Ontario Community Newspapers

Belleville Bulls Face Off '96 - 97, p. 13

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Page 13 Bulls destined for fifth place (continued from, page 12.) Central Division- Gavey 1. Guelph Comments: GM Mike Kelly is as good as anyone in the junior game today and he'll have the Storm around the top of the leader board again this year. 2. Kitchener '_ Comments: Winning teams are built around top notch 19-year-olds and Kitchener has two'of the best in Boyd Deveraux and Ryan Pepperall. 3. Barrie Comments: GM Bert Templeton and the expansion Colts were the story of the OHL last year. The success story will continue. 4. Erie Comments: The former Niagara Falls Thunder's season will hinge on how returnees like Jason Ward and Shane Nash develop. 5. Sudbury Comments: Goaltending will carry them. 6. Owen Sound Comments: The woes in Owen Sound continue: Former Bull Jamie Sokolsky will add punch to offense from the blueline and will benefit from a smaller playing surface. West Division- Svoboda l.Soo Comments: You've got to like OHL Rookie of the Year Joe Thornton. (C) and there's nothing wrong with the Hounds' D, led by another freshman sensation, Richard Jackman. 2. Sarnia Comments: Still lots of offensive clout in this lineup. New coach Joe Canale has been a winner in Quebec league and with 1994 Team Canada juniors. 3. London Comments: Yes, I agree with Bulls play-by-play talking head Jack Miller. Watch the Knights rise from the ashes of a 3-60-3 season to the upper echelon of the weak West Division. Lots of hungry young kids here, including first round pick Rico Eata. 4. Windsor Comments: Watch Stirling product Matt Cooke (LW) enjoy a strong sophomore season in Border City. 5. Detroit Comments: From first to worst? Whalers lose too many top guns this season. West Division- Miller 1. Sarnia Comments: Could have three 100-point producers. Young goaltender Patrick DesRochers will be a key. 2. Sault Ste. Marie Comments: Joe Thornton will challenge for OHL MVP honors. Richard Jackman could challenge for top defenceman. Goaltender Michael Podolka will determine if Greyhounds finish better. 3. London Comments: Don't laugh. If-the Knights find a winger to go with Adam Colagicacomo and Rico Fata they will have one of the best lines in the league. Besides, the West will be the weak sister this year. It won't take much to finish third. 4. Windsor Comments: Only if Tim Findlay and Mike Martin return as overage players. 5. Detroit Comments: Could lose 12 of their top 14 point producers from last year. A word of caution though, the Whalers have been known to find talented replacements in their farm system, commonly referred to as the State of Michigan. West Division- Gavey 1. Sault Ste. Marie Comments: Stars like Joe Thornton and Richard Jackman should continue the Soo's winning ways. 2. Sarnia Comments: Coach Joe Canale has won at every level of the game. Now add the OHL. S.Detroit Comments: Another golden OHL organization, they're rebuilding but with this bunch that just means a move to the middle of the pack for a year. 4. London Comments: They'll struggle to overcome the death of coach Tom Barrett and the horror of last year, but this young group is now battle tested. 5. Windsor Comments: Better times are ahead. EDITOR'S NOTE: At press time, Bulls goaltender Kory Cooper and overage prospect Paul Mclnnes (D) were attending NHL training camps: Cooper with the New Jersey Devils and Mclnnes with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Shilton, Rutledge back Unsung training staff Behind every good hockey team is a good training staff. The Bulls depend heavily on head trainer Paul Shilton and assistant trainer Chris Rutledge to make sure skates are sharp, tape is plentiful and on-ice injuries recede immediate treatment. Shilton enters his second seasta as Bulls trainer. A Belleville native, Shilton is a former Bulls stick boy who later studied sports administration at Durham College in Oshawa. He worked for the Oshawa Generals and also the Oshawa Green Gaels junior lacrosse club. Shilton (in photo at right) almost didn't make it back to Belleville. He had a scheduled interview with the minor pro Brantford Smoke before being hired by the Bulls. Rutledge has a longtime involvement with junior hockey in Belleville, first as a stick boy with the old Junior "B" Bobcats. His upto-date ambulance and first aid training has been invaluable over the years to the Bulls. Known around the Sports Centre as Rut, the Belleville native is a former standout lacrosse player and a big harness racing fan. P R O U D L Y P R E S E N T S . .. THE FIRST ANNUAL MISS "NUDE" CABARET PAGEANT SEPTEMBER 3 OTH TO OCTOBER STH 138 FRONT ST. 967-5929 TUESDAY -TOQNIE NIGHT 10 WINGS $2.00 DRINK SPECIALS 2 SUPER SPECIALS WEDNESDAY WILD WEDNESDAY FREE POOL & FOOD GIVEAWAYS' THURSDAYS , EXOTIC V-\rrvrif* , COMPETITIONS FRIDAY 12-2PM FREE BUFFET CATCH THURSDAYS SHOW WINNERS · ,

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