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11, 2006 ♦ durhamregion.com Same old, same old for Generals skater a real pro Brad Kelly It's not a museum, it's Total Hockey It started innocently enough during a phone conversation three years ago, and has grown into a 5,000 square foot facility facility adjacent to the Recreation Complex in Bowmanville that will tell the story of hockey. And in just a little over two weeks, local hockey fans will get to see what all the fuss is about. Sunday, Oct. 29 will be the grand opening of Total Hockey in Clarington, a celebration of the game's early beginnings beginnings as well as bringing fans to the heroics of present day teams and play- .. crs. "I was talking to Brian McFarlane about being a guest speaker for the Clarington Sports Hall of Fame," recalls . Skip Crosby, recreation co-ordinator for the municipality, of'a conversation back in early 2003. ; "Brian told me he was looking for a new home for his memorabilia, and I made the comment that if his negotiations negotiations broke down, to give me a call because Clarington is a real hotbed of hockey." , ■ As is turns out,. McFarlane served as the guest speaker that year for the inaugural inaugural induction ceremony of the Hall of Fame, and the relationship blossomed, resulting in striking a deal to house his artifacts. But the premise has gone way beyond ■r putting some nails in a wall, hanging ,v v up some old-photos and equipment, and ll purchasing some high wattage bulbs to show them off. .Total Hockey has been designed to tell the story of hockey, taking visitors through the early years as they travel through history, with each zone giving the fan a better understanding understanding of the evolution of the game. The one thing it isn't, stresses Crosby, is a museum. The thought conjures up old,- and Total Hockey is meant to be . leading edge. "This is going to be an interactive and educational experience," notes Crosby. "We are really building on the passion people have for hockey. It's going to tell the story of hockey, and the passion it ' instills in Canadians." Curator Kevin Shea has been part of the planning process for the day that will . begin inside at noon with an autograph session with Frank Mahovlich, Mike Palmateer, Red Kelly, Johnny Bower and Bobby Baun. An opening ceremony and banner raising will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Pad A at-the Recreation Complex, with a game featuring the Ontario champion champion Bowmanville Eagles team of 1978- 79 facing off against an NHL alumni^ team at .2 p.m. There will also be a number of NHL trophies, the Memorial Cup, Allan Cup and the Royal Bank Cup among others on display. Outside, there will be interactive stations stations set up, a barbecue, balloons and face painting for the kids. Fans interested in being first in line to tour Total Hockey can begin doing so at 2 p.m., with half price admission serving as motivation to stop by and take it all in. "We are really excited. We've spent a lot of time developing this concept," adds Crosby. Brad Kelly's column 1 appears every third - Wednesday. E-mail bkelly@durhamregion. com. Lynne Robson Lynne Robson . to be inducted into Clarington Sports Hall of Fame BY BRAD KELLY Sports Editor i CLARINGTON -- They say that over time, memories seem to fade. Not so with Lynne Robson. It Wasn't just yesterday, but it still seems like it, when she looks back 50 years ago, to a time when she travelled throughout North America with one of the top-rated ice shows as a professional professional figure skater. "I still can't believe the opportunity came along," she. says with a certain fondness. , Another memory will be created for the former Bowmanville resident on Saturday, Oct. 21, when she is inducted into the Clarington Sports Hall of Fame for her time spent with the famous Ship- stad and Johnson Ice Follies. This ,year's ceremony will mark the fourth for the Hall, with legendary legendary Hockey Night in Canada broadcaster broadcaster Dick Irvin serving as the guest speaker. ■ But the night will belong to the inductees, including Robson, who skated skated with the Oshawa, Orono and Bowmanville Bowmanville clubs, known by her maiden name of Lynne Bagnell in those days. "It was a different era. There weren't any competitions and we just took a lot of tests," she says of the skating programs available from 1950-56. "We skated under some pretty dire conditions conditions at the time, but that's all there was in those days. - "I loved all sports, but skating was my first love. It was something I always wanted to do." It was in February of 1956 that she attended her first ice show at Maple Leaf Gardens and was captivated by what she saw. Turning to her mother, Joan, she said emphatically,, "That's what I want to do." Missing an earlier audition in Toronto, Toronto, arrangements were