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www.durhamrerjion.com Œljc Cmmbtaii Statesman THE CANADIAN STATESMAN. AUGUST 20, 2003 PAGE 13 Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 August 20,2003 infodurham .com ! 1 I i ! i i 'We are very committed to Clarington': owner Bowmanville Eagles owner says hockey club staying put, but needs support BY BRAD KELLY Staff Writer BOWMANVILLE - The Bowmanville Eagles are staying right where they are. and that applies to a couple of different issues surrounding the team. During the off-season, the Provincial Junior A Hockey League team expressed an interest interest in shifting divisions, and hinted at the possibility the team could change location, with Whitby a possible destination. destination. At least for this season, neither move will transpire. As for the desire to move from the Eastern Conference to the South, the intent was to establish establish natural geographic rivalries rivalries with Durham Region teams in Oshawa. Pickering and Ajax, as well as cut down on increasing increasing travel expenses. Regular- season trips to Syracuse, Kingston, Trenton and Bancroft eat up much of the budget. A move to the South Conference would significantly decrease that expenditure, with most of the teams in the eastern Toronto region. "Wç asked the (league's). Boaixjl of Governors about a move, to the South (Conference);1 (Conference); 1 but they aren't entertaining' entertaining' any of those ideas. There won't be any realignment for this year, but it's something we will ; pursue on a yearly basis," said'team president Terry Lynch durjng a press conference to unveil unveil a new logo to celebrate the team's 35th anniversary. Addressing the- issue of moving the learn out of Bowmanville, Bowmanville, something co-owner Peter Neal said was being considered considered during an interview at the conclusion of last season, co-owner Scott Mackie said it was "never the intent of the hockey club to convey that mes- RON PIETRONIRO/ Statesman photo Bowmanville Eagles president Terry Lynch (left) gets a little help from Clarington Mayor John Mutton as the hockey club unveiled a new logo that will help celebrate the team's 35th anniversary. sage" to the fans. "The team has obviously been anchored in the community community for many years, but this being a business, we need the regular support of the community, businesses businesses and people. We need to make sure this- is -a reasonable business venture," Mackie continued. continued. "We are very committed to Clarington. We invested in this team and we believe it's a great community to play hockey in. "We are looking for on-ice improvements and looking ahead to a successful season and hoping to improve year after year. Peter and I are looking looking forward to a successful team." The new logo the team unveiled unveiled will be worn on away jerseys, jerseys, with hometown fans getting getting the opportunity to see it during the home opener and during three afternoon games that coincide with Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, the Grey Cup and Super Bowl, pending approval of the visiting team. "We fell the need to be more modern," says Lynch of the new logo that features a menacing- looking eagle with his claws carrying the name Bowmanville. Bowmanville. "We didn't want to lose the Eagle traditional name and colours, but we felt it was time for a change." "When I take a look at the new logo, the first tiling I notice is that the claws are dug in to Bowmanville. which tells me the Eagles intend to be an important important part of our community." said Clarington Mayor John Mutton, whose name was emblazoned emblazoned on the back of on one of the new jerseys that was presented presented to him. The new logo will appear on caps and pucks available to be purchased at home games, with Catalogue orders being accepted for larger T-shirt, golf shin and sweater items. THE SCOOP - The Eagles open the pre-season with a game Friday night, hosting the Cobourg Cougars at 7:10 p.m. at the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Recreation Complex. The team will travel to Port Hope Saturday, and then host the Predators in a return matchup Sunday in Bow manville at 6:30 p.m.... Derek Lyndon, a Pickering resident signed late last season from the Uxbridge Bruins, has been traded traded to the Pickering Panthers in a cash transaction. Lyndon scored once and had two assists in 14 games last season. It's Open for Gillespie, Local golfers added to field at Canadian Open DURHAM - It's crunch time for Durham Region's top two golfers. Oshawa's Derek Gillespie and Brooklin's Jon Mills will head into the final event of the Canadian Tour season this weekend buoyed by the knowledge knowledge they have been invited to the PGA's Bell Canadian Open again. Gillespie lias been to the event two years, in a row and made the cut both times, finishing finishing as the top Canadian in 2001. Mills missed the cut in his first attempt last year. This year's Canadian Open is scheduled for Sept. 1-7 at the Derek Gillespie: Made cut belli times at Canadian Open. Hamilton Golf and Country Club and boasts 12 Canadians, including Masters Champion Mike Weir. Jon Mills: Will be making his second start at the Canadian Open. "We are delighted to have such a strong field of Canadians competing at this year's Bell Canadian Open," said Bill Paul of the Royal Canadian Golf Association. Association. "These players are looking forward to competing at our national championship and 1 know they will be favourites with the fans." Before heading to Hamilton, the two 25-year-old Durham products will close out the Canadian Tour season in Michigan Michigan litis week at the Bay Mills Open Players Championship. Gillespie finished in a three- way tie for second place this past weekend at the Lewis Chitcngwa Memorial Championship, Championship, earning $10,200 and moving into third place on the Order of Merit. If he finishes in the top two, he will earn an exemption exemption into the second stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School. Gillespie, who finished in third place last season, has Mills made $45,460 on the tour this season and trails only Rob Johnson ($50,850) and Mark Johnson ($47,451). Mills, who sits ninth with $32.761, could also move into the top two if he were to win. A media circus is expected in Bay Mills. Not only will the season-ending event see the strongest starting field of the season, but American amateur phenom Michelle Wie will also play on a Golf Channel exemption. exemption. Gillespie's rounds of 67-67- 70-69 left him five strokes hack of winner Nick Watney last weekend. Oshawa's Kevin Jones (69- 70-71-72) finished tied for 23rd, Mills (74-69-68-75) lied for 43nl and Whitby's Eddie Maunder (72-71-77-74) tied for 66th. Brian McNair Sta ff Writer hmaniirut (iuvhamrca itm.com Berti an unknown commodity for Oshawa Generals There could be a lot riding on the broad shoulders of Adam Berti this hockey season. season. But will his knees hold out? That is the burning question for both Berti and coach George Burnett as the Oshawa Generals ready themselves for the beginning of training camp next Tuesday. Berti. you may recall, made a nice early impression in his rookie season in the Ontario Hockey League a year ago, but he was forced to shut it down after only 15 games with a leg injury that ultimately led to sui'gery on both knees. As Burnett's first round pick, sixtli overall, in the 2002 draft. Berti would normally be counted on in a big way during his sophomore campaign. And, make no mistake, Burnett could dearly use an impact player up front this season season after losing Jamie Johnson. Johnson. Brandon Nolan, Ahren Nittel. Colt King and quite possibly Nathan Horton if he can stick in the NHL. So. is the 17-year-old Oshawa Oshawa native ready to step up and help fill the void? "It would be nice to be a key player." says Berti. a left Wing who posted 3-3-6 numbers numbers and had 12 penalty minutes minutes in his 15 games. "Right now. my goal is just to play. It depends on what it feels like in game situations. because it's been a long time since I've been in one." If he sounds a tad tentative, one could hardly blame him. He's been through an ordeal that would test the confidence of any young man. even one standing 6-foot-3 and weighing weighing 215 pounds. A genetic problem in both knees, the injury became evident evident first in his right knee early last season. He had major surgery and cartilage implants on the right knee last December, spent six weeks on crutches and then had minor sui'gery on the other knee in March. "It's pretty tough," Berti admits. admits. "It's hard to build the strength back up." It's not for a lack of trying. After weeks of physiotherapy and light weight training. Berti is now testing the legs.with heavy weights. He started skating two months ago, but says he won't be sure how the knees are responding until he gets a little more serious beginning beginning next week. Burnett will be among the more curious observers. "He's worked his tail off to get hack. When you miss that much time, there's always going to he that tentativeness," Burnett says. "1 think we have to he careful that we don't expect expect too much too early and yet we're hoping he'll be a top-six forward for ns." Knees willing, there's little doubt that he will be. Fellows makes it three in a row at Mosport BOWMANVILLE - Local favourite Ron Follows won for the third straight year at his home track during Sunday's American Le Mans Series Toronto Grand Prix at Mosport International International Raceway, but gave most of the credit to his crew and co-driver. Fellows, of Mississauga, ami co-driver co-driver Johnny O'Connell won the GTS class in a Chevrolet Corvette C5-R. O'Connell drove the final stint, holding off the Ferrari 550 of Peter Kox and Tomas linge over the last three laps and finishing a ear length ahead for the class win. The team had gone from third to first during a sequence of pit slops under a full-course caution period. period. "Hals off to the crew because we won that race in the pits," said Fellows. "We were close, very equal with the Ferrari, but traffic seemed to be in their favour. We couldn't catch a break in traffic. "Bill track position wins the race, and the crew gave us that on the final pit slop, My buddy (O' Connell) was doing his job. Winning at your home track seems to be lough, and this one is fantastic." "This is Ron Fellows territory and we needed to win," said O'Connell. "The last couple of laps, I hail no tires left. Credit to Peter Kox for being a professional out there and racing me clean. German drivers Frank Biela and Marco Werner survived an on-track collision and attrition to score their third overall win in five ALMS races this year, and extended their lead in the LMP 900 class standings. The car was damaged during Biela's stint behind the wheel when the rear was contacted by another ear during a caution period. The car was not significantly significantly slowed and the team was able to effect repairs on the next pit stop. "It definitely was not easy." said Biela. "There were many other cars that were fast and this is a difficult track. My teammate (Werner) did a brilliant job and brought the ear home. I'm very pleased to have him with me." Many challengers fell by the way- side. including the polesitting Lola- MG of James Weaver and Butch Leitzinger, which led early hut lost laps due to an alternator problem. Another early leader, the Audi of .1.1 l.chto and Johnny I lerbert. was damaged in a collision collision with a lapped car while Herbert was battling Werner for the lead late in the two-hour. 45-minute race. Andy Wallace and Chris Dyson finished finished second overall, two laps down, and won the LMP 675 class in a Lola- MG, while Scott Maxwell of Toronto and Gunnnr Jeannette finished third in a Pnuoz I.MPOI. .lorg Bergmcisler and Timo Bern- hard won the (ITclass in a Porsche 911 (IT3 RS by a lap over the Ferrari 360 of Rail' Kelleners and Anthony Lazzaro. Lazzaro.