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26-ThçanadanÇ ampion, Friday, June 20, 2003 26 - The Canadian Cý TH ANDA CAPINFIDAJ2, 2 Il yo IceHawks prospect ready for showcase -/Cup hopefuls ready to ride Above, Miltonian Chris Chrlstoforou (rlght) - jalned at Tuesday's post-position draw by gu.st drawmasterand NHL coach- lng legend Scotty Bowman - will drive favourite Allamerican Native In tomorrow night's Pepsi North Amorica Cup et Woodblne Racetrack. At right, Mlton-area traîner Bon Wllace (I*eftnd local driver Merlo BaiIlargeon will be banklrug on a strong showlng from their entry, Totally Western. Photos by GRAHRAM PAINE TOTALLY WESTERN Lizon aims to crack hometown Jr A club By JON KUIPERIJ The Champion Many Canadian kids grow up dreaming of playing for their local NHL team. For now, Millonian Erick Lizon ssill gladly seule for cracking the lineup of his hometown Tier 2 Jr. A squad. The I 7-year-old defenceman wilI take the nexi slep lowards ihat goal tis week- end when he paricipaies in tbe annual OHA Reterees School Tournament ai the University of Giuelph. The competilion will feaîure eigbî îeams and is for Jr. A hopefuls only. The 20 play- ers on Mion's lineup were selecîed ai the lceHawks' (formerly the Merchanîs) spring prospects camp lasi month. The sommer shosscase- combined wiîh îhe clubs, weeklv sommer skates - ssii! prepare plaxers f'or trynuts in Augusi. Stesýe Llîison and Mike Novak are other local players ss,ýho'll panticipate. Staving grounded Lizon, ssho played f'or Muiton's AA midgets last season, is both optiînisîîc and realistic about bis chances of cracking the lcellassks' lineup ibis fall. (A loi of the other players> are beiter skaiers ihan me, but 1 play physical and work bard:- said tbe 6'3". 182 lbs. bluelin- er. a surprise standout ai Mion's prospects camp. "If 1 do ss'eight training and plyomeîrics ibis sommer 10 improve my acceleraîjon. 1 can gel a good crack atiti.- lceHawks director David Dermo bas been impreýsed by wbat he's seen of Lizon s0 far. "Erick's a big physical presence wbo uses bis size 10 bis advantage,- said Dermo. "He plays a dlean, physical game and he fmnishes tbe game tbe way be starts il... With the lceHawks losing about îwo- tbirds of tbe 2002/03 teamn to the NCAA or the over-age limit, Dermo believes compe- tiion ai ibis year's camp is wide open. "Are tbere opporlunilies 10 make tbe îeam Ibis year'? Yes, absolutely," he slressed. -We're looking for everytbing goalies, defencemen and forwards. We graduaîed several players 10 the NCAA, we had a couple over-agers lasi year, and we're lrying 10 accommodate some otber players wbo wanl 10 play cdoser lu bome." Dermo says the IceHawks would relish having a local player on tbeir rosier. -Tbere is some mîsconceplion we don't wanl local kids," he says. "We give Milton kids every benefit of tbe doubi. We're always a league leader so some kids seem 10 bave ibe mindseî il would be casier to make lesser îeams.- Willing to play anywhere Alîbougb Lizon bas playcd defence most nI bis hockey life. he's agrecable to cbang- ing positions to improve bis chances of' making the club. Il wouldn't boîber nie playing torssard. l'11 just kccp bangîng around.' he six s. -Wberever they want me, lIlI go." Sucb s'ersatiliiv bas proven beneficial for players such as Wade Belak of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but il is anoiber member of the Buds thai Lizon looks 10 emulate. Gary Roberts inspires me. his beart and the ssay be loves tbc gamne jusi like 1 do,' Lizon says. -He does a lot tbat isnit notice- able Io tbe casual hockey fan. Wben 1 watch a couple clips of Roberts il gels me going.- Even if be doesn'î play for the lceHawks Ibis coming season, Lizon says the experi- ence of nrying oui will pay dividends in the future. "l'm still only 17, and 1 still bave a few years lefi 10 try and make il," says the Milion District Higb Sehool 121h grader. l'Il see il as a positive wlîeîber I'm cul or nul. 1 still bad fun, and 1 gui lu play hockey during the summer. Al 1 can do is go hard every lime l'm on the ice." f[Clarke"s Golf ww.clarkesgolf.com GOLF MILS FREE MAXELI A LAiO WII BAIG Rog. Price 89.85 GBBII Driver & 2 Fairway Woods SpeOGOLF'TRENDS i -' UntIa. mù QD,) ~ A ~., i à 1 L-