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24 - The Canadian Champion, Tueaday, AprIil , 2000 #2.342 Bmite SL d876-WIN «Rebuilding begins for Jr. B Mavericks By STEVE LeBLANO The Champion Mavericks GM Dave Dec aire won't deny that bis junior lacrosse teamn is in for a major rebuilding period this season. But he's also flot buying into pre-season scuttlebutt that his club - silver medaliats ai Iast summer's national championahips - is set to crumble. 'The OLA's unofficial website has us ranketi seventh in the West Division. I'd be disappointeti with that kinti of finish," he slressed,*during the opening of training camp ai the John Tonelli Sports Centre Saturday. With long-lime stars Andrew Harthol, Jimmy Leworthy Jr. and Grfaham Darling ail going overage plus fellow standouts Cory Leigh andi Chris Powless most likely gratiuating to the Jr. A ranka this year, Milton is now in the mitiat of ils biggest exodus of talent in franchise history. However, Decaire seeros fairly confi- dent that newly hired skipper John Chandler - successor to recently retireti Jim Leworthy - anti a rash of up-anti- coming prospects will help the teami sus- tain ils competitiveneas. Fast game expected "John will use the enlire bench more anti have these guys in shape," suggested Decaire. "He goes with a st-paceti, quick transition gaine tIsai with a much younger tramn will work to our ativantage." Anti while somewhat disappointeti with the initial tumnout at camp, the general manager saiti the club shoulti boast a strong local flavour this year. Noted Decaire, "Guys like Derek Mewhinney, Bobby MacDonald anti Blair Beaulieu al have a gooti chance of mak- ing it. Mats O'Mearas another one. He's big anti coulti fit in nicely." Among the veterans, Craig Hedley appeara to be one of the few proven per- formera due back. He was inilially looking to jump to Jr. A this season, but because of work commit- menta will probably retun to tIse fold. "We can accomotiate him more than they can at Jr. A," saiti Decaire. -We may not have hum every night, but hi presence anti leadership will still help us &lot." With the overage departure of Andrew Dowdell, Mike DeBoer heatis into camp as the leading candidate f'or the number one goaltender position. The Milton sophomore showed strongly at limes st year, but will have to gain a little more consistency if hie hopes to maintain the starting spot. Especially with several other promising netimindera available, including Oakville's Adamn Rivera - brought in as the third- attinger for last year's Founder's Cup. "We've got a reasonably gooti returning crew anti with what we've got froin tIse iniermediate team anti the Orangeville Northmen (Jr. A affiliate) we can expect to be compeltidve," said Decaire. "I think rumnoura of our death have been greatly exaggerated." For his part, Chandiler appeara equally optimistic about Milton's chances for a respectable mun this season. The new heati coach - only the third in teami history - isn't making specific pre- dictions just yet, but saiti the primary goal is constant improvement. "I want us to be better ai the midway mark of the year than we are now anti bet- ter by the end than we are halfway through," hie saiti. "We're going to have to have a good transition game anti be sggressive on defense." Addressing Decaire's commenta on his coaching style, Chandiler agreeti that utili- tizing his entioe bench has always been a top priority. Full lisseup needed He explaineti, "I go with a pace game, which isn',t possible if you're only using 10 guys. If you' ve got 18 runners, you might as welI use them." WIsat deplh the local tram has will cer- tainly be needeti this year - as the season has been extended to 24 games anti still features plenty of traveling. Also, Milton will embark on its longest moatip ever in regular season play - six gaines over two weeks - which makes this years rebuilti that much tougher. 11I think we'll be okay. My biggest con- cern this year is that we get tome more people in lIse stands," saiti Decaire. They will open exhibition play Wednesday, Apr. 19 in Georgetown anti host the Halton HuIs Bulîdoga Saturday, Apr. 22 at 2 p.m. at Tonelli Arena. Their home opener is sîsteti for Friday, Apr. 28 at 8 pin. against Wallaceburg.