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See me before you purchase or lease your next vehicle G lfn lev en C hrysler CHRYSLER · DO DGE · JEEP 2388 Row! Windsor Dl, 90S845-7575 Editor: Norm Nelson Phone: 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: nnelson@haltonsearch.com \vi:i ).\i :si ja y . i )i i( :i-:mi > > i a \ 11. 2 ( SPORTS DOES YOUR CAR WAX G IVE YOU BETTER PRO TEC TION THAN YO UR CUT-RATE CAR INSURANCE? D on't trust ju st anyone to insure your car. sec me: Bakker relished trip to the Grey Cup By Steve Dominey SPECIA L T O T H E BEAVER There was no Grey Cup victory for O akville's Tim B akker this year, but h e 's only in the first quarter o f what prom ises to be a long, successful career. In his third year with the Canadian Football L eague's Edm onton Eskim os, Bakker suffered the m ost disappointing loss o f his career on Nov. 24 when his club lost the Grey Cup 25-16 to the M ontreal A louettes. The cham pionship game, played on a slick field in Edm onton, was a close affair that ended for the Eskim os when they m issed a tw o-point conversion with 19 seconds rem aining in the game. However, the six-foot-four-inch, 300pound O akville native says playing in his first CFL cham pionship in front o f 62,531 home fans was an unforgettable experience. "All week it was what everybody was talk ing about on TV, in the papers and on the street, it was pretty incredible," says Bakker. "Instead o f being in another city, dow n town in a hotel where all the action is, we were able to have fun, then go to our homes and escape the m adness." W hile B akker is disappointed the homefield advantage did not translate into a Grey Cup win, he says he's happy with the way he and his team played. "I think we outplayed them for most o f the gam e," he says. "We were ju st hurt by a couple o f key plays on the other side." The 25-year old says the experience has taught him ju st how hard it is to reach the Grey Cup. "I feel fortunate to play in that gam e so early in my career when players who have been around 16 years still haven't made it to one. "I know how hard you have to play to get there now and I think we will have a good Peter McCusker · Oakville Beaver team next year with a chance to go back." However, right now next season is the fur ALL SMILES! this unidentified Oakville Trafalgar Red Devil player battles with a couple of thest thing from his mind. Blakelock players for the puck. OTHS won 5-4. High school standings and scores inside. As soon as the season ended, B akker went back to work full-tim e as an investm ent adviser at the Royal Bank, his part-tim e job during the season. Sw itching focus is nothing new to Bakker. O fficially, h e's listed as an offensive line man, but Bakker has been E dm onton's utilityman since being drafted third overall in the 2000 Canadian college draft by the Eskim os. Using his athleticism to fill every hole that in the net. Even when he made By Chris Lomon arises on the team 's roster, B akker has started ' SPECIAL TO TH E BEARER the transition to the every position on the offensive line -- cen £ * International Hockey League ter, tackle and m ost often right guard. W hat he accomplishes may as a member of Flint, the num At the m idpoint o f this season he faced his not always be found on the bers didn't wane. m ost difficult task -- becom ing the CFL's scoresheet, but it hardly dimin But after a brief stint on biggest fullback. A fter starting his first eight ishes what this Oakville native Broadway with the Rangers, gam es on the offensive line, injuries and a brings to the rink each night. nine games, to be exact, lack o f team depth forced the Eskim os to Hockey, especially at the Zamuner signed as a free agent move Bakker into the backfield, where he NHL level, is no doubt a num with Tampa Bay on July 13, rem ained throughout the rest o f the season bers game, plain and simple, 1992, a fledgling club that and playoffs. most observers opining that a required a certain type of play Fullback, a more skilled, athletic position player's value is based purely er. The team was in desperate that involves a greater am ount o f running and on points scored. For those need of individuals who could who play the game, however, add some offensive spark while blocking, is usually held by players who it's hardly the ultimate measure providing a sound, defensive weigh approxim ately 50 pounds lighter than of success. game. It was. in essence, the Bakker. R ob Z a m u n e r - # 17 Rob Zamuner, Boston's do ideal setting for someone like Eskim os offensive line coach Bill Center/Left Wing it-all forward, is a prime exam Zamuner. M acderm ott says B akker's ability to m ulti Shoots: Left ple o f just that. "When I got to Tampa, they task is what m akes him invaluable to the Height: 6 ' 3" Combining a tireless work asked me to take on more club. Weight: 203 lbs. ethic with an unyielding deter responsibility in my own end," " H e's an athletic guy with great footw ork, B om : September 17. 