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24 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR:JONKUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2012 Mercedes 10K won by local runner For the first time in the fouryear history of the Mercedes-Benz Oakville 10K, the overall champion is a local resident. Michael Gill won the 10-kilometre signature race of the event Sunday in downtown Oakville, crossing the finish line in 32 minutes, 25 seconds. Victor Gatundu of Burlington was second, six seconds off the pace, while Kevin Smith of Oakville placed third. More than 1,000 runners and walkers participated in the Mercedes-Benz Oakville 10K's four main events -- the 10K run, 10K walk, 5K run and 5K walk. The Mercedes-Benz Oakville 10K raises money for the Oakville Community Foundation. The total amount raised from this year's event was not available at press time. See page 25 for full results from the 10K run, 10K walk, 5K run and 5K walk events. STEVEN DER-GERABEDIAN / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER HOME STREET ADVANTAGE: Michael Gill crosses the finish line of the 10-kilometre race at Sunday's Mercedes-Benz Oakville 10K, becoming the first local resident to win the 10K race in the event's four-year history. Six minor midget AAA Rangers selected in OHL draft By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLEBEAVERSTAFF They had spent several long seasons on rinks around the province working toward this day. But when it finally arrived, Stefan LeBlanc and Theo Lewis didn't want to think about it. So on the morning of the Ontario Hockey League draft earlier this month, the Oakville minor midget AAA Rangers teammates booked a tee time to take their minds off their unfolding hockey careers. "It was good," LeBlanc said. "We didn't even bring our phones with us." The two friends were still together later when the calls arrived. They had a bet with one another as to who would be chosen first, so when Lewis' phone rang first, it looked like he was about to cash in. Lewis was chosen in the seventh round by the Ottawa 67s. But when LeBlanc's phone rang minutes later, he discovered he had bettered his friend, going four picks earlier to the Sudbury Wolves. LeBlanc said the news he got from the Wolves was encouraging. Though seventh-rounders are by no means guaranteed a spot on the team, Sudbury could lose as many as four defencemen next year. "They told me how happy they were to get me and that they thought they got a steal getting me in the seventh round," said the 5-foot-11, 160-pound blueliner, who had Two more Rangers were chosen in the 11th round. Goalie three goals and 35 assists in 52 games for the Rangers this Vito Peragine went to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds while season. With openings available, the 16-year-old LeBlanc said his defenceman Marcel Fatovic went to the Barrie Colts. Gringmuth said Peragine is a very mature player who has goal is to crack the Sudbury roster this season but knows he'll have his work cut out for him in order to compete with quickly worked his way through the ranks from the additional entry team in peewee. 20-year-olds. "He had a bit of a slow start but he got better and better," "I'm going to have to work hard in the off-season," he said. the Rangers coach said. "In the SCTA "Nothing is ever good enough. You can't (South Central AAA) final game against just focus on one or two things." "I'm going to have to work Hamilton, it went to double overtime and Getting a solid effort from LeBlanc has hard in the off-season. he kept us in there. He stood on his never been a concern for Roy Gringmuth, Nothing is ever good head." his coach with the Rangers for the past four enough. You can't just focus Fatovic and LeBlanc formed a strong years. defensive pairing. Fatovic, who had 10 "He plays hard and he doesn't take any on one or two things." goals and 14 assists in 53 games, played a nights off," Gringmuth said. "He's got great physical game but also was good fit on the mobility. He doesn't overreact, he keeps Sudbury Wolves OHL draft pick Stefan LeBlanc things in check and leads by example." powerplay because of a strong shot. LeBlanc was the first of six Rangers "It's a hammer," Gringmuth said. "It's selected in the draft --the second year in a row in which six what got the scouts going." Rangers were drafted. The run on Oakville defenceman continued when the Lewis, 15, was also a defenceman as recently as peewee. Guelph Storm took Eric Luzar in the 12th round. But, already with a strong group of blueliners, Gringmuth "He was our Hal Gill," Gringmuth said of the 6-foot-4, 195-pounder blueliner. "He's a big boy and he's good on the moved him to right wing. "We needed his size (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) up front and he penalty kill." The Greyhounds picked their second Oakville player when works the boards well," the Rangers coach said. "(Lewis and LeBlanc) are cut from the same cloth. They'll always give you they took Brandon Hughes in the 14th round. Gringmuth See Jelic, page 27 a good effort in practice and they're always team first."