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A20 - The Canadian Champion, Friday, September 5, 2008 SPOiRTSî SPORTS EDITOR: STEVE LeBLANC e-mail sIobIonc@mlltoncandI0lchamPiofl.COm set for new season Milton juniors should sport more toughness and offensive balance, says new head coach By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Tooking over his roster before * practice Sunday, Bill McDougall seemed quite pleased with the IceHawks' hineup that'hl kick off the 2008/09 campaign tonight at Memonial Arena. But the focal point of his enthusiasm lies in something that won't be found in any stats col- umn. "We've got a surprjising amount of chemistry for this early in the year," said the clubs new head coach, who'll be joined by brother Rob and native Miltomian Bryan Gent behind the bench. "Tbat's so important. I've played on teams that looked great on paper but didn't go anywhere, and others that didn't seem to have much potential but just gelled and went on to ON TH4E MOVE keH&Mk newcomner Rkcky Beuhler skte win a Calder Cup." Pms a falen Jr Canadiens opponent durlng exhibition plat Added returning forward Kevin MICHEL ANIN/ SECIA TOTHE HAMIONCaister, "ht ail starts with the coach. MICHEL ~ANI I PECIL T THtCHA~0NHes brougbt in a great bunch of guys Here's what has changed with IceHawks and OPJHL Both the lceHawks and the Provincial Jr. A League bave undergone a number of key changes. Here's a quick look at the more prominent onles 10 bring fans up to speed. What's new with lceHawks Hired shortly after last spring's playoff ron, Bill McDougall - who's done a lot of development work and coached the Antigonish Bulldogs of the Maritime Jr. A league two years ago - la now running things behind the bench. He's joined by brother Roh and native Miltonian Bryan Gent. a In an effort to bolsten their advancement prognam, the teamn bas brought in Steeve Boulanger as its academic advisor and Bob Betts as a college liaison. - Another addition sees John OBrien step in as a risk assessment officen. At arm's length from the cuaching staff, he'll serve as a soUnd- ing board for playen concerns. What's new in league *While the re-alignment cauaed by the for- mation of the experimental or 'super' division doesn't mean much .upheaval for the IceHawks, they will see Vaughan join thein ranks in the newly-named MacKînnon Division, who lose only Hamilton to lte newly-created loop. * Run by former IceHawks owner Mario Forgione and coached hy ex-IceHawks skipper Randy Novak, the Bramalea Blues make their return to, the West (MacKinnon) and will play ouI of the Powerade Centre. * lnter-locking play has been resurrected, which will see Milton bave home-and-home play against Aurora and Collingwood, plus a home game with Seguin and a road trip t0 Huntsville. " A two-referee systemn ia now in place. * The league bas switched back to its previ- Oua post-season format, with eight teams in each division making the playoffs. and right now we're just clicking." Multon's lier 2 jr. A club probably isn't ready to dlaim any championship hardware just yet, but may well take another step forward on the long road back to ils former perennial contender days. if such progress occurs, itîIl be due largely 10 veteran Dillon Branco, who after a sensational playoff mun last spring is poised to be among the divisions - and perhaps leagues - top net- Together with [ellow returnee Steve Zoffranieri, the IceHawks may just have ils most capable - and more importantly, stable - goaltending tan- dem in the past three years. "Dillon's been selected for the Canada East camp (for lier 2 Jr. A world championships) and bas a good chance of making the team. 1 think that tells you how set we are between the pipes," said team, president and co- owner Dean Piett. Said McDougaîl, "I think we may have the best one-two goalie punch in the league." Offensively, the departure of David Vallorami - now toiling wrth UMaas- Lowell - bas to be considered the biggest single loss in recent memory About as influential to the club's success as any player in teamn history the diminutive centre amassed 87 points (32g, 55a) last season and bad a goal or multi-point performance in 19 of Miltons 22 victories. With that in mmnd, the IceHawks will need much more 'production hy committee' this season. McDougall bas every confidence they'll he able to deliver on that, with returning veterans like Kevin Caister, s e MORE on page A23 208.200 WINTER PROGRAMS REGISTRATION KILLS, DRILLSMI ->MI* HOUSE LEAGUE LOCADON: lishepod; Audiag ISTRATII DES: Dmwumne V0Inodaysi fl8-30pm 1uwbIo fi 1 ~ ila,,lêîoz.comlmliltonmadidawga pâlisi:n Moiitsv 7:0 -e 90111111ailo Forai irom "Handouta" LLhl IL) WW 3 k-in Reistratlan iahi SKILLS, DRILLS & GAMES: >W4I» iv end oi Nov. t~ide I l 0 :0-:0p SKI et lshulf Roding High Sohool HOUSE LEACUE: Decomber Ia Mid Aprit (door beau. doyure al bock of school) COST: enlîs, Drills & calffa - SOINo Houas Isagas - $*.00 ý -IMLLMENT: Seadia or"ppd aU refflal ory la oyg iaappoiiinii fieieoeeOe rera end aime nded Citon for Informration. Cai (905) 001-1875 <BIîm Sobroder)