Will Big E's Career Come Full Circle?

durhamrcgion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ AUGUST 17,2005 ♦ PAGE 13 Sports■ Eijc Canadian Statesman ♦ durham-egion.com Brunt leads strong Brian McNair cast into Hall of Fame Will BHS teacher among six new inductees Big E’s BY BRAD KELLY career Sports Editor CLARINGTON - Bill Brunt humbly asks “Why me?” and the easy answer is “Why not you?” come Brunt is one of a deserving group of 'mfm six that will be inducted into the Clar- inglon Sports Hall of Fame during a full ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the. Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex in Bowmanville. Along with the long time Bowinanville High School teacher circle? and coach, the Hall will welcome the Courtice Secondary School soccer team *. One thing hasn’t change about Eric from 1971, the Bowmanville Eagles -Lindros from the clay lie first put on team of 1978-79, rifle shooter William -an Oshavva Generals uniform to today: Hockin, as well as Mosport Interna »He’s still fiercely determined to con- tional- Speedway and the Darlington “trol his own destiny. Men ’s Soccer League in the honorary « It just doesn ’t seem so annoying category. -now. When Brunt received the call inform v As much as he electrified this coming him of his selection, he admits it , 'munity when he suited up for the Gen was unexpected. erals and led them to a Memorial Cup “I was quite taken aback. I asked why fin 1990, the immaturity lie showed me? A lot of people, did the same thing -by refusing to play for the Sault Ste. ■ as I did. ” -Marie Greyhounds should still rankle Brunt retired in 1995 from the only 'those who believe in (he integrity of school he ever taught at; starting at 'the draft system. - Bowmanville High School back in 1960 - He didn ’t learn much - or perhaps he when it was located on Queen Street, •did - by the time it came to be drafted the same location ’how serving Grade 7 •into the NHL, as again he refused to and 8 students as Bowmanville Senior Zplay for the team that selected him, the Public School. When BHS opened at its 'Quebec Nordiques. Liberty Street location in 1972, Brunt ‘ Lindros ended up in Philadelphia, went along with the move, staying-put -where he reached one Stanley Cup until he retired a decade ago. -'final and did nothing productive in During that 35-year span, he guided : the series, while those he was dealt thousands,of young athletes, both as •for ultimately turned the Colorado the head of the phys-ed department, and : Avalanche into a powerhouse that won as à coach'of varsity teams, taking the two Cups. • i - • ‘ helm at one time or another of just about r; His career has been remarkable, to every team that ever wore the school "be sure, but he hasn’t lived up to the colours, both male and female. 'Next One label, falling well short of “1 never said I did well, but I did coach 'the accomplishments of Wayne Gretz them all,” he laughs of his vast experi ky and Mario Lemieux. ence. L After exploding onto the scene with His coaching philosophy was devel 'a rare combination of brawn and skill oped early on, and didn ’t waver through- ' ;and winning the Hart Trophy as MVP out, endearing him to the students who in the strike-shortened 1994-95 sea- played for him. ■ son, Lindros went on to become the “I always felt any person who came [fifth fastest player in.league history to out to play should have an equal 'oppor awAw-mi» ■ L'.. - < Vi' "reach the 500-point milestone, accorn- tunity to play at the school level. That’s 'plishing the feat in his 352nd game in what we tried to do as best we could, ” ►1998. said the 67-year-old Bowmanville resi Walter c' Then the injuries took hold, most dent, adding, “I had trouble cutting Retired Bowmanville High School teacher Bill Brunt will be one of six new inductees into the Clarington Sports 'notably a string of concussions that anyone,” Hall of Fame on Qct. 22. 