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PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, August 18, 1987 -- § Viewpoint by John B. McClelland & LET THEM STAY HOME If it's only mid-August, how come my thoughts are on a winter sport? Because Harold Ballard is dead right in his opinion that he would never have hockey players from Russia wearing the blue and white of his Maple Leafs. Most of the time, Ballard's opinions on just about anything border on the outrageous, but I agree with his thinking about the possibility of Soviet national stars being allowed to play hockey in the NHL. The story about this possibility surfaced last week in Sweden where the Soviet team is tuning up for the Canada Cup in September with some exhibition games against the Swedes. Apparently, the Soviet coach sug- gested it is not beyond the realm of possibility that several of his star players in their late 20's might be allowed to play professionally on this side of the Atlantic. The reaction of Harold Ballard to this was predic- table. He doesn't like the Russians, period. He won't allow the Soviet team to play at Maple Leaf Gardens. Heck, he won't even allow the Circus in there. The Soviets, for some mysterious reason, appear 'at least willing to talk about the possibility that five of their super stars (three forwards and two defensemen) might be permitted to play in the NHL. I say, leave them home. The five in question are all of decent hockey left, why should the NHL be doing the Hussisns any favours by allowing these guys to play ere? It would cost a small fortune for an NHL team to get one of these guys in uniform and you can bet that .every penny of that money would find its way back in- in their late 20's and while they may have a few vears _ to the Soviet hockey program. I suggest that NHL teams can better spend their loose cash by pumping it into the development of young hockey talent in Canada. If they really want to do something with their extra money, why not make some hefty donations to Minor Hockey organizations in Canada to be used for clinics, training of coaches, even the purchase of more ice time for practise sessions. Why send millions of dollars to Russia for the services of a handful of Soviet players when those dollars would be used exclusively for the development of hockey talent in that country? And besides I don't think that one or two Soviet stars on an NHL team is a very sound investment. Sure, they shine in the Olympics and special international tour- naments, but I wonder how they would hold up to an 80 game NHL schedule with the constant travel from coast to coast. Would a handful of them improve the quality of hockey in the NHL? Would they put more fans in the arenas? Not likely. So why bother? If the Soviet hockey bosses indeed are serious about allowing a few of their players to come here to play, the cost could likely be as high as $1 million per player per season. Think of all the young hockey talent that would benefit if this kind of money were thrown their way over the next two or three years. Bringing the Russians to the NHL would be a novel- ty. If would attract the attention of the media but the price tag would be astronomical and the only beneficiary would be those youngsters now learning the game in Moscow or Leningrad. It would be an invest- ment in the past. Sinking that money into development of Canadian youngsters would be a hockey investment for the future. The Soviets have never done anybody any hockey favours. Why should anybody be doing some for them? Let their over-the-hill stars finish their careers in Italy or Switzerland. COACHING Still with the winter sport of hockey, there are plen- ty of openings for coaches at the House League level in the Port Perry Minor organization. In fact, as of right now, the organization has just five coaches for 20 House League teams. Minor Hockey President Don Steele says this is not an unusual situa- tion in August. A lot of people don't want to make a com- mitment in the middle of summer to coach a hockey team the coming winter. But the season in Port Perry will be getting under- way in about five weeks time, so if you're interested in taking a House League team, get in touch with Don Steele or any member of the executive. Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you that coaching a House League hockey team is a lot of fun and has its on rewards. (A few frustrations at times as well, but that comes with the territory). (Turn to page 6) Yesterday's Memories 70 YEARS AGO Wednesday, August 22, 1917 Mr. Charles Patterson and children, Philadelphia, are holiday- ing with his parents Mr. and Mrs. George Patterson, Prince Albert. Mr. W.J. White of Moncton, N.B., has been appointed manager of the Port Perry Branch of the Canadian Bank of Commerce. A barn belonging to Wm. Smith, M.P., at Columbus was destroyed by lightning. 