..FROM THE DESK OF MIKE HAYAKAWA..
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
Russ Herrington is not hesitant to make one prediction of his Markham Waxers
hockey club when it prepares to take to the Centennial Arena ice for this
Fridayıs Ontario Hockey Association Provincial Junior A Hockey League
regular season opener against the Pickering Panthers at 8 p.m.
And thatıs their ability to put the puck in the oppositionıs net.
Through its four preseason contests, which saw the Waxers go 1-2-1, they lit
the red light for    22 goals. Included in those decisions was a 4-2 win
over the Thornhill Rattlers last Thursday and a 5-5 tie in a rematch
Saturday in Thornhill.
While that aspect of their game has Herrington feeling good, he insists that
alone wonıt be enough if the Waxers hope to finish atop the competitive
South Conference standings and improve on last seasonıs third-place finish
at 28-18-2-1.
Like other hockey coaches, Herrington acknowledges successful teams must
also play the game in their own end of the rink. Another words, keep the
puck out of their own net which in turn is the catalyst to create
opportunities at the other end of the rink.
"We can put up big numbers offensively and that's fine," said the third-year
Waxers' head coach. "But weıve got to keep the puck out of our net. The best
way to create offensive numbers is to play solid defence and take care of
our own end."
Despite losing a couple of key veterans from last year's club in defenceman
Jimmy Ball and forwards Kevin Tompkins and Adam Doucette, Herrington feels
this yearıs roster sports a good mix of returning veterans and several
promising rookies.
Among the returnees up front are Jesse Boucher, who had 35 goals last year;
Mark Menonte with 21; Kevin Cribari, 19; Paul Robinson, 15; Jason Young,
Steve Nobili, Jason Duffy, whom Herrington feels could have a breakout year
this season. Ryan Steane, who was out all of last season with a neck injury,
is back.
Mark Mitchell, Albert Ferranti, Derek Doucette and Patrick Diotte return on
the blueline.
New to this yearıs contingent along the forward lines are: Travis O'Rourke,
18, who played with the Waxers midgets last season; Mark Skeals, 17,
(Brother Andre Catholic High School); Ben Cottreau, 16, (Wexford bantams);
Pat Poretta, 18, (Pembroke Lumber Kings); Corey Smith, 16, (Syracuse, New
York), and Michael Fish, 16, (Mississauga bantams).
Two rookies added on defence are Eric Kleine, 16, who started the year with
the Waxers but finished the season with the Mississauga bantams, and Michael
Diamond, 17, (Vaughan midgets).
Goalkeeping, which was a major concern entering training camp, has been
solidified with the recent acquitision of 18-yeaar-old Nick Kemp from the
Huntsville Wildcats.
Drafted by the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League last year, Kemp made
an auspicious debut with the Waxers last Thursday as he helped the club cut
down their goals against in a 4-2 home-ice exhibition win over the Thornhill
Rattlers.
"I think the guys played better on Thursday knowing they had an experienced
goalie in net," Herrington said of Kemp's debut."We're definitely looking
for leadership from Kemp, not only on the ice but in the dressing room and
to Kevin Sit, our backup goalie."
The Waxers also have a new addition behind their bench with the hiring of
Mike Heaney as an assistant coach. Herrington notes that Heaney, whoıse
sister Geraldine is a member of the womenıs national team, has been working
with the clubıs defensive unit and has been a breath of fresh air. As well,
Herrington pointed out heıs been associated with successful clubs throughout
his coaching career.
"The players are probably tired of hearing from myself and my dad (Larry,
Waxers general manager). To have Mike say something is probably refreshing
to the players," said Herrington.
Playing in a conference that hosted last year's league champions in the
Thornhill Rattlers and with seven of the nine teamıs sporting records at
.500 or above, Herrington feels a 35-win season might be required to take
first place this year.
Making the challenge even more tougher for the Waxers will be 12
interconference games against formidable opponents from the north in the
Stouffville Spirit, Newmarket Hurricanes and Aurora Tigers.
However, if the Waxers hope to take top spot in the conference, Herrington
said a couple of factors must fall into place.
"We have to be healthy, work hard and get the right bounces along the way."
Scoring for the Waxers in Thursdayıs win were: Smith, Nobili, Doucette and
Young.
In Saturday's tie,  Boucher scored twice while O'Rourke, Skeals and Poretta
each added one.

Copyright İ 1998 - 2005, Savolainen.Com Inc. and Restoration Environmental Contractors.
All rights reserved.
Don Bremner and Restoration Environmental Contractors were the proud owners of the
Markham Waxers Junior "A" Hockey Club from 1994 - June 17, 2005.
Proud to continue as Sponsors.