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LOT 2X8 (905) 878-2121 Â Sales, Service, Parts and Rentais M 1-l' The Canadien Champion, Friday, December 1, 2000 - 25 Merchants blueliner named to Under-17 Ontario squad By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion Merchant fans have quickly corne te, know Rick Janco as a hard-working young defenceman with lead- ership skills and character beyond bis years. * And pretty soon the resl of the country will leamn thal as well - or al leasl those who follow the upcom- ing Under- 17 World Hockey Challenge. The I 6-year-old blueliner is among seven former GTHLers, and one of three ex-Toronto Marîboros (including one-time Merchant hopeful Rick Nash), who've been named to Team Ontario for the holiday toumament. RI feels greal. Aclually I was getting a litIle nervous because it was coming prelly close to the deadline (for choosing the team)," said the 6' I ", 2 10 lbs. rear guard, who got the caîl about making the squad last Wednesday. Janco - who saw an awful lot of ice lime and showed strongly during the Merchants' blueline injury rash early tbis season - feels compeling in the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge will be a major confidence booster. Nol that he hant already enjoyed a healtby dose of Ihat since becoming a Merchant. "The guys in this league are faster and bigger, 50 you' ve got te, leamn to move the puck quieker and be ready 10 play with more tough- ness," he said. The Merchants' youngest defenceman certainly han no shortage of the latter - but it's bis less tangible qualities that have most impressed head coach Glenn Walsh. 'Rick's heard a hundred limes over that he bas tremendous Rick Janca eharacter, that's one of bis detin- ing altribules. He's willing to do whatever il takes 10 succeed," remarked Milton's beneh boss. "Sometimes it's easy to torget that he's a 16-year- old. He'll probably. almout certainly, be a star in this league in the comiug years." Added captain and defensive anchor John Nadalin, "He's given us a lot of depth on the blueline for sueh a young guy. He's got great composure and has fit right in here." Janeo is the second Merchant defeuceman iu four seasons to play for the Under- 17 squad. Matt B annan did s0 in 1997/98, and helped Ontario beat the Czech Republie 3-2 for the gold. This year's tournament will be held December 27 to January 4 in New Glasgow, Nova Scolia. AA major bants enjoy scoring surge in victory versus Arthur Milton's A major bantamts t]exed their collective scortng muscles en route to doubling Arthur 8-4Jet? l c e Sunday.RpH ce The Action Utility Winterbawks enjoyed 2-I sud 4-_______________________ I period leads on the way 10 viclory. Nelminder Corey Clarkson stood taîl down the stretch to preserve the Close, but no cigar win. Milton's AA minor novices came within a heartbeat Sam Tomlinson enjoyed the lion's share of the scor- of advancing 10 the playoft round aI lasI weekend's iug pie witb a wbopping four goals and four assists. Pickering Toumnament. Tallying twice and adding a pair of belpers was Ian In arguably their strongest performance of the year, Koruack. the local lads kept pace witb Belleville throughout the Greg Pepper had a goal sud two assists white also finaI round robin clash - but were eventually denting the twine was Derek Blanchard. trmmcd 2-I1. Sunday's win was the second lu as miany days and Brandon Haggart scored the lone tally while stand- followed a 4-2 triumph over Caledon. ouI efforts were giveit by Zakk Collins, Lauren Kelly, Tomlinson scored îwice lu ibis one while singles Brendan Farrell sud Richard Monk. were contributed by Blanchard and Pepper. Once The Collins Sunoco Witerhawks spîli their firsl again il was Clarkson delivering some credible cage two games - outdistancing London 3-I sud then work for the 'Hawks. lalling 10 Barrie 4-0. Gary Klutt îallied twice lu the Before that, the local lads split a two-game stretcb win while also scoriug was Jake Cochrane. Trevor - toppling Arthur 6-I sud losing 10 Acton 5-I1. Rae-Huut stood taîl between the pipes. Pepper sud Tomîlison eacb potted a pair lu the win lu receul league play, Milton was bombed 10-3 by while between the pipes was Aaron Clarke. Ian Oakville sud dowued 5-3 by Georgetown. Collins bad Kornack also scored while Pepper made the loute a couple of goals lu botb games while singles were deposit againsi Acton. cbipped lu by Haggart sud Monk. výMarlins continue to make waves The Milton Marlins conîinued 10 make waves last 'veekeud - delivering some impressive resutts aI their second mccl of the year lu Burlinglon. Leadiug the way was Aaron Fraser, wbo delivered a near dlean sweep -winning fîve of' ber six eveuts sud striking silver lu the other. The gifted swimmer's golden performauces came lu the 100m sud 200m treestyle, 100m sud 200m butter- fly and the 100m breasîstroke. Her second-place showiug was lu the 200m breasîstroke. "She's worked bard su far sud il's sbowing." said Marlins coach Emil Dimitrov. Teammates Rachel Robinson aud Michelle Cîsessens battled il ouI in the breasîstroke eveuls, with Rachel takiug first place by way of a finish judge's decision as lhey were lied lime wise in the 200m race. Michelle, however, took top spot lu the 100m event wiîb Rachel close behind for second. Iu the 200m individual medley, Rachel grabbed second while Michelle was jusl one place back. Erynu Mayes exhibiled uewfouud delermination, placing second lu the 200m backstroke sud third lu the 100m freestyle. She also swam 10 top-tO finishes lu tbree other events. Aiso, showîug strougly was Jamie Robinson, whose efforts lu the 200m breaststroke were good euough for the bronze miedal. She also placed top 10 lu the rest of ber races, wbile also coming away with top-I0 efforts were Jennifer Cîsesseus, Jacqueline Clarke, Laura Pmusha sud Tara Anderson. Fax ail of your team report.s and sports story ide-as to Steve LeBlanc at 878-4.943, or drop them off at 191 Main St. E. -_- 1