made to return in the evening to perform by herself with only the "bosses and the rink rats" in the building, she says with a laugh. Evidently, they liked what they saw. Within two weeks she boarded a train to Boston to join the Shipstad^and Johnson show, at the age of 17. It was a contentious issue with her dad, Bill. "My dad said no, but my mom said yes," she says of a protective father who had reservations about sending his teenage daughter off to travel with a skating show. "My mom,missed out on an opportunity to sing with a, band when she was younger, so when the opportunity came up for me, she didn't Submitted photo Lynne Robson (Bagnell) toured with the Shipstad and Johnson Ice Follies skating show for three years from 1956- 59, performing at all of the most famous arenas throughout North America. She will be inducted into the Clarington Clarington Sports Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony planned for Saturday, Oct. 21. x want me to miss out." She didn't, touring Canada and the United Stales from 1956-59 with the show. ' At the time, she was treated like a celebrity locally, with newspaper' articles and radio interviews a common occurrence. She still remains- in contact with some of the cast members from those days, attending a reunion in 1986 in Minneapolis, where the show originated. originated. "It was an experience and; an education education in itself. We went to all the famous arenas," she recalls of performing. As for her induction into the Hall of Fame of her hometown, she really can't believe it. , "I was absolutely flabbergasted," she says of getting the honour. "I questioned questioned whether I should be in, but I am very honoured they are doing this for me." Defenceman named captain News from the Eagles nest ï-fiÿjtiV'.; Durtiem Region's BY BRAD KELLY Sports Editor BOWMANVILLE -- Something happened to Craig Woods, and if the defenceman had his way, he would probably probably opt not to talk about it. That's just the way he is, despite the fact the latest honour to be bestowed on him was a positive one. The 19-year-old has been selected as the captain of the Bowmanville Eagles for this season, and while with it comes more responsibility, it's not going to change who he is or how he plays. "No not at all," says the Jackson's Point resident when asked if wearing a letter on the front of his sweater will change him in any way. And, if he had his druthers, that would have been the end of the conversation conversation for the quiet leader of the team, who is uncomfortable with the attention. "I'm not going to change anything. 1 lead by example. I'm not a vocal guy and 1 hope they respect that." • Craig Woods ,j deadline last Muskies. $ • A broken c<l Mike's in the •Named eapl this season. Craig Woods trade Coach Curtis Hodgins said the process of picking a captain is a joint effort between the coaching staff and the team, but that the two sides were thinking along the same lines. "He's a leader who is not vocal," says Hodgins of the new captain, succeeding succeeding Brad Dormiedy, who graduated due to age. "lie's not the guy who is going to stand up in the room and make a big rah rah speech. But everything he does on the ice reeks of leadership," Woods has made a favourable impres sion on liis teammates and with 'the coaching staff in a relatively short amount of time. After playing his minor hockey in York Simeoe, and then a season with the Jr, C Georgina Ice and another with the Lindsay Muskies, He was acquired at the January trade deadline last season from the Muskies, The deal was a good one for the Eagles, as Woods was a valuable valuable part of the team that won the East Conference championship. Unfortunately, the season ended prematurely prematurely with a broken collarbone suffered in the league semifinals against the St. Michael's Buzzers. His play has picked up where it left off prior to the injury, scoring five times and adding six assists to start this campaign, with all five goals coming on the power play. He is also familiar with the role of a captain, having worn die 'C for a few games in Lindsay last season. "I was surprised but happy," he said of his selection. "I'm pretty thrilled to lead these guys." Also selected to serve as leaders for the hockey club are assistants. Brent Small, Dan Nicholls and Andrew Fracz. THE SCOOP - The Eagles improved to 10-1-0-Eon the season with a pair of weekend wins. In Oswego on Friday, Louke Oakley had a goal and two assists in a 5-2 victory. During a Thanksgiving matinee affair on Monday afternoon, Christian Cundavi had the, hat trick in a 9-2 route over the visiting Lindsay Lindsay Muskies,..Scott Freeman' leads the league in scoring with 5-27-32 totals, four points ahead of Kyle Bonis of Bancroft,..The Bancroft,..The Eagles dealt forward Chris Marchant to the Durham Fury for future considerations,