~Sp)ots Mallachffead aitDeaf Hockey CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF E Admittedly surprised wben his then seven-year- o qold son Brandon asked ta start playing hockey, OTim MaIiach whole-heartedty weicomed the e request - yet wondered about a potential ob- 2stacle. E Not the one many people might expect. how- Iever. When Brandon was three we to0k him to a skating class, but h. becamne very upset. re- called the eider Mullach, part of a Deaf Milton hockey famiiy that includles Brandon, now 18, and 16 year-old Brittany. MHe didn't want 10 skate at aI. Brandon probabiy doesn't even remember that initial aversion to skating, but certainly doesn't forget the support network that's madie hisSuc (ess in competitive hockey possible. With a Deaf grandfather who tended the net in B.C. in the late 1940s and a father who played in Scarborough in theVOs. Brandon is quick to ac- knowiedge tta his path was made a lot smooth er than it m.ght otherwise have been. «Watout their (grandfather and father> support. i probably wouldn't b. playing« Among the opportunit mes that would have de- nied him lis the chaince to represent his country, which the hard-nosed winger wilI do at the end of the montb. Makig the (ut during a tbree-day tryout at Ry- erson Universetys aid Mapie Leaf Gardiens digs SAVE UP TO bmehaftn.om Brandon Mallach gets in saine practice at the Milton Sports Centre priai ta heading 10 Ftnland to represent Canada ai the Worid Deaf Hockey Championsheps. Nmki W - 111 /Coe nu, mn <FoIOW on Tv.I« *ton.hprn1, iast summer Brandon wilI don the red and white for Canada's Deaf men's team for the five-team worid championships in Vantait, Finland Mardi 30 to Aprîl 7. lronicaily enough - gîven his early disike of et Br&andon's skating was ainong the attributes that stood out to national Deaf coach Donald McKee. «Brandon also has supertor hockey sense. which wiIi help hem make the adjustment 10 the Olymn- pic size ece mn Vantaa. remarked McKee, who plans to have MalIah play wîth twîn brothers .Jesse and Cody Mcintyre fron Brucef#Me. «Hes noit huge mn stature, but he loves 10 play a physi- cal game.« ON VOUR NEXI GROCERY BILLI If1yeriand.ca- Sornewhat resernbling a young Bobby Clark- with his Rlowing locks and aggres- sive play - Brandon figures heightersed vi- sion has helped hîm compensate for a Iack of hearing on the ice. To that end, opponents will neyer catch him weth his head down. 1 keep my Chili up ail the timie quipped the local winger who helped Ontaridls Deaf junior team to naional charnpionship gold three years ago in Montrual White not suggusting9 there hawen't beeri challengles over the years Brandon has nev- er frit that beingVeaf bas deflned bien as a playef- *My dari raid i rmuid anything aaid nux ta worry about any Deaf issues: suld Brandon, whose eaufy devlopnaent - as wull as tha of Birittany - was aften akded by havéig his dad as an assistant coach. *So 1 just focused on learniinq how to play and irmproving miy skills* Learning when to keep bis speed in check - flot over-skating the play - Brandon was a key mnrber of thme tripée-A HaIton Hurricanes for two years after a strong double-A stint w4tb Ns hornetown Milton Wintedhawlis. Most recently h. was a late-iseason cail-up with the Fergus Jr. C Devils, collecting six reua-sao points and a couple tnore in a short-leved playoff run. HeWs since been found paing a noon-hour pick-up gane ait least twice a week at Mil- ton Sports Centre in preparation of bis eordd -1, debut. 1rm wry proud to b. able 10 represent Can- ada: said Brandon, w$mo'l begin the internia- tional tournamnent against the U.S. 1 think this shows 1 can play; and rve ga to thank the hockey offlnizations that gave nie tbe opportunity to play and develop» A schedule of games is avaita"l aI ww wdlhc2oi3.corn and yoxu cai watcb gaines 11w ut htep:/wdibc2Ol 3.com/en/bve/ Stcw LeaSon con be reached at slebion<@ miloeeanakwihom.oncom or on Twfttc efflnoetLo ~ ~ - -- Mci *tm ta.1m 7 -am deJ-mJuMl w m