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<SPORTS M SPORTS EDITOR: STEVE LeBLANC e-mail sleblanc@miltoflcafadiaflchampiOflCom GRAHAM PAINE / CANADIAN CHAMPION B.C. BOUND: Lindsay Smith (Ieft) and Samantha Moase are part of the E.C. Drury fiîeld hockey team that headed out yesterday for a seven- day competitive tour of Brtsh Columbia. Rusk takes over as IceHawks' bench boss TbereIl1 be a familiar face bcbind the lccHawks' bencb thîs season, jut not tbe one originally expected. Recenîly bîred (o take tbe reins for 2009/10, Rob McDougall bas dccided that witb work commilments tbe headi coacbing mandle would be just too mucb îo îake on. Hes opted instead to assume a scouting post with tbe local Jr. A club. Ibus owner Dean Pîett bas bired native Miltonian Mike Rusk - wbo served witb tbe team as an assistant under Randy Novak wben Piett first took over tbe teamn îwo years ago - to lead the IceHawks. A nintb-round draft pick uf tbe Chicago Blackhawks in tbe 1993 NHL Entry Draft, tbe former OHL defence- man recenîly moved back to the area after a lengîhy pro career tbat was wrapped ctp with the Central Hockey League's Fort Worth Brabamas. Hired Monday aftemnoon, the 34-vear- old said bes excited about tbe opportu- nity but admits bey got a big cballenge abead. 1 know the league, but ils sîill goîng to be a major learning curve," said Rusk, wbo officially took over the Young tearn iust 72 bours before its season opener. joining him bebind the bencb suili be assistant Roger Hunt, wbo's back in the area and looking to build up bis coach- ing resume in Canada after a 15-year stini in tbe United Kingdom, suhere among other assignments be coached the national mens and junior leams. Rounding dut tbe coacbing staff is Paul Micallef, originally bired to serve under McDougall, wbom he'd played with for several years and worked wiîb at the minor level. Micallef, wbose son Cbris îs part of tbis year's roster, will pull double duty as an assistant coach and GM under Piett. Challenging year ahead for t'Hawks Big holes tofll upfront for young Milton squad By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF can Picit Iý11 I:0,tm :2 hi 1:11k iiti AncI an carly-scasdt7 stretc b tbat iniluclc s gamncs wtb veleran clubs ltkc tbe Oakvillc Blacles ancl cllcncl tng league cbamnpion Kingston Voyageurs - wbom Milton opens ts expanded 56-gamce 2009/10 campaign against tomorrow nîgbî (on tbe road) - certainlq suon't alloss tbe rookies lim tol ease mbt tbe revamiped Ontarios Jr. A League. Nevertbcless, tbe lceHatsks' owner, presîdeni ancd general manager beads mbt tbe ncw season witb an encouraging air. "We're a Young leamn, but w'seve got s(71e talented players ancd once we gel past the learning curve 1 tbiîîk we'll be aIl rigbt.' Ibat may be a sornewbat opîimîstic ouîlook, gîven tbat tbc lceHawks base lost toost of tbe forwards ibat powered îbeir sixtb-placc finisb lasi ycar, includtng 38- point producer Tyler Stotbers, wbo jusi recenîly opîed to join ibe defending Sutberland Ccip (Jr. B) cbampion Brantford Exposîtors. But Pietl belteves mucb of tbe departing [irepower will be replenisbecl via a bancîful o7f promisiîîg mîdgeî graduates. Most notable among tbemn are Ben Walsb and Andrew Radjenovic, offensive sîandouîs wiîb tbe - se RENAUD on page A21 2009-10 FALL & WINTER PROGRAMS REGISTRATION BOYS & GIRLS SKILLS, DRILLS AND GAMES & HOUSE LEAGUE For Boys and Girls aged 6-15 SkilIs, Drills and Gamnes (Sept 21 to Nov 30) $95 -House League (Dec to April) $140 DIVISIONS, DATES AND TIMES DAWG (ages 12- 1 -9 Wedpesdlays 7:00 -l 830 p.m TRAINED PUPS (ages 9411)'Tuesday (7:30 - 8:30) and Thursday ( 7-8 pm) PUPPY (ages 6-8) Tauesday (6:30 - 7:30) and Thuarsday (7-8 pin) REGISTRATION: 1. Please visit our seebsite for more detala and te owelond thue registration fories. (wee.miltonmadddawgsconi) 2. Registration Niglut on Tuesday Sept 1a, 7- 8:30 pin ai Bishop Reding H.S.) (1120 Main St. E.> (rioor beside daycare ai back of schoo> Novice Boys Ui10 (bora 2000) Baatam Boys U 13 (bore 1997) Major Midget Boys U16 (bora 1994) Midget Sept 24 & (>e 5 7- 9 pri) Sept 28 & Oc[ I (7-9 pm) Sept 21 & Sept 28(8130 Il10 pin Sept 24& Bsshplsedig H.S. (gym C) shop Redioti.S.(gym C) Bh:p Reng H.S. Bish:p R Cosach: Mr. Rsolisll Coach: Mr. RssLyos Coach: Mr. Brian Schs:sde Coach: M îrhill@navigais: sssjdaiçwm( lsIy,:sbaskstbaillyhdî1-a îschrdebjLh:50s1.'555 (dannyh or s * l -rdrjhtalcr Rep Team Tryouts 2009-10 Milton Madd Dawgs Basketball Home of Eight OBA Gold Medal Winning Teams! Girls U15 (bora 1995) O.: 1(8930 eding H.S. r, nny Hasili:on Major Midget Girls U 16 (bora 1994 Sept 23 îW35 (1 & Sept 24:(7-8:30) l::(sp Reing5 H.S. Coach:5 Mr, /uck Ali1:ac junior Girls U 19 (borm 91) Sept 21 & Sept 28: 5:3ýý 01 O:.h::p Red:::g HS. oach M. Rob Somss.