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

Tonsofgreatbargahsfieebodacbag’agesamples FREEcookingflMhands-onlesmnummn tallsanddelidomtasfings International Centre, Hall 5 Thousandsofnewfoodsardrelated products Shop Savour April 23â€"25 Discover Enjoy unrme owns ReoeiveaSZOeâ€"giflcatdmuse Marv-impersonal“ 8AVE830FFREGULAR "’MI.‘ SPORTS: Stoufl'ville Spin't part new of 31-team OIAHL BY MICHAEL WWA mhayakawaOyrmgxorfl When you add water to a shot of whiskey you dilute the quality of it. 7 Smaller Jr.A league gets back together That analogy can also be applied to the current status of tier two junior A hockey - the more teams added the calibre of play tends to get diluted. Last weekend in Toronto, the board of govenors from teams representing the 36 combined Ontario Junior A Hockey League and Central Canadian Hockey League clubs asembled to address that issue with the intent to improve the on-ice product. Based on what tranSpired it appeared some positive headway was made as three teams ceased operations while four others merged into two. The Couchiching Terriers, 'Bramalea Blues and Seguin Bruins, members last season in the lGâ€"team Ontario Junior A Hockey League, elected to cease operations. The Ajax Attack, members of the Central Canadian Hockey League this past season, merged with league rival Pickering Panthers. The CCHL’s Bowmanville Eagles merged with league rival Cobourg Cougars. That icaves 31 tier twb Jr. Afteams to play in one circuit known as the Ontario Junior A Hockey League. Chfis Taxhbos, one of four Stoufiville Spir- it owners, attended the meetings and was pleased with what transpired._ H TWO FEWER DURHAM TEAMS it’s great,” he said. “We’re happy enewsm withdieresultsmavingforward.Wewillbein abetterleaguewithfewerteamsandwewill be puttingabetter product on the ice. “This move Was first and foremost." Mth the Terriers, Blues and Bruins folding shop, there will be a dispersal draft of players from those clubs. The lists of players from those three teams, he said, must be submit- ted by April 28. In the case of the Eagles and Attack merg- ing, Pickering and Cobourg will be allowed to protect 23 players each. A protected list from Pickering and Cobourg must be submitted by April 28, as well. K156 to be discussed ire potential rule changes and roster regulations including the use of 16-year-old players. - Mth 31 teams now remaining, Tambos said nothing has been laid out yet in temis of geographical divisional alignment. That could be résolVed at the next board of goVenor’s meeting on May 17. DMSIONS 10 BE AUGNED To get what contraction and amalgama- tion accomplished was a priority at last week- end’s meeting Tambos said. When theâ€"teams gather at the same time next year. Tambos did not discount the notion of a further reduction of teams. “This move was first and foremost. We’re now happy with where things are,” he said. “I think we will be a much more competitive league and there will be a greater efl'ort to put a better product on the ice. “We Want this to be the best Ir. A league in Ontario and eventually Canada.”