Ontario Community Newspapers

Belleville Bulls Face Off '95-96, p. 14

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A14 - THE INTELLIGENCER, UfhntiK 22,H95, FACE OFF 95-96 Bulls impressive at NHL camps Richard Park, Craig Mills, Sean Brown. Fans in NHL cities may soon be hearing those names. A lot. Bulls veteran centre Richard Park, a 1994 second round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, was given a legitimate shot at sticking with the big club this fall. Last season he was one of the hottest players in the second half of the OHL schedule and looked like he belonged in some limited playoff appearances with Pittsburgh once the Bulls were eliminated. As for Belleville captain Craig Mills, the Winnipeg Jets covet their hardworking 1994 draft pick as a future power forward. Gritty, unselfish and determined, Mills is noted for giving his all on every shift. Those qualities were helping him extend his stay at Winnipeg's 1995 training camp. The Boston Bruins know something about defencemen. Eddie Shore, Bobby Orr and Raymond Bourque, for instance. So, when they picked Bulls blueliner Sean Brown in the first round of the 1995 NHL draft, the Belleville rearguard was receiving a huge compliment. Brown was impressing observers at the Beantown camp with his steady work and heads-up play in his own end, habits that should help the Bulls this season. Belleville's . bench bosses a good blend When it comes to coaching, the Belleville Bulls have the best of both worlds. In grizzled veteran bench boss Larry Mavety, the Bulls have one of the Big Three of OHL head coaches. With 445 OHL victories, Mavety ranks behind only Ottawa's Brian Kilrea and Barrie's Bert Templeton for most career wins. I A member of the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame, Mavety was a top notch athlete in his playing days. As a hockey player, he performed for several years in the minor pro ranks before hitting the big time in the now-defunct World Hockey Association with the Chicago Cougars and Toronto Toros. With former Team Canada stalwart Pat Stapleton as his defence partner, Mavety was a Second Team all-star in the WHA. As a fastball player, Mavety had few equals at catcher. He also carried a heavy bat and represented Canada at the world championships in Arizona as a member of the Oshawa Tonies. In sophomore Louis Crawford, the Bulls have a younger version of Mavety: Tough, demanding and uncompromising but with the best interests of his players at heart. Crawford is only three seasons removed from a 10-year career as a minor pro and a 45-game stint with the Boston Bruins. A grinder and, scrapper as a player, Crawford has won a Memorial Cup and a Calder Cup (AHL) as a player. In other words, he knows how to win. Larry Mavety... 15th season in the OHL. Craig Mills Hours before game time they arrive. They unpack equipment, lay out clean jerseys, sharpen skates, give rubdowns, treat minor ailments, fetch tape and fill water bottles. And much, much more. They're the trainers and no OHL club could operate without them. Belleville welcomes back Paul Shilton, a former stick boy, as head trainer this season. A graduate of Durham College's sports administration program, Shilton Richard Park The trainers: Can't live without 'em has worked for the Oshawa Generals and Oshawa Green Gaels Jr. A lacrosse team. He was headed for the minor pro Brantford Smoke when the Bulls job opened up last summer and the Belleville native jumped at the chance to return home. Helping out Shilton is longtime assistant trainer Chris Rutledge. Help also comes from Bernie Hyderman. They're the guys who work behind the scenes. Making sure the Bulls are ready to play night after night. Louis Crawford ... sophomore assistant. MflDJflK I/IDEO NOW WITH NEW COMICS ARRIVING WEEKLY! COLLECTIBLE SPORTS CARDS UP TO >/2 OFF REGULAR PRICE BACK ISSUE COMICS y2 OFF REGULAR PRICE! LARGE SELECTION OF WAX PACKS IN STORE!

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