..FROM THE DESK OF MIKE HAYAKAWA..
DECEMBER 11, 2002
It's been three years since Liam Bowen last played in the Provincial Junior A Hockey League. But judging by the way the 20-year-old Markham resident has been performing this season in his second tour of duty in the league and as a first-year member of the Markham Waxers, itšs as though he hasn't missed a beat.

After the Waxers' most recent contest, which concluded in a 7-4 road win over the Thornhill Rattlers 7-4 on Monday, the Waxers' left winger was tied for second on the team in goals scored with 22 and tied for fourth in overall team scoring with 36 points.

More important, Bowen's presence has been a vital component in the Waxers' ability to seize hold of first place in the south division standings with a 20-6-5-1 mark. Expressing some concerns as to how the club would fare upon his return, Bowen is glad that he decided to join the Waxers based on what's transpired so far.

"Once we got about 10 games into the season, I said 'we have a good team.' We have guys on the team who can play defence, we have guys who can score and wešve got good goaltending. If we keep playing the way we are and get out of our division, who knows? I think we have an amazing club." A former member of the Aurora Tigers three seasons ago, Bowen left the team to attend school for the last two years in London at Fanshawe College.

Bowen's decision to return to the league and play for the Waxers came about rather by chance in May after he met club owner Don Bremner at a local eating establishment. "Mr. Bremner asked me if I would like to come out to skate with the team during their spring camp. Being 20 years old, I said 'why not,'" he recalled. "When I was at Fanshawe I played in a beer league so I still had that keen competitive edge."

Upon returning to the league, Bowen said it only took him two-to-three games under his belt to get re-acclimated to the rigors. However, he noted the league has changed a bit where more emphasis is placed on finesse. This, he feels, is his strong suit and in turn, has enabled him to step up his performance.

"I think the game has opened up a bit more. If you can skate it's easier to make things happen and I like that game better," he said.

Not only has Bowen contributed on the ice, but off the ice he's provided some leadership in the dressing room. "I know that a lot of the younger guys on this team look up to the guys who are 20 years old. And I've tried to provide some leadership when I can," said Bowen, who is the son of Toronto Maple Leafs' long-time broadcast voice Joe Bowen.

Waxers head coach Russ Herrington feels Bowen's presence has been a key ingredient in the club's success along with being one of the most pleasant surprises to date. And his performance on the ice has attracted the interest of some U.S. college hockey programs.

"We knew that he worked hard. But his scoring is above where we projected it would be and his leadership and penalty killing have been outstanding. Having him with us has been one of the better decisions we've made."

In Monday's win, which saw the Waxers lead 2-1 after one period and 4-3 through two, Mark Menonte scored twice while Stephen Wong, Jeff Weiss, Kevin Cribari, Pat Porretta and Aaron Buckstein, with his first junior A marker, added singles. The victory came on the heels of a 4-4 tie against the host Wexford Raiders on Sunday and a 9-2 road win over the Huntsville Wildcats on Friday.

In their tie with the Raiders, Nathaniel Brooks scored the game-tying goal for the Waxers with just under three minutes left in regulation time. Mike Barrett, Ryan Steane and Bowen added singles. Ben Cottreau, Steane and Porretta each scored twice for the Waxers in its win over the Wildcats. Brooks, Menonte and Cribari added singles.

The Waxers played Monday's game without the services of Cottreau, who incurred a leg injury in Friday's win over the Wildcats and is expected to be back in about a week. Ryan Olidis could return to the Waxers' lineup by this weekend.

On a separate note, Waxers general manager Larry Herrington announced the team will host a Teddy Toss during tomorrow's (Friday) home game against the Ajax Axemen at Centennial Arena starting at 8 p.m. Anyone who brings a stuffed animal toy to the game will be admitted for $2. After the Waxers score their first goal of the game, fans who bring these stuffed animals are asked to toss it onto the ice. The toys will then be collected from the ice and delivered to the Markham-Stouffville Hospital Foundation.

COME SEE THE WAXERS FOR JUST A TOONIE AND SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Friday, Dec. 13th Waxer fans unite in Christmas toy drive for Markham-Stouffville Hospital Foundation, come and watch the Waxers and use this opportunity to help bring joy to a youngster. The Waxers hope that their great fans will make the night extremely successful and one to be remembered years from now. 4FOR DETAILS CLICK HERE

The Waxers continue weekend play with road contests Saturday at Vaughan at 7:45 p.m. and Sunday at North York at 2:30 p.m.

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