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20- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, May 26, 1998 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" SPORT Pp PORT PERRY STAR +4 | SIDIEIL EIST VA VE ORTS CHRIS HALL / PORT PERRY STAR OVER THE TOP: Port Perry High School students in Paul Hart's gym class enjoyed the warm temperatures last week when they engaged in a friendly . game of frisbee football on school grounds last Thursday. With pleasant sunny days and the temperatures continuing to rise, it won't be too long until the end of June arrives and local school classrooms are empty as students and teachers alike enjoy a two-month holiday. From Corner Five Not quite the Indy, but it'll do By John "Wally" Nesbitt Special to The Star There is always an air of excitement and anticipation on the "Night Before The 500." Okay, okay, so we're not in Indianapolis, but the action at Mosport Speedway was just as enjoyable, without all the caution flags. Roy Martell continued his winning ways Saturday night by taking a hard fought victory in the 20 lap ThunderCar feature run as well as earning the check- ers in one heat event. Orono's Shawn Hardy claimed his heat win and his run- ner-up placing in the feature have moved him to the top spot on the leader board ahead of the Ford of Terry Shaw and Newmarket's Les Stanley. Martell and Ajax's Dave Crowther round out the top five. Defending Street Stock champion Andy Warbutton in the #24 Chevelle can't win a title in even numbered years, but his heat win coupled with two, fifth place finishes have him sitting in the overall points lead, a scant two markers ahead of the Motor City's Bob Kish. Steve Knab in the Chevy race truck crossed the line twice in second spot, maintaining his third place standing, Turn to Page 21 New Bench Boss Woodlville's Tom Thornbury looks to lead the ModJacks back to the top of the pack in 1998 By John B. McClelland Port Perry Star When Tom Thornbury was asked recently if he'd be interested in taking over the head coaching duties with the Port Perry ModJacks, there was no hesi- tation. He jumped at the opportunity, and last week the 35-year-old Woodville native was introduced as the guy behind the bench for the 1998-99 Junior C cam- paign. Thornbury, who still makes his home in Woodville with his wife and two daughters, brings a highly respectable and diverse hockey background to the Modacks, including several years as a defenceman with Division One teams in Germany. "We are extremely pleased that Tom will be coaching the MoJacks and think he'll lead us to bigger and better things," said general manager of hockey opera- tions, Murray Parliament. Thornbury takes over the MoJack reins from Brad Menzies, who announced this spring that he's stepping down due to business and family commitments. Assistant coach Scott Pinkerton has confirmed he'll be back with the club this coming season. The other assistant coach, Karl Durham, is looking at oppor- tunities to coach in "Port Perry's minor hockey system. After a long playing career that included a stop with the Pittsburgh Penguins, five seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL), several in Germany, a season with Canada's Olympic team under Dave King, and a year as a playing assistant coach in Oklahoma City of the CHL, the 35-year- old Thornbury spent the last two winters behind the bench with the Provincial Junior A Lindsay Muskies as assistant to Paul Bedford ModJdack GM Murray Parliament said last week he has known the Thornbury family for many years (Tom's older broth- er Len played a season with the ModJacks) and when Menzies decided to step down, "I thought of Tom and said to myself, 'There's a guy who would be a good coach." Parliament knew that Thornbury was coaching in Lindsay and wasn't sure if he'd be interested in the position -- hd with the MoJacks. But in their initial phone call "Tom showed lots of enthusi- asm and interest." And well he would. Thornbury makes no secret of the fact that landing a head coaching position is something he's wanted since his playing days ended. For much of his career as a profes- sional player, Thornbury was a "defen- sive defenceman," one of those crucial "clear the front of the net" guys that any team must have to be successful. He said that one of his priorities with the MoJacks this coming season will be to reduce the number of goals the team gives up. And he will stress commitment and dedication. "Good strong discipline will win hock- ey games," he said, adding that his team "will never be out-worked on any shift in any game." Thornbury credits Dave King as hav- ing a big influence in teaching him to be a defensive player when he was with the Canadian Olympic team. King is considered one of the finest teachers of the game ever in this country. He's now an assistant with the Montreal Canadiens and works as a consultant for hockey development in Japan. Tom's older (by three years) brother Len also was an important positive influence going all the way back to their teenage years when they were both playing junior in Toronto. Thornbury saw some Junior C playoff games this past spring in Little Britain and was impressed by the speed of the teams. He feels there is not a great deal of difference between C and Tier Two, other than a few of the players in Tier Two may be under consideration for the OHL draft. There are sound, fundamental coach- ing principles that apply at all levels, he said. He cited the setting of definite team goals and convincing the players to adapt or "buy in" to the systems the coaching staff wants to develop. And on top of everything, Thornbury said, play- ers should enjoy the game, have fun, and want to come to the rink. With his contacts in North America and Europe, he's in a position to be able Turn to Page 21 Tom Thornbury, centre, is welcomed to his new position as head coach of the Port Perry MoJacks by General Manager Murray Pariiament, left, and assistant coach Scott Pinkerton after Brad Menzies stepped down.