Hockey Is Big Business in Area Involving Hundreds of Players Wearing Costly Protective Gear by Liz Armstrong For the uninitiated, the hockey scene in Bowmanville is a tangled maze of teams, sponsors, tournaments and leagues. Recent newcomers will soon ýalize that this is a big hsockey town. No other organ- ized sport, including baseball and soccer, has yet to come close to generating the fever- ish enthusiasm and dedication that ice hockey does. Adult leagues and the Junior C team aside, there are still vell over 600 boys ranging in age from 5-18 who regard hockey as their prime leisure time activity for a period of up to eight months of the year. In a month's time, the season will be well under way. Practices and try-outs have already begun and the ice has been in the Bowmanville Arena since just after Labour Day. For parents who are inter- ested in getting their sons involved in the game -- be prepared. It's a costly, time- consuming venture. Boys' hockey is divided into two distinct categories in Bowmanville. Last week, the Bowmanville Minor Hockey Association All Stars were the subject of a Statesman article, and this week, we'll have a look at the Recreation League. Aiming to Please The saying goes that you can't please all of the people all of the time, but Joe Kennett certainly tries. As a program director with the Newcastle Recreation De- partment, he strives to offer activities that will answer the needs of large numbers of people in this area, and one of the greatest demands is for boys' ice hockey. In fact, though the Bowman- ville Minor Hockey Associa- tion All Stars get most of the publicity in this town, the Recreation hockey league act- ually provides more than twice the number of local boys with the opportunity to get out on the ice and play the game. Unlike the B.M.H.A., Rec- reation Hockey operates as a town house league, and last year, more than 450 boys, ranging in age from 5-17, participated in the depart- ment's program. Not As Complex Though the six levels in the town league are generally similar to the B.M.H.A. set up, Recreation Hockey is less complex in its organization, with no major and minor (or second team) categories in each of its divisions. Last year, for the first time, five and six year old 'squirts' were included in the recrea- tion department program. They were taught the funda- mentals of the sport by the Kinsmen, and if sufficient ice time is available for the youngsters, they will partici- pate in league play this season. The rest of the league breaks down as follows: Tykes: five teams made up of 7 and 8 years old. Atoms: eight teams of 9 Jand 10 year olds. Peewees: nine teams of 11 and 12 year olds. Bantams: six teams of 13 and 14 year oids. Midgets: four teams of 15-17 year olds. Last year before the arena inspections dampened the spirits (and the availability of ice time) for hockey players in the Town of Newcastle, the Recreation teams were able to practice once a week and play close to 40 games, including league matches, round robin series and playoffs for, the championship of each divis- ion. Registration was $30 per player. As a result of this season's tentative arena closures in Orono and Newcastle Village however, Recreation League players will have to forego the weekly practice session and be content with playing one game a week. The cost o registration has been dropped to $18, though if the arenas are given a reprieve, the leagu SUMMER CLEARANCE SALE BUY NOW and SAVE Chevron Trailers, Truck Campers, Truck Caps, Horse Trailers, Canoes and Boats. CAMSPORT TRAILER SALES Hwy. 115 &35,3 miles N. of 401, Newcastle Phone 987-5174 will revert to last year's schedule and fee structure. Interested boys can sign up for Recreation hockey from September 27-30 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Town Hall on Temperance Street. Practices will begin the first A Good Alternative For boys who are mainly interested in sport participa- tion and not necessarily keen on joining a league which demands top talent and a heavy commitment in terms of travel, recreation hockey offers a good alternative to the All Star Toros. f It's not only the players d themselves who sometimes prefer the less pressured e atomsphere of Recreation hockey. According to Mr. Kennett, parents too are often interested in avoiding the wearing travel and added expense that accompanies the hectic B.M.H.A. schedule. Though All Star hockey draws much of the top talent from the Bowmanville area, that doesn't mean that the recreation teams are simply a collection of left-overs. Often it's a matter of priorities, and in the past many good players have opted for