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www.durhamrcgion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, SEPTEMBER 3,2003 PAGE 13 Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 Eljc Canadian Statesman September 3,2003 infodurhamregioi.com Whelan wearing 'C Overage forward Tobias Whelan named captain of Oshawa Generals There's good reason the Oshawa Generals named their captain well in advance of the Ontario Hockey League season. season. It was a no-brainer. Tobias Whelan was sporting sporting the 'C' during the Generals' Generals' Labour Day exhibition lilt against the Brampton Battalion, Battalion, marking the first time in George Burnett's tenure in Oshawa that a captain was named prior to the start of the regular season. "He's the hardest working guy that we've seen here in the three years that I've been involved," says Burnett, the team's coach and general manager. "I think it was a very easy choice for us to make and 1 think he'll do a wonderful job with it." Whelan has earned his stripes. A fourth round pick of Burnett's out of Junior C in 2000, the Orillia native has willingly filled any role needed needed and worked his way to the top of the Generals' depth Brian McNair Staff Writer 'Jurlunnivginn.com chart. He has been a responsible defensive player since Day I, is one of the best shot-block- ers in the league and has improved improved steadily on offence over the past three seasons. One of two overagers - defenceman defenceman Fred Hatziioannou the other - currently on the roster, Whelan looks forward to the opportunity of serving as captain. "Obviously it means a lot," he said after Monday's game, a 3-3 tic. "This organization has been around for a long time and there's been some great captains. I'm glad to see the coaching staff has put a lot , of faith and responsibility on my shoulders. Hopefully I can handle it." There's little doubt in Burnett's Burnett's mind he will. "He's put himself in great shape and wants to be a big part of our club," says Burnett. Burnett. "He's the kind of guy who's soft-spoken, but when he has something to say, everybody's listening. He's not a leader who's going to get in your face, but lie's probably willing to for the good of our team." Although he should be an excellent leader, Whelan isn't your prototypical first line centre. Sure, he looked good in that role playing with Ryan Kitchen and Adam Berti on Monday and, yes, his point totals totals have steadily climbed over the past three seasons (from eight to 26 to 39), but he seems more suited to a second second line role. Whelan could be bumped to the second line if Nathan Horton returns or if Burnett adds a scorer as his third overage overage r. Until he is told otherwise, however, he is characteristically characteristically up to the challenge of being the main man in the middle. "I definitely have to step it up this year," says Whelan. "There are big holes that need to be filled and 1 need to be one of those guys that really produces this year and at the same time continue my defensive defensive game. Hopefully I can just grow as a player into a more all-round player." He's provided no reason to date to believe otherwise. Gens solid in weekend debut BY BRIAN McNAIR Staff Writer OSHAWA - A combination of good and bad circumstances have left the Oshawa Generals with a set roster for the time being. Although 26 names survived the cuts prior to the first OHL exhibition action on the weekend weekend - a 6-4 win in Kitchener Sunday and a 3-3 tie at home against Brampton Monday - coach and general manager George Burnett is planning no more moves for the short term. With forward Ben Eager, defenceman defenceman Paul Ranger and goalie Chris Beckford-Tseu off to NHL camps and injuries to Mike McLean (thumb fracture, four to six weeks), Mike Kavanagh Kavanagh (hamstring, day-to-day), Tyler Donati (groin, day-to-day) and Chris Petrow (undetermined, (undetermined, indefinite), Burnett will likely need all the bodies he can muster right up to the start of the regular season on Sept. 18. Among the positive signs Monday was the play of Adam Berti and Ryan Kitchen, two Oshawa natives who were teamed with new captain Tobias Whelan on the top line. Berti, the Generals' first- round pick in 2002 who missed most of his rookie season with a knee injury, was skating well and scored a goal. Kitchen, just acquired in a trade with Sault Ste. Marie, showed flashes of offensive brilliance brilliance and deserved more than the one assist he earned. Rookies Andy Reiss and Justin Donati also scored Monday. Monday. 1 On Sunday, backup goalie Ryan Gibb made 55 save's to lead the Generals to victory. Kavanagh and Evan Kot- sopoulos scored twice each, while Berti and Justin Donati added singles. The Generals are in Brampton Brampton tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. and host the Guelph Storm Sunday at 6:35 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium. Auditorium. CÜ E </) ôâAatcuz Stittyenb SQUIRT • NOVICE • GIRLS TRYOUTS FASTBALL INC. Squirt Girls 2 -4 p.m. Sat., Sept. 13-20/03 Squirt Girls 12-2 p.m. Sun., Sept. 28/03 Novice Girls 4-6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 13/20/03 2-4 p.m. Sun., Sept. 28/03 RADIO PARK ON GRENFELL ST., OSHAWA MURRAY OTIS (905) 576-5449 DENNIS OMELANCHUK (905)655-7758 CRHL Minor Midget (1988) Select Try-outs will be held on the following dates at the South Courtice Complex Pad A Thurs. Sept. 11 9:00 pm (2 hrs.) Fri. Sept. 12 9:00 pm (2 hrs.) Sat. Sept. 13 5:00 pm (2 hrs.) Sun. Sept. 14 5:00 pm (2 hrs.) Players must be registered with the CRHL prior to attending try-outs and the player must attend 3 of the 4 try-outs to be eligible for the team. Tty-out cost $7.00 per hour per player. Any questions call 905-623-3001 1401 PHILLIP MURRAY AVE. OSHAWA ONLY AT CANLAN ICE SPORTS ADULT HOCKEY LEAGUE t: uimuHiocuiiuM Begins September 20 • 25 Games Guaranteed Select your night (Monday to Sunday) and Skill Level (A,B,C,D, or Rec.) Ladies League on Friday Nights Compete for Facility, Provincial 1 National Championships 905-725-6951 PRE-SEASON CONDITIONING m 3 I NI n d sportc www.lcesports.com e-moll: oshowoeiceiporti.com Sept. 18 to 24 • 5 days • 2 hours per day Powerskating and High Tempo Drills REGISTER TODAY FOR OCTOBER SESSIONS Learn to Skate, Hockey Skill Development, Powerskating, Hockey Tips for Tots JASON LIEBREGTS/ Statesman photo Chasing down a win BOWMANVILLE - When Steve Seedhouse (10) of the Bowmanville Eagles wasn't chasing down Pickering's Michael Paul Rivest, he was contributing offensively with a pair of goals in a 7-1 win over the Panthers Sunday 1 night. Matt Caruana, Justin Caruana, James Neal, Adam Maccarone and Derek McGrath also scored for the Eagles Eagles in the Provincial Junior Hockey League exhibition game. 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