'now totals eight. The induction ceremony on Oct. 22 The whitiy Lindros re-emerged in will be the third in Clarington, bring provincial championship, as the soccer during the entire playoff run that also ers, where Hockin had been promoted 2000, when, angered with the way his ing the number, of inductees to 22. team turned the trick in 1971. Busloads included series wins over Little Britain, to Sgt. Major in 1923. injuries were being treated by the Fly Legendary hockey analyst and the cre of students and teachers made the trek Port Perry, Cobourg, Gananoque and Mosport International Speedway ers, he turned down the team’s qualify ator of Peter Puck, Brian MacFarlane, to Birchmount Stadium in Toronto to Penetang. ' The home of motor racing in Canada ing offer and demanded he be dealt to will serves as Master of Ceremonies, cheer the team to victory in the champi William Hockin for more than 40 years, the track has the Toronto Maple Leafs. while Walter Gretzky is this year’s guest onship game. ■ He was the winner of the highest served as one of the premier facilities in .It didn ’t happen then, of course. speaker. Bowmanville Eagles (1978-79) honour in rifle shooting in the Brit the world, hosting a number of races at Instead, he sat a out a full year before Others making the grade in 2005 Established in 1968, the Jr. C hockey ish Empire, the King ’s Prize in 1913. all levels. being traded to the New York Rangers, include: club won its first Ontario championship In 1927, he captured the Prince of Darlington Men’s Soccer League ’ where he spent three mostly unremark Courtice Soccer Team (1971) at the conclusion of the 1978*79 sea Wales prize, the second highest award The league held a gala celebration this able seasons. Having opened its doors in 1961, it son, sweeping Kincardine four games in Bisley. After his death in .1932, his year in celebration of its 125th anniver ; Now that Lindros.is finally able to look just 10 years for Courtice Second straight in the final. Crowds filled the wife donated most of his trophies to the sary. Darlington is the oldest continuous control his fate, it’s ironic few other ary School to register its first OFSAA old Bowmanville Arena on Queen Street Sergeants Mess of the 48th Highland operating soccer league in Canada. : suitors came calling. He got his wish, 'to play for the Blue and White, but the |$ 1.55-million contract lie signed is «far less than one might have expected Generals gearing up for training camp "from a 32-year-old with such proven 'potential. ; The burning question now is this: Brad Selwood vie for the No. 1 spot, with rookie Ben says. son. •How much does the Big E have left? Thomas the likely backup. But Selwood Beyond his desire to land a goalie, Sel “We will be thrilled, and I think the ! Well, that will be determined on the expects OHL still seems uncertain about the state of wood will also be looking to fill a third fans will be thrilled, if we make the play ice beginning in October, but judg the crease and would like to upgrade overage spot with only John Neal and offs,” Selwood says. “I still think we’re a ing by his off-the-ice demeanour last training camp to be after last season ’s inconsistency there. Justin Allen coming back as 20-year- year or two away from where we want to jvveekjie seems to have finally grown very competitive In fact, he admits he made a pitch for olds. be. It’s slow and steady.” ►up at least. David Shantz, who Having plucked three GENERALLY SPEAKING: , * It was refreshing to hear him speak BY BRIAN MCNAIR ended up being 1988-born play Defenceman Devereaux Heshmatpour [passionately about his brother and Staff Editor dealt from Missis- - ers in the most has still not returned Brad Selwood’s jokingly about skating with his head sauga to Peterbor recent OHL draft, calls, leaving his late-season departure ■iip. He seems a much more humble ough. Selwood says he as a mystery to the GM. A key part of •person, but still with the desire to win OSHAWA - Brad Selwood is starting At OHL general wouldn ’t be sur the trade that sent goalie Dan Tlirple to .in a hockey-rich town, as he did with to get excited about the prospect of this mangers ’ meetings prised to see at least six' Kitchener, Heshmatpour was considered [the Generals 15 years ago. year’s training ’camp for the Oshawa last week, Selwood ■ ne.w draft picks come out of the camp a strong professional prospect, but was j! Now if lie can bring his career full Generals. , acquired the rights to and make the team this season. He has passed over in the recent NHL draft... jjircle and lead another tradition-laden With little in the way of options avail Whitby’s Phil, Mcllhonc from the Sud also scoured the country for potential The Generals ’ training camp begins with 'Club to the promised land, his Hockey able at last year’s smaller camp, his first bury Wolves in exchange for an eighth free agents and hopes to land a keeper or physicals and fitness testing Aug. 30 and Hall of Fame status will be cemented. as the generals ’ GM, Selwood believes round draft pick.

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