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The Canadien Champion, Friday, June 1, 2001-27 «/Honoured for his efforts 85 Steeles Avec, Unft 6 UJQU'W Eric Ellison proudly displays his 3M Coaching Recognition Award, which he recently Atîl received on behaif of the MMHA and national amateur hockey. li'nfvertCa~r ente VOLKSWAGEN & AD /,M erchants b g n r b id n Specialist In: Authorized BOSCH service w it be in t i1u0i: 0 e IMPORT & DOMESTIC , FUEL INJECTION & DIESELS acqu stio Ut.UIUVIIIVUSED CAR SALES & SERVICE By STEVE LeBLANC The North York Canadian bantamn graduate stands 583Man t. Mito, nRloU LT J The Champion 5 10 and weighs in at 170 1ks From a physical stature 58 Mi878-5330,Onaro LT J tneMuonivercans av aume îîauîIdnoin,,.,h'snot ea2 tni m iatinçhbut according 9 5 8 85 3 ahead of them. Coming on board 10 help with construction tis time around is a young defenceman whom the local juniors hope can add an offensive dimension 10 the blueline. Acquired from the Toronto Marîboro bantams, Sean Mole was among a handful of players identitied last season as promising prospects for the delending Westemn Conference champions - who have a couple of big spots tu filI on defence with the loss of graduaI- ing leaders John Nadalin and Chris Rook. Whcther or not the 16-year-old Oakvil le resident can provide much leadersbip is still open for debate, but according to general manager Nick Slawson there's nu questioning his puck-handling ability. "He's very poised and smart with the puck," said Milton's GM. 'He could be the natural offensive defenceman we've been lacking." The 6'l1", 170 lbs. rearguard was recently drafted in the second round by the OHL's Sarnia Sting - who four rounds later picked up left winger Dan Carcillo, another youngster the Merchants are considering for their 2001/02 roster. to Slawson the high flying forward shows shades of "a Ryan Eby type player, very feisty." The two players were among three dozen at Iast weckend's rookie camp at Mississaugas Iccland Arena. About a dozen of them wiIl be selected to com- pete at the Ontario Hockey Association Referee School Toumrament at the University of Waterloo June 23 10 27. Milton will be looking to secure its third straight championship at the rookie showcase. From there they'll invite about a handful of those youngsters back for the main camp in August. With Nadalin, Rook, Andy Rozak, Dan DeLong, Andrew Francone, JocI Cameron and James Coleman ail gone to overage, the Merchants have some awtully big holles to fli - especially when it comes to charac- ter and leadership. Remarked Slawson, "Those are detinitely our two biggest needs, and its not getting any casier finding those type of players in the league." Milton's personnel are ail due back for another sea- son, although around the division Georgetown and Burington have both made coaching changes. STop seedsfall in high school bal It's been said time and time again that the playoffs are a whole new season. But neyer bas that old adage beld more credence than tbis past week during opening round action of Halton Regional basebaîl - especially witbin the Volpe Division, where top two seeds Bisbop Reding and Milton District suffered quick exits. The Royals' lack of pitching finally caught up with tbem at Maplehurst Park Tuesday afternoon, when E.C. Drury - wbo necded a comc-from-behind tic breaking victory over Iroquois Ridge just to make the playoffs - erased two separate deticits to oudistance them 10-7. Spartan Pete Nicolaicbuk's clutcb hitting down the stretcb finally put tings away in a seesaw battle that saw the lead change banda four différent imes before il was ail over. 'Me E.C. designated biter drove in the winning mun as well as another for inaurance in consecutive at-bats. Jon Gleed was credited with the win for Drury. Meanwhile, three infield mrors in the seventb inning proved to be MD's undoing - as they wcre edgcd by Loyola 7-5 Tuesday at Brain Best Park. Those miscues led to thrcc runs against the Mustangs, who led until the fourtb frame. Jarrett Konkie was solid defensivcly in centre field and first base and delivered a couple of its, as did DH John Melito. The loss was doubly disappointing since MD had beaten Loyola convincing in regular scason play. Drury went on 10 semnifinal crossover play in Burlington Wcdnesday moming and wcrc blanked by perennial powerhouse M.M. Robinson 5-0. The Rams have been rankcd top tbrce across thc Greater Toronto Area ail season long and delivered a pair of two-run humera en route to victory againat the gutsy but overmnatcbed Spartans. Ail three local teams tinisbed .500 or better during the regular season.