in St. Paul, Minn.Making Percy's hopes of one day competing for theguys and now seeing them succeed at the NHL level, saysinside and outside of hockey. Stanley Cup even more realistic was the presence of fellowPercy.Since the NHL draft combine, Percy, for example, has:Greater Toronto Hockey League grad Tyler Seguin in theIt kind of says, these guys have done it and Im right Gone through more testing with the Toronto MapleBoston lineup. Seguin was the second overall pick of thebehind them. I might not be just as good as them, becauseLeafs. They wanted to check out all my joints to see if Bruins at the last draft and Percy who grew up playing for,those two kids were really high picks and theyre two greattheyre in good shape.first, the Jr. Canadiens, then the Marlies remembers lin-talents, but it definitely tells you that if you work hard, you Worked out on a treadmill for the New Jersey Devils.gering after his own games as a kid to watch Seguin on thecan definitely be there.They hooked me up to a bunch of electrodes and watchedice.Going into the draft, hockey fans and draft geeks parsemy heart rate.Their age group used to play after us. (Carolinas Calderthe pool, assessing the various strengths and weaknesses of Had dinner with the management team of the DallasTrophy candidate) Jeff Skinner too. Watching those guyseach prospect in cold-blooded fashion. Its easy to forgetStars, which was not one of the 24 clubs to interview himgrow up and seeing the players that they became is defi-theyre just teenagers, scrambling to fulfil obligations bothnitely encouraging. Its really cool having watched thoseSee Percy, page 252011 Summer Soccer Camps Focus on soccer activities in a fun environment. Three out of park adventures for full day campers including bowling, mini putt and movies! Complimentary T-Shirt, soccer ball and lunch on Friday.Pre/Post care and bus transportation for full day campers available.Half Day Camp 9 a.m. to 12 noon -$200* per week. Available for ages U4 to U6Full Day Camp 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. -$300* per week. Available for ages U7 to U16Weekly sessions on the outdoor fields at the Pine Glen Soccer Centre, or on the indoor fields if it rains.*Pre/Post care and bus transportation not includedSession Dates: July 4-8, July 11-15, July 18-22, July 25-29, August 8-12, August 15-19For more information or to register visit www.oakvillesoccer.caProud sponsor of the Oakville Soccer Clubwww.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, June 23, 2011 24