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

Local blueliner likes chances of getting back to nationals By Jon KuiperijBEAVER SPORTS EDITORTypically, junior hockey players in their final year of eligibility arent happy to be traded to a team with an inferior record.Mike Baird isnt complaining too much, however. In fact, his chances of competing in the national junior A championship tourna-ment for a second straight year might have improved.The 20-year-old defenceman was dealt to the Huntsville Otters last month, leaving a Brockville Braves squad that competed in last years Royal Bank Cup for an Otters club that sat fourth in the Ontario Junior Hockey Leagues North Division.But despite Huntsvilles struggles so far the Otters are 23-16-7-1 with a couple games left in the regular season Baird and his new club are just one step away from com-peting at the Royal Bank Cup. As host of this years Dudley Hewitt Cup, Huntsville has an automatic berth in the tournament that will determine Central Canadas representative for the national championships.I was happy to end up where I did andhave an opportunity to play for the Dudley Hewitt in April, said Baird, who also believes Huntsvilles record is a deceiving one. (The Otters) have made quite a few changes. They even brought in new coaches recently to pre-pare for the Dudley. Theyve been tinkering with things all the way throughout the season DEBBIE BRADLEY / DEBBIE BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHYso far and now we like what we have.Still, it appears it might take some time forLocal resident Mike Baird has a chance to play in back-to-back national junior A hockey championship tournaments after recently being traded to thethose changes to pay off. Huntsville lost both Huntsville Otters. Huntsville will host the Dudley Hewitt Cup tournament that determines Central Canada's representative at the Royal Bank Cup.its games last weekend one to the division-fidence by stringing a few wins together andPioneers.the Minor Oaks Hockey Association rep sys-leading Newmarket Hurricanes, the other in a shootout to the Orangeville Flyers and hasget on a roll throughout the playoffs EveryUtica currently sits seventh in United tem as well, playing at the A, AA and AAA lev- droppedgame weve lost recently has been a shootoutStates College Hockey Online websites els. eight of its last 11 contests.But Bairdor a one- or two-goal game. We just need toDivision 3 rankings.I was always behind. Because of that, I had , who saw what it took to reachfind our confidence.Landing a hockey scholarship had to be to go to extra hockey camps and skating the Royal Bank Cup with Brockville last year, sees simiBaird likely isnt lacking much confidenceconsidered a longshot for someone who first classes to improve and catch up to my friends, lar potential in his new squad.The type of program theyin himself these days. He recently committedlearned to skate at the age of eight and spent Baird said. That taught me about working re running is definitelyto attend Utica College next fall, where hellhis first three years of hockey at the house hard at an early age. Its something thats where it should be, he said of theOplay Division 3 NCAA hockey for theleague level. Baird worked his way up through stuck with me and that Ive continued to do.tters. I think we just need to build our con-Call Jessica at 905-845-3824 ext. 299 jlangero@oakvillebeaver.comFOUNDATION REPAIRHOME IMPROVEMENTPAINTINGPAINTINGYOUR AD HEREWET BAADVERTISE YOUR SEMENT?Inter-Can Painting Inc.PROFESSIONAL SERVICES HEREPROFESSIONAL PAINTERSCONSTRUCTIONPainters Builders Renovators ? Drywall specialty Plaster Repair StuccoDecorators Plus all other home ? Remodel your shower/ improvement services Wallpapering/Strippingbath enclosures eg: tiling? Install cabinetry & moreAND BE NOTICED! Interior/Exterior? Quick, precise completion Josamirezof all jobs Personalized Service Waterproofi ng? Rate is the best bar noneFor Free Estimates call20 Year ? Complete basement Damp Proofi Free Estimate ng Basement WallsTransfrenos (established erable Weeping Tiles & Window Wells(905) 334-2120Wconnections with people arranReno/Handymanty Mini ExcavationHubertr) Klein(ownein all trades) Residential /Commercial Painting Over 30 Years In Business Free Inspections & Estimates Interior/Exterior Faux Finishes 289-337-1171(905) 469-0092905-580-1010 Staining Plaster Repairs jchartrand12@cogeco.cawww.aquaproofi ng.ca Caulking and more 10 Years experience with custom builder27 Wednesday, February 9, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com