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26-Tho Canadian Champion, Friday, February 6, 2004 Watch Tuesday's for more great Valetine Specials to make you Sweethea rt kSniIe. Knowles happy over jump to divisiond1eading IceDogs By JON KUIPERIJ The Champion MISSISSAUGA - Quality over quanflty. 'Mat basically sums up Daryl Knowles' feelings about bis recent call-up from the Georgetown Junior A Raiders to tbe OHL's Mississauga IceDogs. Traded from the St. Michael's Majors to the IceDogs last October, but spending most of this season in Georgetown, tbe Milton forward was cailed up a few weeks ago - sbortly after being named to the Provincial Jr. A League's North/West ail-star teamn. In accepting the cati-up, Knowles departed a Raiders squad that bas dominated the West Conférence this season - with a 40-5-3-1 record - and appears poised to take a legitimate mun at the league championsbip. However, Mississauga is also in con- tention for gold, currently leading the Eastemn Conférence with a 28-13-7-2 mark. It's not a bad deal at ail," Knnwles said after belping the IceDogs to a 3-2 overtime vic- tory over the Windsor Spitfires last Friday in Mississauga (a contest that saw former Milton Merchants star Brad Efthimniou pot the gamne-winner). "1 made my decision based on where 1 would develop more as a hockey player. (Mississauga has) better coacbing (for- mer Rames bench boss Greg Gilbert) and it's better competition, just one step higher. Hopefuily we can have a good playoff mun here." Looked to for offense in Georgetown, as evidenced by bis 22 goals and 39 assista in 37 games, Knowles is now utilized as a physical-type rote player in ÀdfkMississauga. Estimating be now receives half the ice time be did with the Raiders, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound winger bas collected a goal and tbree assists and is a plus-S in 13 games for Mississauga. "la Georgetown 1 was a go-to guy, but bere I'm just more of a typical grinder," the 19-year-old said. 'THI put the puck in the net bere and there, but t'ma not relied on to score goals at aIl. "My ice time's been cut lis balf, but its a quick pace. Georgetown is ver undisciplined, with shifis lasting a minute-and-a-half or two minutes. Heme it's all 30 seconds or 45 seconds and off the ice. But we roll (lisses) Daryl fairly consistent and I bave no issues Knowles with the ice time." Knowles admitted be's disappointed at not bemng given an opportunity to play on the IceDogs' special teams units, but noted it just motivates hlm to "go harder." Mis NUL entry draft year well bebind him, Knowles bas mecently talked to several Canadian universities about potenfial scbolarships and is also exploring opportunities with East Coast Hockey League and other sem-i-professional squads. Fa emreports or spots story idéasta Steve L.e8lanc~ anylime ai (95 878-4943, or e-mail them to sleblanc@&haftonsearch.com. CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR TAXES?, *MffE Uv m TAiY UV jeNiDw Missisauga: Head Office 905-949-2222 INSTANT TAX REFUND MILTON MALL 905-875-3726 GEORGETOWN MAIL 905-877-5884 OVER 10 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU 1- 866-TAXWI DE WWW.,TAXWI DE N ET R A TES R E A SONA BL E [ J .î