The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 12, 2013 | 24 HALTON TRANSMISSION 559 SPEERS RD., #UNIT 3 905-842-0725 www.haltontransmission.com Jon Kuiperij Sports Editor sports@oakvillebeaver.com Sports U E by Brian McNair "Connected to your Community" T R U E B L Laughton willing to do `whatever they want' for Canada at world juniors Offensively, he's having a career year with 24 goals and 48 points through Sunday's 5-2 Metroland Media Group Generals win over the Belleville Bulls, making Laughton the highest-scoring OHL player Scott Laughton would fill the water bottles invited to the Canadian camp. "This was one of my big goals coming into if that was the role given to him by Hockey Canada, but the Oakville native will head the year, trying to crack this roster and be into the MasterCard Centre today (Thursday) successful at this tournament, so I'm really looking forward to the opportunity and what with a lot more than that on his mind. Laughton, who admitted to being disap- I can possibly achieve here," said Laughton, a first-round pick of the Flyers in pointed at not getting a crack at 2012. last year's world junior hockey "It's my final year in junior and championships, is likely to play a having some experience at the pro prominent role on this year's Canalevel, I think they just want me to dian squad, which will gather for bring that mentality to that camp to a training camp this weekend in try and be successful and help out Toronto. the younger guys when need be." The 19-year-old Oshawa GenerBarring any NHL additions, the als centre brings a wealth of expeCanadian camp has only three playrience with him to the camp, iners with world junior experience, cluding a five-game stint with the Scott Laughton including star forward Jonathan Philadelphia Flyers last season and Drouin of the Halifax Mooseheads, gold medals at both under-17 and who suffered a mild concussion in Quebec under-18 championships in the past. "I want to make the team first off and then league play on Dec. 6. Apart from Drouin, the just work my way from there," said Laugh- most recognizable name on the roster is likely ton, one of 15 forwards currently vying for Connor McDavid, the 16-year-old sensation with the Erie Otters. 13 spots. "You might not see as much skill as the "Whether it's an offensive role or trying to shut down the other team's offensive lines previous years, but I think the team has a lot like I have in past U18s and U17s experienc- of smart players on it where we can be effies, whatever they want me to do, I'm ready to cient in our checking and things like that," do it," he added. "At these tournaments, you said Laughton. "I think we have a high level have to park your ego at the door and focus of hockey IQ on the team." The Canadians will be looking for their first on the team." Laughton's versatility is likely to hold him gold medal at the tournament since 2009, in good stead with the coaching staff, head- which marked the end of a five-year reign. ed by Brent Sutter of the Red Deer Rebels. Last season, Canada finished a disappointing Laughton is strong on faceoffs, has manned fourth in Russia. Teams have until Dec. 25 to set their final the point on the power play for the Generals this season and is a force at both ends of the rosters. The tournament runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Malmo, Sweden. rink. Former Toronto Maple Leafs great Darryl Sittler poses for a photo with Oakville atom A Hornets girls' hockey rep players Brooke Belzar (left) and Fiona Gervin. Sittler was at Oakville's Canlan Ice Sports Tuesday to greet fans as part of a Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Ice Truck event to promote next month's NHL outdoor game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. | photo by Nikki Wesley -- Oakville Beaver -- @Halton_Photog