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Maria testa itself mmmrma «manemt‘l: StoufivilleSpiritlaout tobecomeafull fledgedme - beroftheStouil’villefamily htthesametimefiheorganizationirrervingnotice itiaonlyintereatedin yerswhoaehockeygoals o W those they t score in their time with the u. The Spirit made it clear they were chari‘ens their milmfll‘cal direction when owners Zeev etch and vid n sacked second year head coach Dan West and time general manager Ken Burrows earlier this s ' appointed the town’s former mayor Sue S ban director of promotions and market' a newly minted position, after naming Stouffville «flint Matt Gibson the club’s new GM and David D'Ammizio head coach. ‘We want to have far more local inte ation and part- nerships with the community, and wi lar e and small business,’ said Mrs. Sherban. “The Spirit ve alwa been given a very positive reception here in Stouffvi e, but it's all about outreach, it's up to the team to pro- mote itaelf.’ Mr. D’Ammizio said it's a matter of tapping into an existing resource. 'We want to take advantage of the great community spirit for hockey in Stouffville. My ope is that by getting involved like We plan to do that we will have a great environment, a family atmo- sphere.’ Mrs. Sherban said the club will make every effort to make the fans feel valued. ‘We plan to have more give- awa and to recognize birthdays and anniversaries to let t em know the Spirit are ha py to have them there You want to be recognized for mg a supporter.’ The Spirit plan to take their act into the streets of Stouffville to help cement relations with residents of all ages. A special road hockey game is planned at Shoeless Joe’s May 12, with past an current Spirit players tak- ing on all comers. Players will attend local minor hockey practices, spend time with 131%!" school teams, and attend community functions. ‘ e gu who play for the Spirit are like the Leafs to the kids 0 this town,’ said Mr. Gibson. '50 to have a Spirit player come to their practice, wow!’ By Bruce Stapley Mr. Gibson said the Spirit will be looking at teams wrth proven records of success on the ice as they try to continue the team's move upwards 'David (Laren) and Zeev (Werek) have seen that it's the teams that are hungry and driven that succeed in this league. We want to take it to the next level." He said the Aurora Tigers, who won the OPJAHL title this spring, have been a model of success. 'lerome Dupont (the Aurora coach) is a great coach and a fantastic recruiter Obviously we have to use him as the bar right now. Th are a suc- cessful or ' tion because they work so rd at it.’ But Mr. 'Ammin‘o said the Spirit will try to fashion themselves more like last year's champions, the St. Michael's Majors have a good mix of veterans and young players. We on’t just want to bring in play- ers for one year.’ Mr. Gibson and Mr. D'Ammizio both realize they have a tough act to follow. Both were part of a Spirit team that went to the Provincial League finals in the 2005- 06 season, then made a strong showing in this year 's Mr. D'Ammizio, who has 0 ated his own hockey school for nine years, has fu confidence in his ability to help players realize their potential He has instructed players who have gone on to the OHL and pro ranks remains in constant touch with many of those players on an advisory basis. 'l've been involved in the development of individuals for quite some tirne,’ he said. He points to Corey Trevino, who played with the Spirit this past season, and Ethan Werek, who is the son of Spirit co-owner Zeev and who will debut With the team this fall, as prototypes of the new breed of S irit player. Both have been guaranteed hockey scho rships at Boston University after playing two years with the Stouffville club. 'We want to promote an environment where kids who would like to move up will have the means to do so.’ But while the Spirit want to create a fun atmosphere for their fans, it will be all business on the ice, insists Mr. Gibson. He feels that by letting it be known the team is only interested in layers who are hoping to achieve at the highest lev in hockey, the team can continue its climb up the Provincial League ladder. “Our mantra is going to be two fold - to win, and to have our layers looking to move on to higher levels like the CHE university teams, US pro leagues or higher,’ he 'We want to continue the success of the past two sea- sons,’ said Mr. D'Ammizio. ‘lt's been exciting so far but we want to take it even funher.’ 'Wlth change there is always skepticism,’ admitted Mr. Gibson. ‘We have very, very his shoes to fill, and there's lots of plenum for us to succeed fast. But I'm up to it, and I‘m excited to do this in my home town.’ £5250th Mr. Gibson was the team's assistant coach in «06, and assistant CM last season. Mr. D'Ammizio was an assistant coach for the lecently completed sea- ECHO is the only manufacturer that offers a five year consumer warranty on all of their products including lifetime ignition. Plus. the new Power Boost Vortex“ engine is more powerful, fuel efficient and environ- mentally clean. 'Speclal pricing is in effect lrom February 1 until July 31. 2007 at the tollowlng participating ECHO Dealer. ROB- ENS EQUIPMENT INC 6 CARDICO DR. #2, GORMLEY, www.0cho.ca ONTARIO . 905-888-9323 www.rob-ensequlpment.com at Affordable Moss! 2%: m~m17995 with purchase of any ECHO po-wer tools trom a particlpating ECHO dealer ((25: ECHO Cap! PLUS get a