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OkillOAKVILLESMUSIC STOREwww.gearmusic.netSports324 Kerr St.905-339-3515SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2011 25Sign of springFrom Cougars to CrimsonHarvard-bound defenceman balances books, hockeyBy Herb Garbuttout of the playoffs this year, Luzar has no OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFregrets about his choice.I couldnt have picked a better team, Mark Luzar had an important decision to he said, from the coaching staff to the play-make two years ago. ers to the management, its been first class The towering defenceman had just been all the way.drafted by the Brampton Battalion and, at He enjoyed two strong seasons with the the age of 16, was in the posi-Cougars, helping them finish School has tion of having to map out hisfirst in their conference each future. While he certainly hadalways been year. the size coveted by OntarioHe finished this season with important to me. Hockey League teams thefour goals and 11 points in 45 It's a fine balance,18-year-old now stands 6-foot-games but was better known keeping your4, 200 pounds he opted tofor his ability to shut down the grades up whilepursue college hockey.oppositions top scorers. That School has always beenplaying hockey.ability did not go unrecognized important to me, he said. Itsas he was added to NHL Central Mark Luzara fine balance, keeping yourScoutings watch list prior to grades up while playing hockey,the season. He also played for but it was definitely worth it.Team East at the Canadian Junior Hockey Luzar actually committed to Harvard in League Prospects Game in Manitoba in 2008 while still playing midget hockey in December.Mississauga. The stay-at-home defender will Teammate off to Clarksonpatrol the blueline for the Crimson while studying economics.Cougars teammate and fellow Oakville But when Luzar made his decision to native Patrick Marsh is bound for Clarkson pursue the NCAA, he still had two years of University after a season in which he scored high school remaining and needed some-41 goals and racked up 98 points in 49 where to play that would also prepare him games. He added five goals and 11 points in to play at the next level.10 playoff games.His main criteria was finding a team Marsh, whose dad played college hockey close to his Oakville home that would allow at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), him to continue to attend T.A. Blakelock. had three school visits planned but can-He chose the Ontario Junior Hockey celled his other two visits after going to MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVERLeagues Burlington Cougars after meeting Clarkson. with Dan Currie, then an assistant coach It felt so good, he said. It had the aca-BACK IN THE SWING OF THINGS: Monday's chilly temperature and occasional snow-with the team. And even though it was his demics, a good business program, Division flakes didn't deter Anthony Allevato from getting out for a round of golf at Glen Abbey Golf Club. Many hometown Blades that knocked Burlington See Goaltender, page 28courses in the area have already opened for the 2011 season.