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..FROM
THE DESK OF MIKE HAYAKAWA..
JANUARY 20, 2003
 Albert
Ferrante acknowledges he doesn't play the game of hockey in the
offensive end with a lot of flair. To prove his point, the fourth-year
Markham Waxers' veteran defenceman doesn't score a lot of goals or
accumulate a lot of assists. But the 19-year-old rearguard does places a
high priority in preventing the opposition from scoring.
While Ferrante's on-ice exploits might not be eye-catching to those
watching the game from the stands, rival Provincial Junior A Hockey League
clubs have paid homage to what he's done this season by selecting him to
take part in tomorrow's annual all-star game in Georgetown.
For the Maple resident, his appearance in the game, which pits a joint
squad of players from the east and south divisions against a squad
representing the west and north divisions, will be his first.
Also selected to take part from the Waxers' organization are forward
Pat Porretta, head coach
Russ Herrington and trainer Phil Lamont.
"It was certainly a big surprise," said Ferrante, after the Waxers
suffered a 6-3 loss to the visiting North York Rangers on Friday, of his
selection to the east-south team. "I don't get a lot of points, I'm more
of a defensive type of defenceman. My first priority is to stay at home
and I take a lot of pride in that aspect. I'm definitely pleased to be
going to the game."
Unlike a regular season contest, Ferrante anticipates tomorrow's contest
will take on a different beat. With that in mind, he intends to absorb the
festivities that are an integral part of that game.
"It will be a chance for me to get to meet new people. It will be more of
a fun game."
Acquired from the Brampton Capitals during the 1998-99 campaign,
Ferrante's presence has been one of the key ingredients to the Waxers'
climb to the top of the south division standings. What makes Ferrante a
valuable asset is his work ethic, cited Herrington. "He's the type of
defenceman nobody in the stands notices, but he's hardest working guy on
the club on and off the ice. He's a very quiet, unassuming and humble type
of person, but when he speaks, people listen. He does his talking with his
work ethic. He's done a great job for us all year." With injuries
decimating the Waxers' blueline corps in recent days as rookie
David Lyall and veteran
Michael Diamond
are currently recovering from shoulder injuries, it might be expected that
Ferrante might have to carry added responsibilities. Not so, he insists.
"We just have to keep things simple on the ice. When we
try to do too much it doesn't work out for us. We just have to stick to
the basics," he cited.
As for personal goals this season, Ferrante, who is
currently enrolled at George Brown College and majoring in the culinary
arts, says he hasn't set any this season. But rather, he is looking at the
big picture in the team as a whole.
"We want to go to the finals and earn a trip to
Florida," he said of a promise club owner Don Bremner made to the squad as
an incentive.
Liam Bowen,
Porretta and Ben Cottreau
each scored once for the Waxers in Friday's loss.
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| This article was
written by Mike Hayakawa and published in the
Markham Economist and Sun. Minor edits may have been performed to
the original article.
This has been reproduced with permission. |
On Sunday, the two teams had a rematch at North York
with the Waxers prevailing 5-4.
Tony Rossi scored twice,
including the game-winning goal in the third period on a power play.
Andrew Dias,
Kevin Cribari and
Ferrante added singles.
Maintaining a three-point lead over the Wexford Raiders
for sole possession of first place in the south division, the Waxers, now
28-10-5-1, will host the Thornhill Rattlers on Friday at 8 p.m. and play
in Ajax on Sunday at 3 p.m.
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Slapshots:
A couple of former Waxers players who originally went the
U.S. college route have returned to Ontario and are currently playing in
the Ontario Hockey League. Defenceman Jim Ball, formerly of St. Lawrence
University in Canton, New York, recently joined the London Knights while
forward Jesse Boucher, who attended Miami (Ohio) University in Oxford,
Ohio this year, has joined the Kitchener Rangers. |
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