Langley Advance du lieu suivant : Langley, British Columbia, Canada • 27

Spsrts in NHL draft A28 I Tutsdoy, Jgti24, 1001 I LtltltT A A Junior A hockey Chiefs taken EVERY WEDNESDAY, READ ME MY SUMMER. Join The Vancouver Sun every Wednesday as we check in with parents and youngsters from around the Lower Mainland to see what super summer activities they are discovering. Derek Grant was selected by the Ottawa; his linemate from last year Taylor Stefishen went to Nashville. Derek Grant and Taylor Stefishen knew there was a chance they could be selected in the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft. The pair, who played on the same line for the Langley Chiefs this past season and finished one-two in team scoring, were both projected to be taken somewhere in the opening five rounds of this past weekends draft in Ottawa.

However, like most prospects, neither had much of an indication of exactly when the big moment would occur. It was that uncertainty that had both young players watching from home as opposed to making a trip to Ottawa to find out in person. Grant, Langleys rookie of the year and second leading scorer with 24 goals and 63 points in 57 games, was projected to be picked anywhere between the second to fourth rounds. Stefishen, who led the Chiefs in scoring in both the regular season with 33 goals and 81 points and in the playoffs with six goals and 16 points, was thought to end up somewhere between the third and fifth rounds. With strong interest from a number of teams.

Grants call came late in the fourth round with the host Ottawa Senators tabbing the Abbotsford native with the 119th overall pick. I had no idea who was going to take me, Grant exclaimed, just after the selection. Its just exciting to have this opportunity, and with a Canadian team, too. There is still a lot of work to do but right now Im just excited. Grant will play one more year with the Chiefs before heading to Michigan State for the 200910 season.

Stefishen did not have to wait much longer than his linemate. He was grabbed just 17 spots later, at 136th overall, by the Nashville Predators. In his sophomore season with the Chiefs, the North Vancouver product appeared in his first British Columbia Hockey League all-star game in January. Stefishen is off to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes next year. The Predators are hoping he further They great have extremely hard.

Chiefs head wager develops like Buckeye alumni Ryan Kesler and RJ Umberger. Im happy to be taken, said Stefishen, who had an idea Nashville was going to select him. I thought it might be the Predators just because they seemed to have spent a lot of time talking to me and getting to know me. Its a great feehng, but now that the draft has come and gone, I have to re-focus on next year at Ohio, and just keep trying to improve. For Chiefs head coach and general manager Harvey Smyl, it means two more players from his program have the chance to carry the Chiefs tradition to the National Hockey League.

Obviously we are just happy for the both of them, Smyl said. They are both great kids and have worked extremely hard since being with us to improve their game, in hopes of taking it to that next level something I truly believe they both can do. Smyl has seen his players in this position before, with former Chiefs Shawn Horcoff (Edmonton), Jeff Tambellini, and Wade Dubielewicz (both with the New York Islanders) all playing in the NHL during the 200708 campaign. Former Chief Jason Krog helped the Anaheim Ducks to the 2003 Stanley Cup final and starred with the 2008 Calder Cup (American Hockey League) champion Chicago Wolves team. Krog was named AHL MVP and led the Wolves in playoff scoring with 38 points during their Calder Cup run.

Grant and Stefishen werent the only BCHL players to go in the draft on Saturday as four others were scooped up along the way. Justin Schulz of the Westside Warriors was the first player out of B.C. taken, at 43rd overall by the Anaheim Ducks. The top ranked player from the BCHL before the draft, Zac Dalpe of the Penticton Vees, went shortly after to the Carolina Hurricanes at 45th overall. From there followed the two Chiefs forwards and two players who were not previously ranked.

Trail Smoke Eaters goaltender Grant Rollheiser was taken by the Toronto Maple Leafs at 158th overall, while Penticton Vees captain and forward Brett Hextall went immediately after (159th overall) to the Phoenix Coyotes. The Vancouver Sun SmOUSUrWESTCOMT are both kids and worked coodi ami geteral Haney Smyl July 6th, 2008 5 Ki? Noel Booth Park, Langley, B.C. rsn WK KIDS RUN In Support of The Arthritis LsngtayAdvance Society PLEASE COMPLETELY FILL OUT THE FIELDS BELOW (Cash, Cheque or on-line ONLY. Cheques payable to Try Events Inc.) $10 Kids Run $15 Youth Runner $25 Adult $60 Family Combo (2 Adults max 3) Each Participant in FAMILY COMBO TEAM must fill registration form out UNTIL JUNE 15th, 2008 Full Name: Sex: Birthday (ddmmyy): Address: Phone (H): Prov: Golden Thunder The Langley Thunder peewee lacrosse team dominated the Pop Styles tournament in Port Coquitlam, winning all four round robin games with a total of 19 out of 20 possible points. The Thunder beat host Poco 13-2 in the gold medal game.

The Thunder defence and goaltending was outstanding, allowing only seven goals throughout the tournament. It was a sweet victory for the local peewees, who lost the gold medal game in the Sid Dann tournament in Vancouver after winning all their round robin games. City: Postal Code: Email: non-transferable I no refund TOTAL Waiver I know that participating in physical fitness events is a potentially hazardous activity I agree not to participate unless I am medically able and properly prepared I should not participate without my physician approval I agree to abide by any decision of an event official concerning my ability to safety participate I assume any and ail risks associated with the event, including but no limited to, falls, contact with other persons or obiects, the effects of weather, traffic and course conditions As a condition of my entering this event, for myself, any accompanying minors, and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release Try Events Inc any associated or related entities, their directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, sponsors, volunteers, and organizers (herein collectively called Event Organizers'), from present and future claims and all liabilities of any kind, known or unknown, arising out of my participation in this event or related activities, even though such claim or liability may arise out of negligence or fault on the part of the Event Organizers I agree that the Event Organizers shall not be liable for any personal injury, death or property loss, and I release the Event Organizers and waive all claims with respect thereto in the event my registration fees are paid, I agree to be bound by the provisions of this waiver I grant permission to Event Organizers to use or authorize others to use any photographs, motion pictures, or any other record of my participation in this event or related activities without remuneration Applications for minors shall be accepted only with a parent's signature and should be signed by the minor SIGNATURE: DATE: (ddmmyy): MORE EVENT DETAJLS: www.tryevents.ca Contact: Mitchell Hudson 778-908-4321 tryAevbits LIMITED REGISTRATION: 200 PARTICIPANTS.