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1 PAGE 14 THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, OCTOBER 23, 2002 www.durhamrcgion.com Rookie improving status as prospect with Eagles Jason Speight second ill team scoring with 10-8-18 totals in 14 games BY BRAD KELLY Staff Writer COURTICE - Heading into training training camp with the Bowmanville Eagles, Eagles, Jason Speight carried two labels with him. For one, he was a rookie, and secondly, secondly, a prospect. So far in the early going, he has all but shed the rookie label, looking like a poised veteran on the ice with his regular contributions to the offence. The prospect label is still there, which is a good thing in hockey circles. circles. As an 11th round draft pick of the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters Otters back in the spring, his stock has improved as he tries to move up.their depth chart. Averaging more than a point per game with 10-8-18 totals in 14 .games, his offensive numbers'would indicate he is ready to take the next step up the hockey ladder. Now it's the rest of his game that needs to be .improved before moving on. "The little things are what separate , the good Tier II players and the ones j who are able to make the step up to ( the OHL," says coach Curtis Hod- ' gins, who speaks from experience ■ after spending two seasons as an assistant assistant with the Oshawa Generals. Jason Speight: "You have to keep working hard and earn your ice time." "Jason's got the skill, but he has to learn the rest of the game and he's working hard at that." Becoming more "mentally focused" focused" and gaining some strength are a couple of areas Speight lists as needing improvement. There is also the aspect of proving his quick start isn't a fluke, and that he can maintain his offensive numbers, just like he did graduating through the Bowmanville Toros minor hockey system. "There's a lot of pressure that goes with (scoring), but you have to keep working hard and earn your ice time." The off-season was a whirlwind of activity for the 16-year-old Courticc resident. In addition to the OHL draft, he attended training camps for the under-17 provincial team, advancing all the way through to the final evaluation. evaluation. He is still awaiting word on final team selections. With those credentials, a little more was expected of him this season in the Provincial Junior A Hockey League. So far, he hasn't disappointed. disappointed. "To this point, he has exceeded our , expectations," says Hodgins. "We want him to be one of our key players by the end of the year." Along with his draft status and tryouts tryouts with the provincial team, Speight also carries the burden of being a local product. While admitting it's nice to play close to home, the Grade 11 student at Courtice Secondary School tries to block out the fact that a number of family and friends are watching his every move at home games. "I try not to think about it and just stay focused," he says. THE SCOOP - The Eagles grabbed just one of a possible four points over the weekend, settling for a 3-3 tie in Lindsay Friday, while losing losing to Kingston 7-3 at home Sunday. Brad Dormcidy, Tyler Brown and Nick Stacey scored Friday, with Brown, Dormcidy and Colin Holmes scoring Sunday...The weekend weekend leaves the Eagles with a 6-5-3-0 mark...The Port Hope Predators visit the Eagles tonight (Wednesday) at 7:30 p.m. Ge Sh°ppiNf! for MALLOWEEN ay. October 26 11 a.m - 4 p.m Kid's fingerprinting and Halloween safety by Durham Police Volunteers. 1 1 . 30 a.m. Kid's Halloween show: the famous "Coadster" 12:15 p.m. Come in costume for the parade and Trick or Treats at ! participating stores. p.m - 3 p.m. Outback Ciogger dance Atom Stars win four of five games NEWCASTLE - The Newcastle Stars are off to a strong start in atom play, winning four of their first five games. In a 5-0 victory over Woodville, Jamie Durant collected his first shutout of the season and Joshua Bennett Bennett scored three limes. Jarod Hollister had a pair of goals, with assists to Conner Charlebois (2), Cameron Saxby (2), Joel Rickard (2), Alyssa Orr, Connor McLean and Chris Famell. The Stars lost 5-3 to Orono with Randy Clugston, Charlebois and Hollister scoring. Charlebois, McLean and Bennett had assists. In a lopsided 9-0 win over Ops, Durant collected the shutout. Clugston scored twice with one each to Tyler Duquette, Cody Jackson, Famell, Rickard, Saxby, Orr and Bennett. Assists were earned by Hollister (3), Shayne Nicholson, Rickard, McLean and Charlebois. A 4-1 victory over Man- vers featured goals by Jack- son, Clugston, Duquette and Bennett. Charlebois and McLean, Saxby, Orr and Clugston earned two assists Clugston scoring one each, each'. Brandon Durst made a Assists went to Charlebois solid contribution on defence. (2), Rickard (2), Saxby (2), A rematch against Ops re- Clugston, Famell and Hollis- suited in a 7-1 victory. Hollis- ter. Derek Owen played a ter scored three limes with strong game. points Where $ft2ppiNf keeps getting better! 70 îi m. h fcw,et teMing MP BouCloir !kzt///jl V/4 m tk r m h l/rjil IV/jrt M'/r In !(j'j'i. 7 {, rn 7;t IVj"i •, >, «• '.j Hr//i «, tt if/.otvJ !N; '/fjtlOTd vvffKi# •A kjuffk/. % kr-Af. 'aw un 7V, 4V, HY\ FAX sports stories to 905X79-1809 Minor atom Toros double Pickering CLARINGTON - A pair of goals by Tyler Gan- • hao paced the Clarington Play It Again Sports Toros : to a 4-2 win over Pickering in minor atom A hockey jpiay. Spencer Moore and Matt France had the other goals with assists to Zacli Young (2), Adam Rice,and Moore. Scott Williams was strong in the Clarington goal. 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