1969 in mination to succeed. Zamuner. recalled Zamuner, who regis he has good size, h e 's a good contact football Oakville, Ontario in his second season with the tered 15 goals and 43 points in player and a load to block," says M acderm ott. Last Am ateur Club: Guelph Bruins, is the prototypical team his first season with the Bolts. "It's rare a defence w ould have to take on a Platers (OHL) player, an unselfish individual "I didn't have a problem with fullback that big that can move and block the still dedicated to perfecting his it at all because I knew it was way he can." craft. the best thing for the team." to getting better each year." The coach says it's B akker's w ork ethic "I think every player sets His willingness to alter his Prior to his NHL tenure. that allow s him to excel at every position he goals for him self when the sea Zamuner, who graduated from playing style earned Zamuner son starts and I'm certainly no plays. rave reviews from teammates the Oakville Rangers rep sys different." said the veteran left He recalls a day last season when Bakker and the organization alike. tem to play his junior hockey winger, originally drafted 45th Neutralizing the opposition's cam e in for individual training on blocking, with the Guelph Storm (then overall in 1989 by the New top offensive threats, working reacting quickly off the snap and staying low Platers) of the Ontario Hockey York Rangers. "In this league, the penalty kill, Zamuner League, was a high-scoring in a stance on the offensive line. you have to constantly moti became increasingly more dedforward, well regarded for his In an effort to get the big linem an to stay vate yourself and be committed penchant for putting the puck (See 'Zamuner' page D3) Versatile Tim Bakker slotted in at fullback low, M acderm ott grabbed a baseball bat out o f his car, extended it from his side and asked B akker if he could run under it. C onfident in his abilities, B akker reacted to the snap, dart ed off the line and sm acked the top o f his head right off the bat. "It sounded like a bat hitting a ball," laughs M acderm ott. "I wish we taped that practice session because it's things like that the boys really enjoy." The coach says he is not sure what posi tion B akker will play next year. "It depends on a variety o f factors," he says. "If anyone retires, do we pick up a full back, what happens with free agents and all those things that can happen to a pro football team ." B akker says he enjoyed playing fullback, but believes ultim ately, he w ill pay his bills with his ability as a right guard. "I assum e I 'll be starting on the line because they told me not to lose any weight in the off-season," he chuckles. B akker's family, who still live in O akville, are equally confused when it com es to what position h e's playing. "We have to find out if h e 's num ber 50 or 72 and then we have to phone the w hole fam ily and tell them w hat num ber he is," says T im 's father Gerry. "Even the neighbours phone up and ask." The Bakkers avoided any potential num ber m ix-up during the Grey Cup, flying to Edm onton to see their so n 's biggest gam e in person. "I obviously felt a great deal o f pride see ing him on the field in a stadium with 60,000 scream ing fans," says Gerry. "He clearly loves what he does and th at's all any parent can ask for their son." The younger Bakker echoes his fa th er's sentim ent, saying it is the city o f Edm onton that m akes football fun for him. "I miss O akville and living in southern O ntario, but Edm onton is such a great sports city. "It's fun to be recognized on the street, it's good for the ego." O akville residents m ight recognize him on their streets in the near future, as he plans to visit his hom etow n before the football season begins again in June. Zamuner in second year with the Boston Bruins O A K V I L L E DES Friday, Jon. 3 at 7:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 at 7:45 p.m. BRAMPTON CAPITALS vs OAKVIUC BUtiTCS at Oakville Ice Sports Centre ! / MISSISSAUGA CHAAGCRS ,, 'A ^ u c K" /? OAKVIUC BIADCS at Oakville Ice Sports Centre