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The Canadian Champion, Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - A21 OHL qrad takes his game to the professional ranks By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Elgin Reid bas gotten a taste of pro hock- ey, and is 00W rcady for a fu-course serving. That officially began yesterday in Pennsylvania, where the 21-year-oid defenceeman started training camp with the Amenican Hockey Leagues (AHL) Wilkes- Barre/Scranton Penguins. Milton's longest-serving OHLer in receot memory - having highlighted a five-year, 300-plus game tenure with a trip to tbe 2005 Memoriai Cup in Londuon - recentiy signed a two-way deal with Wilkes-BarrelScranton and its East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) afhiliate, the Wvheeiing Nailers. Needless tr say, he's excited about wbat lies ahead. "'Us a great organization and l'm really looking forward to the season," said the six- loot, 180-pounder. -1 had some other offers, but it caime dlown to, who seemed most inter- ested. Hey, you go where you're most want- Reid's jump to the pros courtes a year later than initially expected. Around this time iast summier he was ail set to join Texas' Rio Grand Valley in the Central Hockey League wben the Windsor Spîrfires came looking for an overage defenceman. The opportunity to anchor a work-in- progress blueline and showcase 'al' of bis on-ice assets - after being used primarily as an enforcer duning a three-and-a-half-year mun with the Ottawa 67s - was just too attractive ter pass up. And the rugged defenceman certainly jus- tifîed the tbree draft picks dealt away to, acquire bima, recording eight goals and 34 ,sssi',5' e ci4 gailses list Reid signs two-way contract with AHL Penguins latana 'astor's Adr b5ticbo Drawving and Painting Lessons Ages a& Up CLASSES ONCE A WEEK September - June 270 Sherwood Rd., Milton 905-876-9239 1 cin isAie&W l in Milton & Campbellville BEAVERS 5-7 years aid Yf f& 4YOe CURS 8-10 years old orilMer udarm ia%1 SCOUTS 11-14 years oid iBOmI W1* VENTURERS 15-18 years ol ai m ROVERS 18-26 years aid lumit eonr ADULTS 18 & up YS oir lo iîk Mytn adminli CM MzbMM -242 «4 da"', wcoutcu.èalIHcoutwu lIkbN! Living WeU Pi Iates1 Mamm&maPlnN "Pilates For Ail Bodies" 905m875m0075 OAK VILLE 2251 Westoak Trails BIvd., Unit 4 MILTON Bronte Corporate Centre 410. Bronte S., Suite 201, South Entrance www.livingwiellpilates.com CîiStuiofor ldeils. Sespt 812!08 1TONKAAT D(RM ________ season. That strong finish in the 'O' no doubt put him T ~ I on the radar of a lot more [X~/Iscouts - and subse- JJ quently opened the door Y to the opportunity he's "- dabout to pursue. Elgin Reid "Oh for sure it raised my profile. Going back and playing with Windsor was the best deci- sion 1 could have made," said Reid. "Beyond the tragedy with Mickey (Renaud), it was such a great year. i really got to prove i cao be a mobile, puck-moving defencemnan." Building on his productive conclusion to, Major-junior play, the local blueliner had a brief but impressive run with the ECHSs Elmira Jackais this past spring. Seeing pienty of ice time - with cali-ups to the AHL Milwaukee Admirais thinning goials and two assists sn the last five regular season games and addcd a pair of assists in a four-game first-round loss (besî-of-five) to the Reading Royals Said Reid, "That was a great experience. By the end 1 was on the first-line powerplay and it really gave me a chance tr see what the leagues ail about.' Witb the Penguins' organization loaded with youog talent and Wilkes- Barre/Scranton fresh off a run to, the Calder Cup finals, the OHL grad knows heIll be hard-pressed to see much time in the AHL this season. He need look no further than fellow Milton blueliner ion Gieed tu see just how much bouncing around between leagues can go with the eariy stages of ones pro career. "Yeah itîl be tough. Ive just got to work hard and fit inter a role."