www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, January 30, 2015 | 26 Jon Kuiperij Sports Editor sports@oakvillebeaver.com Sports "Connected to your Community" Glad to be part of the team Seven-year-old amputee loving hockey by Jon Kuiperij Beaver Sports Editor As he manned his right-defence position on the Kinoak Arena ice Sunday morning, Daniel Duff fit right in with the rest of the kids. That's the biggest thing the Oakville seven-year-old, who was born without most of his left arm, really wants. "He's not really a spotlight type of kid. He doesn't want to be singled out (for being different)," says Daniel's father, James Duff. "He just wants to be part of the team and win." Daniel's participation in ice hockey -- this is his first season -- is made possible through the use of a device funded by The War Amps Child Amputee Program (CHAMP). One end of the attachment connects to where Daniel's elbow would have been, the other clamps onto the end of his hockey stick. The use of double-ball joints allows the artificial limb to swivel at each end, enabling Daniel to swing his stick back and forth to shoot, pass or handle the puck. "He can't swing to his backhand easily, so we always try to keep him on the forehand," says David West, coach of Daniel's Minor Oaks Hockey Association Tyke Blue 4 team. "We try to make sure we put him in a position where he can't fail." James, who credits wife Sandra for suggesting Daniel sign up for hockey, says West's approach has addressed what was his biggest concern. "I had apprehensions. Not about what people would think, but if he'd be upset that he couldn't do it," James says. "But a lot of it is your own fear and apprehensions. I ask him every week, `Do you still like it?' He refuses to miss a practice or a game." Daniel's face lights up when you talk to him about hockey, especially when you ask him about the feeling of preventing a goal. Patrice Bergeron is his favourite player, the Boston Bruins his favourite team. "It's a lot of fun. You have to go up and down (the ice)," says Daniel Duff, who was born without most of his left arm, is in his first season of hockey with the Minor Oaks Hockey Association. The seven-year-old uses a War Amps-funded device to hold onto his hockey stick. | Justin Greaves -- Special to the Beaver Daniel, a Grade 2 student at St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School. "You're not all alone on a team." At the start of the season, Daniel's teammates, like all youngsters he encounters, were inquisitive. They asked the blunt questions, wondering where his arm was and what happened to it. "I just say I was born like this, and I have a little attachment I put on my hockey stick and I can play," Daniel says. "I feel good. (The War Amps) helped me with my favourite sport, and I feel good I can play it." Through assistance from The War Amps, which develops the artificial limbs and covers any costs that insurance companies do not, Daniel swims and plays soccer in Oakville as well. The War Amps also provides support through seminars and other events, helping children and adults recognize they aren't the only ones impacted by the absence of arms or legs. "It's not the end of the world. It can be a shock (being an amputee) but through support networks and having the right attitude, you just find your way. You do things a little differently, but you just find your way," James says. "We came across somebody who pulled me aside and asked how long Daniel has been this way and how he learned to play hockey. I realized only after the questions that (the man) had lost his arm to bone cancer," James added. "This was a man in his late 50s or early 60s asking about a seven-year-old and saying, `I don't know how I'm going to handle it.' "It's all about how you deal with it." Ron MacLean headlines 2015 OSHOF class Celebrated broadcaster Ron MacLean, Olympic paddlers and coaches Scott and Dean Oldershaw, Oakville figure skating cornerstone Fran McLellan and Sheridan College hockey icon Steve Blundy will be inducted into the Oakville Sports Hall of Fame next month. The hall, which recognizes athletes, coaches, teams and builders who have made a lasting impact on the Oakville sports community, will welcome the 2015 class with a ceremony and gala Thursday, Feb. 26 at Oakville Conference Centre. MacLean (builder, hockey) is best known for his work as the national host of Hockey Night in Canada for nearly 30 years. He still remains involved with the broadcast, including hosting the popular Coach's Corner with Don Cherry. The Red Deer, Alta., native has also anchored CBC's coverage of 10 Olympic Games and has won 10 Gemini Awards. MacLean, who has resided in Oakville since 1986 with his wife Cari, has made his mark on the local sporting community as a friend of organizations and charities, lending his time as an M.C. and speaker at various functions. Brothers Scott and Dean Oldershaw (canoe-kayak) are legendary in the Canadian paddling community. In addition to competing at Olympic Games (Scott in 1984, Dean in 1972 and 1976), they have coached many of the country's top canoe and kayaking talents for more than three decades. Dean led the Oakville Racing Canoe Club to national championship burgees from 1981-83, and Scott was the head coach of the Burloak Canoe Club when it won Canadian titles in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2007. Until recently retiring from the sport, McLellan (builder, figure skating) was involved in Oakville figure skating -- particularly synchronized skating see McLellan on p.27 Veteran CBC broadcaster Ron MacLean will be one of five inductees this year into the Oakville Sports Hall of Fame. | Oakville Beaver file photo