the town league. Training Ground In addition to providing ice time for hundreds of local hockey enthusiasts, the rec- reation league also serves as a training ground for young referees and scorekeepers. Whereas the B.M.H.A. re- quires 'carded' officials to handle their games, the town league assigns the task to local teenagers. These boys are paid for their work by the league, and the experience gives them an opportunity to apply their hockey knowledge in a practical way. A Costly Activity Last year, out of a total of $76,153 spent by the Recrea- tion Department on activities for children and teens, $30,501 was spent on ice hockey. Most of the funds were allocated to rent ice time, purchase new equipment, clean sweaters and pay the league's referees and score- keepers. At first glance, it appears that the large chunk of funds spent by the department on boys hockey actually discrim- inates against girls, but that's not the case. Two years ago, there was a league formed specifically for girls. The response was disap- pointing -- there were only enough players to make up two teams; hardly sufficient to ensure good competition. Though that program was dropped for lack of interest, Mr. Kennett doesn't feel that he could turn away anyone who wants to play -- girls included. He proposes that if a girl is really interested in the game, she could spend a five or six week trial period as part of a boys' team, and then decide whether or not she wanted to continue. An accommodating philos- ophy, and all a part of the Recreation Department's overall objective -- to please all of the people all of the time. In terms of ice hockey, Joe Kennett and his associates rate full marks for their effort. EQUIPMENT COSTS There are no two ways about it. Even for five year old 'squirts', the cost of playing Canada's national game is exorbitant. Being a physical sport, the hockey player who's dressed for action must be padded and protected from head to toe. And it's an all or nothing proposition. There's no way that a hockey player (no matter how young) can get away with using less than the full complement of equip- ment. For parents outfitting their sons for the first time, they can expect to pay at least $100 for the proper gear, and a lot more if they're after top quality, according to Bruce Colwell of D & R Sports. And after the initial cash outlay, the expense doesn't stop unless the boy quits the game. Year by vear, as he grows physicalfy, his hockey equipment must be replacea to keep up with his size, though some items, such as helmets, are available in adjustable versions. While the hockey equipment market may be confusing to first time buyers, most deal- ers can offer good advice about the various brands to make the task simpler. Good, well-fitted skates are essential if a boys wants to be comfortable and effective on the ice. Mr. Colwell recom- mends that buyers spend a few extra dollars on skates to make sure that they get quality footgear, and a good pair can be purchased new for about $30. For those on a Legion Ladies St. Joseph's Continuing expenses include sticks, tape and skate shar- pening. Prices vary, but the cost of replacing one stick alone runs from $2.50 to $10.00 or more. Average Price Range For Boy's Hockey Equipment Helmet - $13-$29, Eye Shield $10-$15, Face and Teeth Guards - $7-$9, Shoulder Pads - $8-20, Suspenders - $2-$5, Elbow Pads - $3-$10, Garter Belts - $2-$5, Supporter and Cup - $2-$13, Pants - $5-$20, Shinguards - $3-$20, Gloves - $10-$30, Skates - $15-$65, Kit Bag - $6-$15, Ankle Guards - $5-$10. Sticks, tape and other acces- sories are extra. The cost for adult equipment is about 50 - 150 per cent more, based bn minimum and maximum price spreads. Bowling Sept. 9th, 1976. Team Standings Sutcliffe 2821 pins, Plazek 2822, Fairey 2800, Sheehan 2490. High single Joan Sutcliffe 328, high triple Joan Sutcliffe 729, high average Joan Sut- cliffe 243. Top 10 averages - Joan Sutcliffe 243, June Baker 228, Mary Gray 225, Virginia Fairey 216, Ann Plazek 200, Lola Wright 187, Helen Dunn 186, Irene Whitney 182, Denise Annaert 182. Friday Night Mixed Team Standings Moe Richards 2934, 3; Don- na Harness 2932, 3; M.A. Richards 2853, 3; Les Smale 2886, 2; Lu Welsh 2777, 2; Ron Selleck 2763, 2; Elton Brock 2887, 1; George Piper 2824, 1; Hilda Brock 2653, 1; Vince Prout 2670, 0. High Single Elton Brock.......... 361 Donna Harness ........296 High Triple Elton Brock...........779 Donna Harness ........695 Team Standings Moe Richards 5995 pins, 6 points; Donna Harness 5978,5; Elton Brock 6162, 4; Lee Welsh 5766, 4: Les Smale 5680. 