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“We rotated our goaltenders all yea! â€" until Neil got hot,” said Saint Mary’ 3 head coach Trevor Stienburg, who is as impressed with his rookie's save percentage (.936 to lead the nation in the playoffs) as he is with his grade point average (4). “I've got to figure out how I can gethim to fail some classes so I can keep him around longer," the coach said. tongue in cheek. “Neil is just so passionate. maybe too passionate. Brockwasanotherpossibilityand a few other Atlantic schools showed interest, but he knew Saint Mary’s would likely need a new goalie next season. Even so. he wasn't counting on becoming the starter and help- ing his team to the national chamâ€" pionship tournament. As he does for his business courses, Conway did his homework before landing at Saint Mary's. I Named to the national all-rook- ie team this week. he is the only American on the six teams shoot- ing for the Canadian championship. Conway’s parents and brothers are here to see him play for the first time this season. “I wouldn't have guessed I would end up at Saint Mary's in a mil- lion years," the Ohio product said. “When I played in Stoufl‘ville, I didn’t even know what the CIS was. There were a lot of ups and downs in the OHL But this couldn't have worked out better." In order, his hockey passport has stamps from Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Stoufl'ville, Owen Sound, Green Bay, Oshawa and Halifax. “I've seen a lot of North America," said Conway after practice at the Fort Wllliam Gardens Wednesday. 80th played for the Spirit as 15- year-olds (Speer was actually 14, two months shy of his birthday) back when players under age 16 were allowed to play Jr. A in Canada. then played in the Ontario Hockey League. Speer, 25. will complete his five- year run with the host lakehead University Thunderwolves this weekend. He'll finish his MBA this summer. They may get that chance this week as their teams vie for the Cav- endish ClS University Cup here in northwestern Ontario. , Conway, 22, has grabbed the starting netmindel’s job while earn- ing straight A’s in the classroom dur- ing his first year at Saint Mary’s Uni- versity in Halifax The only two under-aged play- ers in the 15-year history of the Stouffville Spirit Jr. A team have never met. jmason@yrmg.com THUNDER BAY â€" Neil Conway and Dan Speer share a unique spot in Stoufl'ville hockey history. Once Spirit youngsters, Conway, Speers shoot for CIS supremacy BY HM MASON C CIS hockey has Stouffville flavour Rogers Sportsnet (channel 32 in Whitchurch-Stoth/e) is broadcasting the last three games of the CIS championships. Today, Saint Mary's and McGiIi play at 2 pm. and Lakehead and Alberta play at 7 pin. Yhe championship is on Sunday at 7 pm. Ihe other teams taking part are Manitoba and Trois-RMeres. “The five years went by so quick- ly," said Speer, who sports a magnifi- cent playoff beard. “I think I put up pretty good numbers, but the only thing that's missing is (the Canadian title)." “Danny ha really matured a lot," Lakehead coach Joe] Scherban said. “He's always been a skilled player, but his overall game has improved. And he's taken on a leadership role." First, he’d like to hoist the nation- al championship trophy tomorrow night here in his hometown. Speer, the third-highest scorer in school history, hopes to play pro in Europe next season. After one season in Spiritland, Speer played Jr. A in Collingwood then in Sudbury and Barrie of the OHL As a 14â€"year-old, he was more highly regarded than future NHLer and Olympic gold medallist Eric Staal. Both were born in Thunder Bay in 1984. He's been a key contributor in the playoffs, his coach said. Another rookie on Saint Mary’s is ex-NHIer Mike Danton. He spent more than five years in jail, including time in a north- ern Minnesota prison just south of here, for his part in a murder-for- hire plot. The Brampton native is draw- ing plenty of media attention here, but in the dressing room he's just another Husky. “Just one of the Tanaka said. “ClS hockey is pretty similar to the OHL," he said. “Most of the play- ers are from the O or the (Quebec Major league)." Tanaka had ofiers to play at schools across the country after five yeals at Belleville and Plymouth in the Ontario Hockey League. Depending on who is telling the story, Stouffville resident Cory Tanaka is either following Conway's shoes or protecting them. The pair met’in Grade 10 at Stoufl'ville District Secondary School. They're rookie roommates in their Halifax dorm, classmates in biz school and teammates on the ice. “He needed a bodyguard in high school,” Tanaka said. “Still does." “If people (in Stouffville) want to know how to be successful, just spend a few days in Neil Conway’s shoes." NIKOUC AWAKE!) LEARNER? BEING WELL HEALTH MAGAZINE“ VANAIK mummy TODAY’S W REAL ESTATE" ROSES mm m. ORGAN” LAWN CARE” JOHN’S TAE-KWM 00* MAIN STREET MAGAZNIES” DELL COMPUTERS OORP.‘ ORIPI’S PIZZA” MARKHAM GALLERY‘ MINDTECH MONTESSORI" PHARMASAVE“ SMART SOlBOE’ HD TV" DR. GREEN LAWNOARE"