45 YEARS AGO August 20, 1942 Mr. Percy Densham sold out his restaurant business to Mr. W.S. Taylor of Toronto. Mr. Densham plans to go into munition work. Mr. Byron Holtby, Manchester, has recently joined the R.C.0.C. and is stationed at Exhibition Park, Toronto. Miss Ruth Carnegie entertained at a presentation for Jean Hopkins, a recent bride. 35 YEARS AGO Thursday, August 21, 1952 Work has been started on a new Water Tank for Port Perry. At a Holstein consignment sale at Oakville, Mr. Max Heidt was the big buyer of the day, purchasing eight head. Mr. Bill Fitsell, Lindsay, has joined the staff of the Port Perry Star. The Lions Club are holding a series of dances in aid of the Port Perry Hospital. 30 YEARS AGO Thursday, August 22, 1957 A new Texaco station is now open for business on the busy 7A Highway and Oshawa Road. Charles Reesor will be in charge of the new station. Dr. M.B. Dymond, has announced his retirement from active practice. To carry on his busy practice, he has secured the services of Dr. John Diamond, a graduate of Glasgow University. 10 YEARS AGO Wednesday, August 17, 1977 Dr. Matthew B. Dymond and his wife Jeanne agreed to act as honourary chairmen for this year's fundraising campaign for the Central Seven Association. Port Perry Printing moved from Queen Street to a new location on North Street. Last Friday night, over 500 fans turned up at Scugog Communi- ty Arena to see Canadian recording stars "Rie Btampeders." | Letters We are a nation of refugees To The Editor: Refugees are just that -- people seeking refuge in a safe country, away from the religious intolerance, linguistic arrogance, racial bigotry and political disorder in their own homeland. No doubt they heard it would be different in Canada. So they travell- ed thousands of miles -- away from friends, family and familiar sur- roundings to come to this SAFE land, where they didn't speak the language(s), didn't recognize the food or the climate, let alone the bureaucracy of becoming indepen- dent and self-supporting. Bravo John B. McClelland for reminding us that we are a nation" of refugees. We have forgotten that refugees, when given the wonderful opportunities that Canada offers, create more jobs than they "Take." The become consumers, employers "Do | ask what you're going to do with the money when | make a deposit?" Looking for A Place to Advertise Your Business? LOOK HERE! Where consumers in need shop for the professionals in business! Call: 2985-7383 for more information. and taxpayers. They have a proven track record despite all the obstacles we put before them, Despite the hysteria and misinfor- mation orginating from Ottawa, there is indeed room for them in this affluent country of -ours. Politics have followed every wave of im- migration and we have survived. Canada works hard at survival and our success is due in part. to the spirit and determination of refugees. It takes time for new neighbours to become friends -- but it would be a loss, for us and for those who have recently arrived, to throw away the opportunity to bring our families together. We share a very little planet and hatred makes it smaller and certainly less beautiful. Yours truly, Andrea Jones R.R. 2, Port Perry, Ontario Advance is needed To The Editor: ha As a champion of some pretty good causes involving Scéugog Township (of which I have become a generally proud newcomer), perhaps you might add some of your persuasive powers towards the at- tainment of "advanced turning lights" at the 'four corners" of Highway 7A and the Oshawa Road. I, like so many others I suspect, have all too frequently had the distinct displeasure of having to wait and swelter in my automobile, while attempting to turn left and southward -- during the course of as many as four light changes and con- tinuous through traffic flow. Some drivers are apparently too timid or law abiding to cut across in front of oncoming traffic, and for red lights, yet this manner of dare- devil risk appears the only way to ever make it, particularly during our summer weekends. I couldn't help but notice, with perverse envy, that such advanced light convenience exists just further west, for the delight and benefit of beer drinkers. Yours truly, © Steve Melnichuk, R.R. 2, Port Perry, Ontario ter to the editor. Letters to the Editor ... our policy It has always been the policy of this newpspaper to encourage our readers to make use of the letters to the editor column. Our readers have a right to freely express their opinions and view- ints on just about any subject, and we feel that a lively letters col- umn helps make a better community newspaper. We insist, however, that a letter writer sign his or her name. On rare occasions, we will agree to with-hold publication of a letter writer's name, if we feel there are very good reasons to do so. Under no circumstances will this paper print an anonymous let- While we enjoy receiving letters from our readers, we must con- tinue to insist on knowing the identity of the writer.