4, Mary Anne Richards 5744, 3 Ron Selleck 5514, 3; Ian Welton 5312, 3; Bert Engley 5575, 1; Vince Prout 5479, 1; George Piper 5378, 1; Hilda Brock 5250, 1. High single: men Elton Brock 395, ladies Ruth Mitch- ell 325; high triple: men Elton Brock 875, ladies Mary Now- lan 702; high average: men Elton Brock 276,jadies Donna Harness 221. Liberty Belles Team Standings Gibson 1828 pin fall, 3 points; Bragg 1820, 2; Bons 1814, 2; Forsey 1789, 2; Roberts 1775, 1; Spear 1693, 1; Dadson 1751, 1; Alldread 1722, 1; Nickerson 1718, 1; Robinson 1693, 1; Pearce 1635, 1; Coombes 1628, 0. High Single Marian Henning.......252 High Double Helen Dunn ...........437 Top Averages Helen Dunn 219, Bessie Forsey 217, Mary Thompson 208, Una Miller 201, Gail Gallant 200, Rita Fice 199, Rose Morris 198 Fran Sleep 195, Helen Piper 191, Marilyn Pearce 191, Emma Bragg 190, Marian Henning 190. Canadian Foresters Jim Robinson 2913 pins, 7 points; Harold Michelson 2852, 7; George Heath, 2841. 7: Arnold VanGoor 3008, 5; Helen Rogers 2664, 5; Jeanne Spear 2631, 5; May Alldread 2710, 2; John Luffman 2635, 2; Howie Pollard 2452, 2; Ross Hall 2642, 0; Gloria Smith 2439, 0; Chris Duguay 2194, 0. High Triple - men's, Arnold VanGoor - 747; ladies', Phil Ward - 660; High Single - men's, Harold Michelson - 290; ladies', Ann Emmett - 276. Top 10 Averages: 249 Arnold VanGoor, 236 Harold Michel- son, 231 John Luffman, 220 Phil Ward, 219 Howie Pollard, 219 Ted Alldread, 216 Ann Emmett, 213 Norm Hilts, 211 Glen Prout, 210 Andy Bonsma. Nght Hawks High Single B. Wilbur .. .. .. .. .. .....297 G. Vanson. .. .. .. .. .. ....297 High Triple B. Wilbur .. .. .. .. .. .. ...626 Team Standings B. Wilbur 2,646 pins, 3 points; L. Wright 2,536, 1; G. Vanson 2,490, 3; M. Trimble 2,324, 3; I. Hughes 2,206, 1; A. Lorusso 2,194, 1. Games Over 200 G. Vanson 297, B. Wilbur 297, J. Trimble 269, M. Trimble 249, J. Rowe 241, A. Lorusso 219, I. Hughes 206,200. tighter budget, used skates can be purchased more rea- sonably at a skate exchange without sacrificing quality. Hospital Bowling September 7, 1976 L.H.S., L.H.T., and L.H. Av Audrey Rowe, 255, 651, 217. M.H.S., M.H.T. and M.H Av., B. Humber, 261, 640, 213 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, September 22, 1976 9 Team and captain 2 (R. Men's High Single Ferguson) points, 6 (B. Hum- B. Humber...............314 ber), 4 (B. Hanc), 3 (L. Men's High Triple Zulkowski), 1 (J. Besso), 5 (R. B. Humber........................666 Richards). Men's High Average September 14, 1976 B. Humber................217 Ladies' High Single Team Standings J. Ferguson (Bowl-off)......262 Team 6, 12 points; team 2, 10 Ladies' High Triple points; team 4, 10 points, team B. Ingram............596 3, 4 points; team 5, 4 points; Ladies' High Average team 1, 2 points. A. Rowe.............197 Team 6 got High Pins (3154). Bowling September 12, 1976 Team Standing Lois Woodcock, 2755 pin fall, 5 points; Don Zealand, 2635, 5; Roy Sandison, 2595, 5; Gary Conway, 2502, 4; Marg King, 2551, 3; Marion Vanstone, 2613, 2; Bob Brown, 2515, 2; Clayton Morgan, 2486, 2. Top Ten Averages Don Zealand ......:............203 Judy Rand ..................... 202 Art Deboo................198 Roy Sandison............ 197 Fran Ells ............197 Gary Conway.........195 Ricky Zealand..... ....194 Les Hunt............ . .188 Molly Horstman....... 187 Norman Woodcock . 186 Ladies High Single Judy Rand....:........260 Ladies High Triple Judy Rand..................605 Mens High Single Les Hunt............258 Mens High Triple Don Zealand..........610 Team Standing Lois Woodcock 10, Roy Sandison 10, Don Zealand 9, Gary Conway 8, Dolores Walkey 5, Bob Brown 5, Marion Vanstone 4, Clayton Morgan 4. Top *ten averages: Gary Conway 207, Bill White 204, Ricky Zealand 203, Don Zeal- and 198, Marion Vanstone 192, Roy Sandison 191, Clayton Morgan 191, Art Deboo 189, Richard Kilmer 189. Ladies High Single Ricky Zealand 272; ladies high triple Ricky Zealand 638; mens high single Gary Conway 278; mens high triple Richard Kilmer 674. Newtonville- Starkville Team standing: Gold Dig- gers 5, Supremes 2, Lennons 3, Andrews 2. High single Olive Henderson 262, high triple Donna Morris 638. Top 12 averages: Sandra Mclnnes 204, Donna Morris 203, Gail Millson 201, Pat Millson 196, Olive Henderson 190, Marlene Stacey 183, Karen Carter 181, Joyce Stacey 179, Doris Chrysler 175, Jean Arnold 169, Peggy Mill- son 168, Cathy Adams 162, Cindy Cowl1 i60. Elan®'77 from Ski-Doo. Two models with performance and a price designed to let you really enjoy winter. Come in and , ski.gau see them, now. sno wmobiles RTrademarks of Bombardier Limited World'S#fse/ingsnowmobie. 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