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Ea Se _ 32 - RORT PERRY, STAR nWadnasdey, Juin d, 189% PORT PERRY STAR Port Perry Minor Hockey held its first Banquet and Awards Night last Saturday at the Scugog Arena. Over 500 people attended to see some of Port Perry's young hockey players receive awards and listen to an impressive group of guest speakers. Guests for this event were, from left, Sherry Bassin (co-owner Junior A Sault * Ste. Marie Greyhounds), Kevin McClelland (Detroit Red Wings), Clair Cornish, (Junior A, Oshawa Generals), Brad May (Buffalo Sabres, draft) and George Burnett (Coach Junior A, Niagara Falls Thunder). Hockey celebrities on hand for 1st banquet and awards night Over 500 people sat down to a beef dinner last Saturday evening as Port Perry Minor Hockey held its first Banquet and Awards night. . Organizers were pleased with the turnout, and say they hope to make the event an an- nual affair. 'For the aspiring hockey players attending, the pres- ence of NHL celebrities Kevin McClelland of the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres draft pick Brad May caused much excitement as the two men were kept busy all eve- ning signing autographs. Guest speaker for the even- ings was Sherry Bassin, owner of the Junior A Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Also attending the banquet and popular with the home- crowd were Niagara Falls Thunder coach, George Bur- nett, who was voted O.H.A. Coach of the Year, and Clair Cornish, a player with the Oshawa Generals. Both local men received a thunderous welcome when in- troduced to speak to the crowd following the dinner. During the speeches, many accolades were thrown to Port Perry Minor Hockey for their efforts on behalf of the kids. Mayor Howard Hall con- gratulated the executive of PPMH saying this "shows the kids you really care." Bantams trounce Goodwood Port Perry Bantam Boys Fastball team continued their winning ways in the York- Durham Fastball League, with a 9-1 trouncing of Goodwood on Monday night. Port Perry pitchers Denis Smith and Chad Venning combin- ed for a 13 strikeout no-hit game. The local boys opened the game with four consecutive hits by Duane Empringham, Corey Bricknell, Jeff Card and Steven Stiles to jump into an early 4-0 lead and never looked back. Kent Jamieson added a single and Grant Kay had a long home run to add to the scoring. 'I'ne win enabled the team to hang on to a share of first place in the league with Oshawa with a 8-1 record. The team will be playing in the Bramalea Tournament this Saturday, and play the host team at 9 a.m. If the team continues to im- prove they should have a chance to win this tournament, but they "will have to get by Jarvis, last year's Ontario Summer Games Champions, to do so. Should be a good Saturday of action. The Bantams play every Tues- day night at the north diamond at the Lakefront Park. George Burnett also con- gratulated the organizers for - recognizing the young players, and said it was good to be back in Port Perry. "During my travels around the province, it's certainly easy to understand why PPMH is recognized as one of the best organizations in On- tario," he said. Guest speaker Sherry Bas- sin, was in fine form for the oc- casion, aiming most of his re- marks at the youngsters present. He said that the average ca- reer for an NHL player is 4 1/2 years, so it was important for the parents to develop good character in their kids. "Develop them first as peo- ple, then as hockey players", he urged the parents. Mr. Bassin, directed most of his comments at the young players sitting in front rows, and told them to compete to the best of their ability, learn- ing both discipline and re- spect. "If you want loyalty and re- spect from your team-mates, then you must first show loy- alty and respect. Respect must be earned", he said. In closing, Mr. Bassin said, the best lesson is sport is - "if you can't play a sport ... then be a sport." Following the presentations of awards to individuals and teams, the floor was cleared for a dance. The NHL celebrities were busy signing autographs all dae HE Bi i : : ; ; - id , io \ "Th iE i a at » bg evening, and Kevin McClelland of the Detroit Red Wings is seen here signing a program for one of his new young fans, Nicole Bourgeois of Port Perry. + Brad May of Buffalo Sabres, shares.a moment with a very happy Jonathan Froats, who was the winner of Brad's Niagara Falls Thunder sweater. Blackstock Tractor Pull at fairgrounds Saturday Two-wheel drive trucks to highway tractors will be stir- ring up the dust at the annual Blackstock Tractor Pull this coming Friday and Saturday evenings. The Blackstock event is the longest running tractor pull in Central Ontario, which has been running since the late 1970s. The MCs for the tractor pull will be two longtime Blackstock area residents Harvey Graham and Harold Wright. On Friday evening the trac- tors will be split into several classes including 4x4 stock trucks, street legal 4x4s, farm tractors (7,600 lbs), two classes for non-circuit tractors (8,000 and 11,000 lbs.) modified trac- tors, open modified, and high- way tractors. Saturday evening classes in- clude two modified classes, 4x4 and two wheel vehicles, four classes for pro stock tractors, and two classes for Vintage tractors (30 plus year old trac- tors). Action will get underway both evenings at 7p.m. Admission on Friday night will be $7 for adults, $2 chil- dren, Saturday night admis- sion will be $6 for adults. Be- cause competitors on Friday evening will be vying for more prizes the admission price was raised. For those who are not famil- iar with what a tractor pull is, the tractor hitches on to a weight transfer sled, and the winner is the one which pulls the sled the longest distance. All tractors must be weighed and registered at H&M Wright Feed in Blackstock prior to 6:30 p.m. on the evening of the pull. Tractors can be weighed begin- ningat4p.m. Anyone wishing more infor- mation are asked to call Joyce Kelly at 986-4257.