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PAGE 14 THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, MAY 9,2001 Gens get bigger, faster and better at OHL draft Top pick Nathan Horton led his Jr. B team in scoring during the playoffs BY BRIAN LEGREE / Staff Editor OS1IAWA - The Ontario Hockey League draft has delivered delivered "the complete package" package" to the Oshawa Generals. Selecting' second overall, the Generals grabbed Nathan Horton, a 6-foot-3, 195- pound centre with, remarkably, remarkably, three years of Junior.B experience under his belt. The Mississauga IccDogs grabbed Patrick O'Sullivan of the U.S. under-17 team with the first pick overall. George Burnett, Oshawa's coach and general manager, says Horton brings a combination combination of skill, strength and skating to the rink. Horton, who started playing playing Junior B as a 13-year-old, led his Thorold team to the Ontario finals this season, turning in a dominating postseason postseason performance. "He's considered probably one of the best skaters in the draft," says Burnett. "He's strong, physical and loves to battle." Horton, who doesn't turn 16 until May 29, showed his playoff mettle by leading his Thorold team in scoring. After posting 16-31-47 numbers in 45 regular season games, Horton scored an eye- popping 23 goals in 25 playoff playoff games, adding 15 assists ; for 38 points, as his team "reached the Sutherland Cup final','-losing to_Elmira in six games. \ Horton also, gets involved in the physical side of the GEORGE BURNETT 'We've added size, tremendous skill and speed.' game. In 70 regular season and playoff games, he accumulated accumulated 135 penalty minutes. "He wants to be a General, he's an honest, hard-working, sincere kid who wants to be a pro," says Burnett. In the second round, the Generals selected Josh Manning, Manning, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound defenceman from Mount Pearl, Nfld. "He's the most ready-to- play defenceman in the draft," says Burnett. Manning turns 17 in June and Burnett says he wasn't drafted last year because he played in Newfoundland. Manning spent last season with the Wellington Dukes of the Provincial Junior A Hockey Hockey League. In 55 regular season and playoff games, Manning had 1-8-9 totals, with 48 penalty minutes. Oshawa's third pick, was Garett Vassel, a centre who played Junior B with the New ybrk Bobcats last season. ; In 30 games, Vassel had 16-14-30 numbers, along with 26 penalty minutes. "The kid possesses good size, skating and skills," says Burnett of the 6 : foot-l, 195- pound centre. - Burnett , says Vassel was one of the "premier" players at last week's camp for OHL prospects. The Generals had an additional additional pick in the third round of the draft and used it to select select Chris Hulit, a 6-foot-l, 170-pound centre from Sault Stc. Marie. " - "It's hard to fathom he was available," says Burnett, noting noting Hulit's a sniper who had 33 goals in 34 games with the Sault Stc. Marie bantams. Four players selected Saturday Saturday are eligible to play for the Generals this season. The first two players selected selected who were born in 1985 - Horton and Vassel - along with players selected who were born in 1984 - Manning and Steve White (a 12th round pick from the Rayside- Balfour midgets) are eligible. The rest aren't eligible to play for the Generals until the 2002-2003 season. All told the Generals selected selected 16 players - 10 forwards, forwards, four defencemen and two goalies. Nine of their 16 picks are six feet or taller, including their first four picks. "We're very pleased top to bottom," says Burnett. "We've added size, tremendous tremendous skill and speed." All players selected Saturday Saturday will be on hand for Oshawa's Oshawa's spring camp, which will be held Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13 at North Oshawa Arena. The Generals will hold on- ice sessions at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. both days. The sessions are open to the public and are free. BY BRIAN McNAIR Staff Writer DURHÀM - Oshawa's Ryan Rorabeck. topped an impressive" list. of . local players drafted by-Ontario Hockey League clubs 'Sat- urday. In the first OHL draft where players were selected selected via the Internet, Rorabeck was chosen in the first round, 16th overall, overall, by the Toronto St. Michael's Majors. The 6-foot, 150-pound centre had 28 goals and 38 assists in 44 games with the Oshawa Carlo's Electric Electric bantam hockey team this past season. "We feel there's a spot on our team for a good, young centreman and he fits the bill," says Dave Cameron, head coach and director of hockey operations operations for St. Mike's. "He's a complete player. He's going to have to work on his size and the physical aspect." The Majors, who already already have Whitby's Steve Farquharson and Bow- manville's Tyler Cook on their roster, bolstered the Durham Region content by selecting Orono's Tyson Gimblett of the Cobourg Cougars in the second round and Michael Alex- iou and Brett Mc- Connachie of the Ajax- Pickcring bantams in the third and fourth rounds respectively. respectively. Noel Coullice, another Ajax-Pickcring bantam, joined Rorabeck as a first- round choice, going 20th overall to the Erie