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The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, November 30,1994 9 OHL Rookie Making Impression with Guelph Storm O ne couldn't help but notice the strong local presence on hand Sunday evening at the Civic Auditorium in Oshawa during an OHL league game between the hometown Generals Generals and the visiting Guelph Storm. As fans hurried to their seats, waves of blue and white Bowman- ville Toro jackets worn by adults and kids could be seen everywhere. A smattering of cheers went up in the crowd as the scoreboard flashed a welcome to a couple of local local groups who had made the short trek along the 401 highway for the game. Heck, even the 50/50 draw, worth over $800, was won by a Bowmanvillc resident. They were all there for one reason. reason. Bowmanvillc minor hockey product, Jason Jackman, had returned, returned, making his debut in front of his hometown supporters as a member member of the Guelph Storm. Sunday's game was one that had been marked on the calendars of local local hockey fans well in advance. "Coming back, I was a little nervous nervous seeing all the people in the crowd. Everywhere I looked, I saw somebody I knew," said Jackman, as members of the local media gathered. gathered. "After die first few shifts, it got a little easier and I played my regular regular game. I was a little tired, but that's no excuse." Fatigue is understandable. Guelph were playing their third game in as many nights, after winning winning in Ottawa 4-2 on Friday night, and slipping past Belleville 54 in overtime on Saturday night. The weekend road trip ended with a 6-5 loss to Oshawa. Drafted in the 10th round, 154th overall, at the OHL midget draft held in Belleville back in the spring, Jackman is slowly making the necessary necessary transition for a first year "Coming back, I was a little nervous seeing all the people in the crowd. Everywhere I looked, I saw somebody I knew. " -Jason Jackman player in the league. At this level, players arc much bigger, stronger, and faster than he is accustomed to. But in only 22 games, he has adapted adapted well. Initially on the fourth line, he spent much of the game poised on the bench, sitting, watching and learning. All the while, it was promised promised that if he continued to show a strong work ethic, more ice time would come his way. Eventually it did. In a relatively short period of time, he has moved up to a regular shift on the third line. "The coach (Craig Hartsburg) came to me one day and told me to keep doing what I was doing on the ice." So far, the increased ice time has translated into three goals - one a game winner - and six assists in his rookie campaign. Not the type of big numbers that he was accustomed to putting up year after year during his minor hockey days. But Guelph aren't looking for a lot of offensive production from Jackman. He made the team for two reasons, reasons, says coach Craig Hartsburg. In assessing rookies at training camp, skill, and then heart, are the most sought after qualities. "Jason Jackman has both," complimented complimented Hartsburg. "He competes hard every night. He has skill that eventually, as his career goes on, he can be a première player in this league." Some would even go as far as to say that, as a 10th round pick, Jack- man was a steal in the draft His coach last year with the Oshawa Le- gionaires of the Memo Junior League, Gil Hughes, is one of those who is convinced. "No question he was a steal, and he's proving it now. He was an absolute absolute steal," said Hughes, who is now a scout for the Oshawa Generals. Generals. Jackman spent last season with the Legionaircs, after playing minor hockey for the Bowmanvillc Toros, and one season with Central Ontario 'AAA' Wolves. "...eventually, as his career goes on, he can be a première player in this league." -coach Craig Hartsburg In his only season with the Lc- gionaires, he was selected to play in the annual rookie all-star game that the league holds to showcase its young talent. "He started off slowly, but when I put him between two veterans, after after two or three weeks, he came on and really took off. By the end of the year, he was a good, solid hockey hockey player." recalled Hughes. "He was a real nice kid who did exactly what he was told." Following the draft, Jackman spent much of the summer working hard in an attempt to make Guelph's roster. All of the hard work paid off. "He came and played well in training camp and earned a spot," said Hartsburg. "He deserves to be here, and as the season has gone on, he has gradually moved up in our lineup." Hartsburg and Hughes concur that the strengths of the Bowman- ville resident are his ability to see the ice, and move the puck quickly. "He battles hard for a little guy, j.and defensively he is very responsible"' responsible"' added Hartsburg. Quickness and hockey smarts arc important for small forwards in the OHL. "Because of my size, I don't have enough strength to outman 6'4", 250 pound guys," acknowledged acknowledged Jackman. Guelph is a much-improved hockey club from a year ago when they finished with a record just above .500. After opening the playoffs by beating London, they were swept in the following round by the Sault. Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Greyhounds. In the off-season, the team made changes, both on the ice and behind the bench. Hartsburg, 34, was hired after spending 15 years .in the NHL as both a player and assistant coach. A series of injuries 'ended his playing career in 1989 after 10 years as an all-star defenceman with the Minnesota North Stars. After his retirement, retirement, he stayed with the North Stars as an assistant coach before moving to the Philadelphia Flyers, were he served as an assistant there for four years. Much was made of the quick start Hartsburg got Guelph off too. But with a record now of 17-7, skeptics can no longer credit the success to the start. This is a good hockey team. "If we pay the price to win, then we'll win our share. At times we cheat ourselves, and when we do that, we aren't very good," admits Hartsburg. The fact that Jeff O'Neill, the number one draft pick of the Hartford Hartford Whalers, relumed to Guelph after after failing to sing a pro contract, helped the team as well. "We've got a lot of guys back who were drafted in the high rounds of the NHL, which has helped us out," agreed Jackman. Sunday's visit to Oshawa was the only one that Guelph will make this year, which is rather unfortunate for local fans who may have been unable unable to attend. IN ACTION 7- In 23 games this year, Jason has three goals and three assists, helping his team to a 17-6 record. Guelph is in second place in the Central Division of the OHL, behind Sudbury. THE RETURN - Bowmanvillc minor hockey product, Jason Jackman, made his debut in front of hometown supporters on Sunday night at the Civic Auditorium in Oshawa, as his Guelph Storm visited the Generals. In his rookie season, Jason has established himself as a solid player and he has been rewarded rewarded with an increase in icetime. MacPherson Optical Ousted in Semis On Wednesday, the boys entertained entertained Ajax at Darlington and came away with a 6-1 victory. The win ignited ignited a strong showing at the four-day Pickering tournament. Scoring in the Ajax game was handled handled by Darren Kelly and Robbie Campbell with two apiece. Brett McKee (lg, la), and Scan LcFort (lg), also scored. Assists went to Hatfield Hatfield and Barraball with two each, and one apiece to Bonin, McDaniel and Bryant. The first day of the tournament had us matched with Scarborough Stallions, Stallions, a good, quick team. The Toros drew first blood in the first period on a Brett McKee goal. Scarborough got the only goal in the second. Garrett McKnighl gave Bowmanvillc Bowmanvillc a lead in the third period, and it looked as though it would hold up, but unfortunately it did not. Scarborough pulled their goalie in the last minute and a half and scored with 24 seconds left to salvage a 2-2 tic. Both goalies played superbly, making big stops whenever called upon. Assists went to Bonin, Cowan, LcFort, LcFort, and Bryant. Brett McKee was the game MVP. Game two of the tournament was against Ajax. It ended 8-3 for Bowmanvillc. Bowmanvillc. Scoring was by Brett McKee (3g), Darren Kelly (2g), with singles going to Trevor Cowan, Mark Bonin and Craig Barraball. Assists wen to Bonin (4a), Cowan (3a), McDaniel (2a), Barraball, Campbell and Appleton with one apiece, The MVP was Mark Bonin. After having Friday off, we were back at it Saturday, playing Etobicoke, Etobicoke, and needing a win to advance, It was a fast and exciting game, with Bowmanvillc holding a 2-1 lead after one neriod. Thanks to Jamie Bryant and Darren Kelly, Craig Barraball Barraball sealed Etobicoke's fate with another another goal in the second for a 3-1 victory. victory. Barraball was named MVP, Assists went to McKnighl, LcFort, Barraball, McDaniel, and Kelly. We ended up first overall In points with 12 out of a possible 15. There was a shootout event in the afternoon, matching one shooter and a goalie from each team. Our combination combination of Brett McKee as the shooter and Joey Mallette in goal prevailed. The semi-finals matched the Toros against Pickering. The boys thought the game would be a walk in the park and were they wrong. Pickering con trolled the game from start to finish, winning 4-3. Scoring for the Toros were Trevor Cowan, Darren Kelly and Brett McKee. Assists went to Bonin, McKee and Campbell. Campbell claimed the MVP. Don't feel bad, boys. The parents were convinced you would win, too. Next time! Easy 7-1 Win for Optimist Club On Sunday, November 27, the Bowmanvillc Optimist Club selects travelled to Scarborough and came home with a 7-1 victory. The locals were thinking offence from the opening faccoff and outshot the hometown Cedar Hill tykes 35-5. The selects got three-goal performances performances from Jordan Gross and Chris Boyce, with Alex Henderson adding a single to round out the scoring. Assists went to Ian Garrison (2), Daniel Mariette, Tyler Ferguson, and Kevin Smith. This victory makes it three in a row and was especially pleasing to the coaches as they arc stressing fun and teamwork. This game featured both. Nice to see the boys looking to make a pass and always ready to help a teammate. Good goaltcnding and solid defence defence made the forwards' jobs much easier. Next game is a home game in Grafton on Saturday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m. against Trenton. ! ^jp on deductible of most windshield [; 1 insurance claims plus... if One FREE ' i Christmas Turkey ! 1$ 00 ETCffiE) Auto GIq// B0WUANVILLE 623-4225 19 SILVER ST. es! We do Glass Tintin OSHAWA NORTH 571-7852 Taunton and Wilson OSHAWA SOUTH 571-7852 Bloor and Park Rd. WHITBY UXBRIDGE © Storm Door Shopping? NEWCASTLE/BOWMANVILLE AMALGAMATION INFORMATION MEETING The Newcastle Village Minor Hockey association would like to invite its membership to an information meeting on Sunday Dec. 4/94. The meeting will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Hall at 1:30 FM. Dwight Searle, President of the NVMHA will present a plan to amalgamate the Bowmanville Minor Hockey Association OMHA teams with the Newcastle Village Minor Hockey Association OMHA teams to create one OMHA Centre. A vote on this issue will be held following the meeting. Please plan to attend, for further information contact; Dwight Searle from the NVMHA at 786-2479 or Paul Jackman from the BMHA at 623-9538.