The Kent's St. John's Junior Hockey League's plan to eliminate fighting from its annual all-star game has paid off and league president Bern Tobin likes the change.
The league instituted a rule three years ago that slapped fighters with a game suspension. Since then, the all-star game has been about lots of wide-open hockey with plenty of goals.
In many all-star games over the past decade, there were plenty of fights, some that had been obviously pre-arranged.
Things have changed so much that there were no penalties called in last year's all-star match, and that's just fine with Tobin who sees the game as a "family friendly" event.
"It's been pretty quiet since the new rule was put in place," said Tobin. "It's our best players and nobody wants to get hurt. We want the players to settle down and play hockey."
The league's 11th annual all-star game is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Jack Byrne Arena in Torbay.
The Avalon Division has a 7-3 record in the all-star classic, but the City Division won the last two years, including an impressive 11-5 win last year.
A representative from league sponsor Kent's Building Supplies will drop the puck for the official opening faceoff. There will be a 15-minute Northeast minor hockey game between the first and second periods.
CITY DIVISION ALL-STARS
From the Toyota Plaza St. John's Junior Caps: Forwards Jonny Caul, Mike King, Shane Sullivan; Defence: Roger Pender, Jeff MacRoberts; Goaltender Shane Collins
From the Marks Work Wearhouse Blades: Forwards Stephen Bailey, Michael Rose, Lucas Dearing; Defence: Larry Gray, Paul Mitchelmore; Goaltender: Harry Bartlett
From the Mask Security Celtics: Forwards: Shawn Roberts, Kyle Pardy, Matthew Oates; Defence: Daniel Cadigan, Michael Ricketts
From the Roebothan McKay and Marshall Avalon Capitals: Forwards: Nick Bray, Jason Power, Nathan Hutchens; Defence: Kevin Huestis, Justin Downey; Goaltender: Kyle Downer
Alternates: Andrew Devereaux (Celtics), Kyle Smith (St. John's), Patrick Parfrey (St. John's), Steven Connors (Celtics).
Honourary captain: Dave Penney
Honourary coach: George Faulkner
AVALON DIVISION ALL-STARS
From the C&W Offshore Southern Shore Breakers: Forwards Shane Boland, Andrew Gale, Chris Hammond; Defence: Shane Fifield, Will Brazil, Shane Kelly; Goaltenders: Matthew Walsh, Brian Ronayne.
From the Slateworks C.B.N. Stars: Forwards: Blair Adams, Tyler Adams, Brandon Burry, Shane McGrath; Defence: Zach Ryan, Ryan Parsons; Goaltender Ryan Simms.
From the Family Drug Mark Bell Island Blues: Jonathon Hull, Daniel Roberts, Chris King; Defence: Jonathon Hatchard, Sean Quinlan
From I.J. Smith & Son Trinity-Placentia Flyers: Scott Gillingham, Tyler Smith; Defence: Zach Lodge
Alternates: Adam Molloy (Breakers), Kyle Hutchings (Blues), Michael Sherman (Blues), Josh Hurley (Stars)
Honorary captain: Colin Abbott
Honorary coach: Don Johnson
All-stars will battle, but won't fight for a win
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Published on
January 27, 2010
- Published on July 1, 2010
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Staff ~ The Telegram
St. John's junior hockey
The Kent's St. John's Junior Hockey League's plan to eliminate fighting from its annual all-star game has paid off and league president Bern Tobin likes the change.
The league instituted a rule three years ago that slapped fighters with a game suspension. Since then, the all-star game has been about lots of wide-open hockey with plenty of goals.
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