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The Canadian Champion, Fday, April 8, 2005-21 steblanc@hattonsearch.com Melanson gui des AE2 atomns to biîg season Finding balance between hard work _&71 andfun key to success, says coach I ý4 By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion Short, satisfying and suecessful. That pretty mucb encapsulates Dan Melanson's coaching tenure with tbe Milton AE2 aloms. A former major-junior prospect in bis bomelown of Sudbury, be'l hand over the teamn reins next season allbough tbe decision to do so cerlainly doesn't stem from anylbing negative. "My youngest son starts Timbits this fai., and with tbree boys in bockey I'd kind of like to step back and be more of a bockey dad," explained Melanson, wbo Fo the OV'E assumed control of tbe AE2 atoms tbis ca past year after a sea- son spent as an assis- tant. 'Maybe l'Il belp some leami out, but being a bead coacb is a litle tou nîucb rigbt now.- That's not tbe essi- est cboice to make especially after wbaî was no doubt a rewarding and prosperous 2004/05 campaign. I-is Winterbawks were one of only two local teams to reacb tbe Tri Counly finals, and punctuated tbe year witb Sunday's cbampionsbip victory at tbe April Fools Classic. Those are migbty impressive feats for a group tbat just a year earlier could count tbeir total wins on one band - and stilI bave a couple of fingera remaining. "It was a great year and tbe toumnament victory was just a perfect way to end it," said tbe AE2 atoms skipper, wbo recenlly got tbe nod as Aprif s Cbampion Coacb of tbe Montb. "I give tbe kids aIl tbe credit for tbe success. Tbey worked really bard." But Melanson's contribution to tbe team's significant strides catit be over- looked - not according to nominalor J.J. Stimson. "He works us bard but makes it fun aIl at once," said tbe young sniper. "He's very fair and knows tbe game well." Ecboing tbose sentiments is feliow for- ward Andrew Smitb. "He runs practice really well. He gives us good feedback and always encourages us." Added motber Jan Smitb, "Dan's very fair witb tbe kids and is an all-around good coacb. 'be kids really liked bim.- m Melanson stressed tbat keeping tbe younger players motivated is ail about bal- ance - allotting time for botb serious preparation and fun at practice. "It can be a cballenge sometimes. Ive also found most youngslers don't respond well to pressure, so I tried 10 keep it ligbt- bearted before gamnes. They îended to play better tbat way." And wben tbey weren't quite up to par, well tbal's wbere anotber vital componient of good coacbing came into play. "You've got to be fian pfront witb Of th, GAM players. You praise iwietlier wben tbey play well. but not wvben ~ tbey don't.' be explained. LC Fortunately, tbe AE2 atoms didn't bave many of tbose sbaky stretcbes and, according to tbeir bencb boss, tbat can be directly attrib- uted to adequale preparation. "A coacb I bad ai peewee really tried to bammer tbat point bome, tbat if you work ý1DnMlno bard in practi.e il Il usually translate into is ail smiies aller success corne game time.- rpigu Wbile Melanson may not be bebînd the s uccessful sea- bencb next season, cbances are belIl neyer son with the AE2 be too far from tbe arena. atom and being 'Tve bçen paIn now f'or 35 years. ail named Champion tbree of my boys will be in bockey next oc o h year and my wife teacbes figure skating. Month Tbe rink's like a second bome,'" be GRAHAM PAINE quipped. ,Local duo help Raiders advance to finals The Georgetown Raiders will bost tbe all-Dntario Dudley Hewitt Cup later ibis montb. but may go in as more tban just tbe automnatie entry. Tbanks to some key contributions by a couple of yrural Miltonians. Georgetown stamped ils ticket to tbe Provincial Jr. A League finals Wednesday nigbt - wbilewasbing tbe defending national cbampion Aurora Tigers 2-0 in front of a jam-packed gaine- seven crowd at Gordon Alcott Memorial Arena. Centre Rob Sgarbossa set up Jay Sprague's game winner four-and-a-balf mýinutes into tbe second period - witb a nifty feed in front - and won a number of crucial face-offs. Sidelined by injury for most of tbe Nortb/West series, veleran blueliner Dan Rogers was back for juat bis second gamne againat tbe Tigers and belped suffo- cale tbemi witb some steller defensive-zone coverage. Meanwbile, fellow Miltonian Kevin Parker and tbe Port Hope Predators went lu a seventb and deciding game of tbeir own against tbe St. Miebanîs Buzzers last nigbl. afler tecuring a 4-t victory Wednesday. 'be league finals could start as early as tomorrow evening,.wbiie tbe four-teain provincial cbampionsbip loumnament runs April 26 10 30. Rab Sgarbossa Dan Rogers