Feel the sting of Scott Restoule

BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW [email protected] Scott RestouleÃ‚'s resolve was tested last season, but heÃ‚'s optimistic this year will get off to a better start.

Sudbury.com Staff Mar 21, 2006 12:18 AM

BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW

[email protected]

Scott RestouleÃ‚'s resolve was tested last season, but heÃ‚'s optimistic this year will get off to a better start.

Restoule, 17, was near OHL hockey heaven when he made the powerhouse London Knights at the start of the 2004-05 season.

As bad luck would have it, Restoule was dealt to cellar-dweller Sarnia, just before the first game of the regular season.

Restoule wasted no time accepting his new fate.

Ã‚"I got a call at school to go down to the rink,Ã‚" said Restoule. Ã‚"I grabbed my stuff then I went to my billetsÃ‚' house and packed up. In less than an hour I was off to Sarnia just in time for afternoon practice.Ã‚"

Sarnia, which was in full rebuilding mode, earmarked the stocky Restoule as a major building block for the future.

London has since gone on to win the OHL Championship and Memorial Cup, while Sarnia nose-dived into the leagueÃ‚'s basement, and finished second last overall.

Restoule took the circumstances as a blessing and brought a mind like a sponge to the rink everyday, along with his work boots.

Ã‚"We didnÃ‚'t do too well,Ã‚" said Restoule. Ã‚"Our team was so young, so it was hard to believe in one another after a lot of losses. It wasnÃ‚'t all bad. I made London out of training camp, but I knew I wasnÃ‚'t going to get a lot of ice time being a rookie. Sarnia told me I would get an opportunity to play a lot. For me, it was important to be playing a lot in my rookie year. I didnÃ‚'t want to sit on the bench or in the stands.Ã‚"

And play he did, in all kinds of situations. Restoule was on the power play unit and also juggled between the second, third and fourth line duties.

Restoule didnÃ‚'t start off with a bang, but had a solid finish to his 2004-05 campaign.

At the Christmas break, Restoule had just four points in 29 games. He played his heart out in the second half of the season, and finished with 25 points in 65 games, after recording 21 points in his final 36 games. Ã‚"In the end, I was happy with my season,Ã‚" said Restoule. Ã‚"Personally, I didnÃ‚'t set my goals too high, so scoring 25 points was good.Ã‚"

RestouleÃ‚'s smoldering play in the second half resulted in him getting high praise.

Ã‚"Scott found out what it takes to be a player at this level in terms of commitment to training, diet and school,Ã‚" said Sarnia head coach Shawn Camp.

Ã‚"In the second half, we got a peek under the hood at what Scott has to offer. ScottÃ‚'s a nice offensive player. He has the tools to create offence and finish. HeÃ‚'s a great puck handler and plays with his head up. Before his OHL career is done, Scott will put up good numbers.Ã‚"

In late May, Restoule finally had shoulder surgery to repair damage that had been bothering him since Minor Bantam.

Ã‚"Over time, the injury just got worse and kept bugging me,Ã‚" said Restoule. Ã‚"Finally, I got it fixed. I will make a full recovery, but it could take four to six months.Ã‚"

Restoule will probably miss the first part of the 2005-06 season, maybe training camp, exhibition games and the first couple of regular season games, but when he returns, he will be fully charged and ready to make a lot of noise in his second campaign.

Ã‚"I had an end-of-season meeting with the coach and GM, and they said I am capable of providing more offence, and so do I,Ã‚" said Restoule. Ã‚"The coaches think I can score a point-per-game. I will be aiming for between 50 and 60 points. I have this first year under my belt, so thereÃ‚'s no reason I

canÃ‚'t step it up and do more to help our team win.Ã‚"

Restoule plans to spend the rest of the summer sharpening his physique and skills in order to be 100 percent ready to help push the Sting into the playoffs.

Ã‚"Playing hockey is more like your job as you get older,Ã‚" said Restoule. Ã‚"I have to improve my foot speed and be more determined mentally this season. I am someone who can help out offensively. I can score goals and set guys up to score. We need to make the playoffs, especially for our

fans because they deserve it.Ã‚"

Restoule always enjoys trips back home to play against the Sudbury Wolves. Ã‚"It can be nerve-racking,Ã‚" said Restoule. Ã‚"ItÃ‚'s always nice to play at home in front of family and friends who donÃ‚'t usually get to see me play.Ã‚"

Restoule will spend the summer staying in top shape.

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