BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
The next wave of Sudbury-born OHL hockey
stars are ready to grasp the reins of destiny and prove to the
hockey world they are for real. Over the
course of the next few issues, Northern Life
will be bringing readers a series of stories on the young
athletes who play in the OHL, who are ready to prove
themselves, make bigger development steps, and who all appear
to be on the verge of becoming more dominant players.
The series will focus on Sudbury's Jadran
Beljo, who was recently traded from the Peterborough Petes to
the Mississauga IceDogs; Scott Lavigne, who plays for Toronto;
Scott Restoule, who plays for Sarnia after a late season trade
from London; J.F. Houle, who plays for Brampton; Corey
McGillis, who plays for Windsor after having his rookie season
almost wiped out entirely following a serious pre-season
injury; and Lively's Andrew Desjardins, who plays for Sault
Ste. Marie.
These players, in my opinion, are ready for
the big time, and could potentially have major breakout seasons
in 2005-06.
Beljo seems destined to be a 30 to 40 goal
man thanks to his knack for scoring goals and willingness to do
anything to put the puck in the net.
Lavigne is poised to become a offensive force
from the blueline with his pure skating ability and excellent
passing skills.
McGillis has a lot of expectations to live up
to, and believes he can be a bonafide star, especially with his
rugged frame and toughness.
Restoule has all the tools and many believe
could blossom into an explosive offensive machine in the OHL
thanks to his hands and vision.
Houle has the offensive ability and talent to
score at a point-per-game pace with his slick plays that make
people's jaw's drop in amazement.
Desjardins is also poised to have a big
season, with his never-say-die attitude and stringent work
ethic.
One of the most interesting things to almost
always surface when talking or writing about Greater
Sudbury-produced hockey players is they are quality people away
from the game they love and coaches and general managers have
nothing but good things to say about their personality
and
character.
Every coach I talked to, from Sarnia's Shawn
Camp to Peterborough's Dick Todd, couldn't say enough good
things about the high quality of character
and personality players from this community
possess.
Most of the same coaches made it clear even
though Greater Sudbury may not be producing star after star
player, the good people who come out of minor hockey from this
community all make a direct impact on their respective
clubs.
Brampton's bench boss, Stan Butler, sees the
quality of character in Greater Sudbury players as a by-product
of good coaching and a well-run minor hockey system, which is
respected throughout the province.
So with that, the hockey world gives thanks
to the countless number of coaches, trainers, parents,
volunteers, managers and everyone else associated with minor
hockey across Greater Sudbury for helping produce genuine
players who can make a difference.
It was phenomenal to see the passion and
drive exhibited by all the players I interviewed for this
series.
They all showed real purpose for pursuing
their hockey dreams, which they all hope will eventually result
in a professional career in Canada's national obsession.
Enjoy the stories!
