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SPORTS 37 | Stouffville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, October 13, 2016 Hughes' Spirit-ed play instrumental in weekend wins Michael Hayakawa mhayakawa@yrmg.com When Andrew Hughes was dealt to the Stouffville Spirit from the Pickering Panthers in the offseason, he was a little concerned with what was in store for him during the current Ontario Junior Hockey League season. Turns out the 19-year-old forward need not be concerned. So far, he's elated to be with the Spirit, who occupy first place in the North Division standings with a 9-2-1-19 record. A big part of the club's success can be attributed to the five-foot, 11-inch, 160-pound Hughes, who collected a goal and one assist in the Spirit's 5-3 road win over the Toronto Patriots Monday and two goals in a 4-1 win over the Markham Royals at the Stouffville Arena Saturday. "Coming to Stouffville is one of the best things that's happened to me," he said. "This team has a bunch of great guys, it's a good team and I love it." Employed on a line with recently acquired Brett McInall and Joseph Teofilo, Hughes credited his club's win over Markham in their ability to corral key faceoffs and in killing penalties. While the Spirit could easily have incurred a letdown after playing a highly emotional game against Markham, Hughes noted the club sustained their intensity Monday. "Coach (Jeff Perrin) said for us to just keep skating and forechecking and that's what we did and it worked," said Hughes, who has six goals and five assists in 12 games. Citing the Spirit knew what potential Hughes possessed in dealing for him, Perrin has been pleased in how he's acquitted himself. "He's been good and he's been scoring the odd goal here and there," he said. As for the club's early success, Hughes conceded it's exceeded his expectations. "Our team is kind of a younger team and I figured maybe we would get off to a slow start and get better as the season progressed. But we're off to a fast start and I'm happy with that," he said. New Stouffville Spirit acquisitions paying dividends Michael Hayakawa mhayakawa@yrmg.com Kenny Burrows is a firm believer that patience can be a virtue. When the Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season began, the Stouffville Spirit co-owner and general manager acknowledged his club was looking to add some depth. This despite the early-season success the Spirit has experienced after winning eight of its first 10 outings. With the Spirit playing host to the Markham Royals in an earlyseason battle for first place in the league's North Division standings Saturday, Stouffville added two new faces to its roster in six-foot, 190-pound forward Brett McInall and his twin brother Zac, a six-foot, one-inch, 185-lb. defenceman. The 18-year-old Milton residents, who were signed by the Spirit Friday after starting the season with the Calgary Mustangs of the Alber- ta Junior Hockey League, made an immediate impact in helping Stouffville take sole possession of first place with a 4-1 win at the Stouffville Arena. Brett scored the game-winning marker on the power play late in the first period. "We needed some depth and we've been looking for about a month," Burrows said. Noting the club was going with just five defencemen and without veteran forward Stefan Palatsiadis, who might be out for the year with an ACL injury he incurred while attending North Bay's OHL training camp, Burrows said the wear and tear might eventually catch up with his players during the course of the marathon schedule. Burrows was quick to credit assistant general manager Thayne Halliburton for finding the twins, as he had done some homework on them. The pair played last season with the French River Rapids of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, where Brett amassed 20 goals and 24 assists and Zac had three goals and 17 assists, with both playing in 52 games. What impressed Burrows was their offensive upside. "Brett is a goal scorer and point getter who works hard and Zac is a puck-moving defenceman that we needed," he said. The Spirit resume play on the road against the Toronto Patriots Monday at 1:30 p.m. Paul J. Crowe, Barrister & Solicitor ·Real Estate · Wills · Powers of Attorney · Estates 86 Ringwood Drive Unit 28, Stouffville, ON L4A 1C3 Phone: 905-640-8100 paul@pauljcrowe.com www.pauljcrowe.com I didn't expect it to feel like home. Feeling at home means enjoying the things you like to do. Which is why at Amica, you can always enjoy your day the way you like to ­ read your book in a quiet corner or enjoy a snack when you want to. You can expect an all-inclusive community that is personalized to you with a range of first-class amenities and services in each of our neighbourhoods: Independent Living · See Paul J. Crowe for Friendy, Experienced Legal Services It's time to celebrate that special occasion with friends, family & colleagues Book your reservation for your year-end lunch or dinner Assisted Living Vi Pei features a European bistro menu designed by executive chef and owner Siva Thambinathan. Join us for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. No time to cook tonight? Order online at ViPeiBistro.com or call us for pickup! Let us treat you to lunch. Call or book a visit online at amica.ca BISTRO 5812 Main St. Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON (905) 591-9000 STOUFFVILLE 2485 Queen St E. Toronto, ON (416) 686-5688 at Swan Lake amica.ca Amica at Swan Lake 6360 16th Avenue Markham, ON 905-201-6058