Otters. Another four locals went in the second round, Jeff Larsh of the Claring- ton bantams 23rd to the Sault Ste, Marie Greyhounds, Greyhounds, Mall Christie of the Pickering Panthers ■ 33rd to the. Guelph Storm, Gimblett 36th to- the ^Majors ^Majors and Trevor Barton of the Uxbridge,Bruins 38th to the Belleville Bulls. Warren Cooper, a teammate teammate of Barton with the • Central Ontario Junior C champion Bruins, went .to the Mississauga IceDogs with the first, pick of the third round. ' • U , Also in the third round, Oshawa bantam . Rya'n-v Kitchen went to Sault Ste. Marie, Whitby bantam Greg Williams to the Peterborough Peterborough Petes, and Jesse Gimblett, Tyson's twin brother and teammate with the Cougars, to the Owen Sound Attack. Ajax-Pickering goalie Sean O'Sullivan was drafted drafted in the seventh round by the Kitchener Rangers. Two more Whitby bantams bantams went in the eighth round, Jesse Jenish to the North Bay Centennials and Kyle Musselman to the Sudbury Wolves. Two members of the Central Ontario Wolves were drafted, John Soames in the seventh round by Sarnia and Jason Kennedy in the ninth round by Barrie. Barrie. The Oshawa Generals finally dipped into the Durham Region talent pool in the 10th round, selecting selecting left wing Brandon Franey from Ajax-Pickcring. Ajax-Pickcring. After Sudbury drafted Kyle Martiniuk in the 12th round and Erie selected Chad Glode in the 13th round, seven players from the Ajax-Pickcring bantam squad had found homes. Colin Baker of the Bowmanville Eagles rounded out the list of local players drafted when went in the 15th and final round to the'Sarnia Sting. To have your livers delivered by Durham's #1 Carrier Force! Call 579-4407 Wednesday, May 9,2001 Reitmans* Your Good Health* Future Shop* McGregor IDA* Millwork* Party Giant* Rekkers* Penningtons* Dr. Gold* Sears* Orono Lumber* Mills Appliance* * Flyer nul necessarily In all papers Remember, all inscris, including lliosc on glosss paper, ean he recycled vs ith Ihe rest ol your newspaper through your blue box Recycling program. "Hey ■ did you slart on that lilgli-fibrc dlcl yd ?" Port Hope Festival Theatre Presents Whistle a** Stop An Award Winning Play by Canadian author Gordon Portman. A warmhearted gem of a play about finding "that special person" when and where you least expect it. May 10th - 19th • Tickets $18 - $22 B TEXTRON Bank of Montreal ÉtCflPITOL BOX OFFICK 2(1 yi IK\ S I . POR I HOPE 1-800-434-5092 W\\ W.CAPITOl THKATRK.COM CanaDian Statesman and Clarington ; This Week ! 905- 623- 6161 Kingchurch Nissan 1 -800-565-6365 Ajax, Ontario 905-686-0555 1996 Camaro 3.8L V6, Air, Auto, AM/FM CD, Tilt, Cruise, Alloys 96,000kms 1995 Jeep Cherokee Loaded, Air, Cruise, Tilt, Windows, Locks 89,000kms 2000 Nissan Xterra Automatic, Air, Cruise, Tilt Includes 3 year 60,000km warranty 108 kms 1995 Volkswagen Cabriolet Manual Transmission, Alloys, Power Windows, Locks, , Air Conditioning After Hours Please Call Tom Carette at 905-706-2720 FROM PAGE 22 ■ b ) ) In Memorlam In Memorlam In Memorlam In Memorlam Lawrence Wright March 21,1984 - May 14,2000 "At peace" Don't grieve for me, for now I mil free; I'm following the Path of Gori laidfor me. I took his Imml when I heard him coll; I closed mi/ eyes and left il all. I could no) stay another day; To laugh, to love, to work dr /day. Tasks left undone must stay that way; I found that special day. if my parting had left a void, Then fill II with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss; All yes, these things, I too will miss. He not burdened with times of sorrow; I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savoured much; Good friend's, good times, a loved one's touch Perhaps my time seemed too brief; Don 'I lengthen il now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share me; God wanted me, now he set me free. Too dearly loved to ever be forgotten, Mow, Dad & Betty; Carrol, Ron & family; Doris, Murray & family « Lane; Russell Frederick « * . ¥ * ¥ ■ V . V . v In luring memory of our dear brother Who passed airay May, I3lh 1994 He is gone but never forgotten how fast the years go by the Good Lord took hint to his place of rest all to soon he tuas the best. He tuas always there for us to count on his loss toe will always regret his memory is as dear today as in the hour he passed away. Sadly missed and always remembered by Gary, Jeanette, Beverley and families. Remember your ^ departed loved ones with a special Cards of Thanks Cards of Thanks « BRADD « A'Special Thank You to all who have helped Floyd and me throughout his illness and recent death. I loill never forget your kindness. Pat Bradd M 6 The family of the laic . John DouglasTaylor "Mouse" Dec. 17, 1949 - April 3,2001 During n lime like Ibis we learn how much our friends and family really menu to us. Your expressions of sympathy will always he treasured. Perhaps you seal a lovely curd or sal quietly in a chair. Perhaps you sent a funeral spray if so we saw it there. Perhaps you spoke Ihe kindest words, ns any friend could say. Perhaps you were not there at all, just thought if us 'to-day. Whatever yon did In console our hearts, we thank you so much whatever part. Sincerely, The Tm/larfunilu Sunday, May 13 Deadline: Wednesday, May 9 OSHAWA • WHITBY • CLARINGTON • TORT TERRY THIS WEEK