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The Canadian Champion, Frday, May 10, 2002- 91 Tennis anyone? Seventeen-year-old Scott Nemeth prepares to return a shat Saturday aflernoon during opening- day festivities at the Milton Tennis Club. The local club is now in its last sea- son on Childs Drive. Next spring the club will move to the new sports park at Derry Road and Commercial Street. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE ,Merchants land Brampton coach and GM Capitals' top brass headed to Milton for upcoming season By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion Mario Cicchillo and Dave Brown brought chamnpionship honours to the Brampton Capitals. Now they'll look to do so locally, as tbe newest recruits of the Jr. A Merchants. Fresh off their second league title victory in three years - this time against Wellington - Brampton's general manager and head coach, plus much of tbeir support staff, bave signed on with Milton. Tbe deal was finalized last weekend and made public Tuesday. Accompanying the two are goaltending instruc- tor Jeff Battah and assistant Jeff Richards and support staff member Jason Harakal. Also on board for the coming season is former Bramalea Blues assistant Mike Currer - who was hired earlier this spring. Merebants' co-owner Dave Gagner had decid- cd to step down from the coaching post shortly after the 2001/02 season ended. He'll now head up a player development program that'll include the addition of a 'skills only' weekly practice and more emphasis on off-ice traing. Wanted a change Whiile some have speculated that the move stems from rumours about the possible sale of the Capitals, Brown and Ciechillo both state they simply wanted a change. Remarked Brown, "People say 'You've won in Brampton, but can you do it somewhere else?' "I see it (move) as a challenge." Merchants president Mario Forgione had ini- tially wanted just Brown's GM services for the coning season, but was won over by Cicchillo's strategies and calming influence on the bench as the playoffs progressed. "He's gos a good system and proved to us that he 's got tbe ability to, get players to respond to him," said Forgione, who was particularly impressed by Cicchillo's efforts during a couple of tight league championship battles with Wellington. "He expecta a lot from the as well." Impressed by GM In Brown, Forgione believes he's acquired one of the brightest young minds in the league - capable of identifying players and selling them on the Merchants. Added Forgione, "Dave's also vcry pro league. l'd gotten to know him at the meetings. He's concemned with what's best for the league, not juat his own team." Enjoying a .715 winning percentage over the past tbree seasons in Brampton, Brown and Cicchillo both said that remaining together with a new teamn was a key selling point in weighmng their recent offers - which came from a num- ber of teams includmng at least one other from the Western Conference. "'That (package deal) was a bonus," said Cicchillo. "We worked for a good guy in Branmpton in (owner) Mike Spadacini. In talking witb Dave Gagner and Mario Forgione, 1 feit they were just like Mike. They just want to wmn. There's a great management in place here, probably tbe best in the conference." So what does Cicchillo offer in rctum? "An eye for talent and a system tbat if 21 guys will play, we'Il win," he explamned. And how about Brown? "I hustie for players. 1 can relate to lods - identifying what they need and are looking for. 'm a straight shooter," Milton's new general manager stressed. The Merchants' new personnel will offlcially begin duty in two weeks at the club's prospects camp at Westwood Mrena in Etobicoke. MOTHER'S DAY GIFI IDEAS. This year, instead of flowers, get your mother... organvauzed! Choose from our many r a i e ora0es such as e Hangers * Jwllr containers e Baskets *Cosmetic organizers e & more -, Free in-home consulttion. * THE CANADIAN CHAMPION FRIDAY MAY 10, 2002 47