The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2006 31 Triumphant junior returns Sam Gagner visits old buddies after gold-medal win I ANDRE RINGUETTE / FREESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY GOLDEN BOY: Former Oakville Trafalgar High School student Sam Gagner, pictured in a game against Germany, was part of the Canadian junior hockey team that won gold at the world championships last week in Sweden. The 17-year-old visited some friends in Oakville Saturday before heading to the Air Canada Centre, where he and his teammates were honoured prior to the Toronto Maple Leafs' game against Buffalo. t was probably the Stanley Cup Sam Gagner dreamed of winning when he skated around his backyard rink. While he'll have to wait for a chance to share the big silver mug, he did get the opportunity to show off a bit of gold. After arriving home Saturday with the rest of the gold medal-winning Canadian junior team, Gagner squeezed in a visit to Oakville before the team was honoured at the Air Canada Centre later that night. "I got a chance before we went down to the Leaf game to stop and see some friends," he said. "It was awesome. My friends always supported me so to be able to share that with them was a good feeling." There were plenty of good feelings for the Canadian squad in Leksand, Sweden -- seeing Jonathan Toews bury his third goal in a semifinal shootout, watching goalie Carey Price turn away Peter Mueller of the U.S. to send Canada to the gold-medal game -- but nothing compared to how Gagner felt after the game. "There were so many good moments, it's hard to think of just one," Gagner said. "But getting that medal put over my head was definitely special." The good news didn't stop once Gagner returned home. Less than 24 hours after returning, he suited up for the London Knights and had a goal and three assists in a 4-2 victory over Saginaw. That moved him into third in league scoring, behind two other Oakville residents, Tyler Donati and John Tavares. Then came the news that Gagner had been selected for the Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects Game in Quebec City next Wednesday. While Dave Gagner, Sam's dad and an assistant coach with the Knights, went 12th overall in the 1983 NHL draft, his status as the highest drafted Gagner may only last until June. "We don't really talk about it," the younger Gagner said. "It should be a fun, amazing day but it's more important to make the team after you're drafted." Motivated by under-18 cut Making the team, or not making the team as the case may be, provided Gagner with some motivation coming into this season. Cut from the Canadian under-18 team in the summer, Gagner has come back and proven he's among the best young players in the country. "It was tough to not make that team but I got a month to think about it (before training camp with the Knights) so I came in with a clear mind. I've had a chance to play with a lot of skilled players." Among them is his London linemate Patrick Kane, who suited up for the U.S. at the world juniors. "I know first-hand how skilled he is," Gagner said. For two weeks, though, they were rivals. Gagner may have finished the tournament without a point but he still contributed to the team's victory. He was on the ice for Canada's lone goal in regulation of a 2-1 semifinal win over the Americans, which meant Kane had to settle for a bronze medal. Gagner, the youngest player on the Canadian team, was pleased with how he played in his national team debut. "I thought I played pretty well," he said. "I was one of those depth guys. It's a tough tournament to play in so I just tried to come in and do what I could to help us win." -- Herb Garbutt, staff ONLY THREE WEEKS LEFT FOR ADVANCE REGISTRATION FOR THE 2007 OUTDOOR SEASON!! Returning members may register online and siblings (new members) register in person at the OSC Clubhouse. Register Prior to February 7TH for LEGENDARY COACH ANSON DORRANCE COACHING CLINIC Taking place FEBRURAY 17, 2007 See website for complete details 2007 OUTDOOR REGISTRATION FOR NEW MEMBERS FEBRUARY 3 & FEBRUARY 10, 2007 9:00AM ­ 12:00PM - TOWN HALL SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE Contact Joy @ jneefs@oakville-soccer.on.ca j Oakville Soccer Club www.oakville-soccer.on.ca 504 Iroquois Shore Rd., Unit #11, Oakville, On L6H 3K4 Tel: 905-849-4436 Fax: 905-849-3677 The Oakville Beaver A Proud Sponsor of Oakville Soccer Club