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EAGLES PHOTO GALLERY

Eagle's fans are invited to view the "Reflections 2008" section of the website which will feature a highlight of the best of 2008. These images were captured by the team Photographer Tim Bates. This section will be updated throughout the next few weeks.

2008-09 Award Winners

 The Bowmanville Eagles gathered on Friday May 22nd for their annual Banquet and Awards Night at Bobby C's Restaurant in Bowmanville. The following players were recognized for their contributions. The Bowmanville Eagles wish all the best to their graduating players and thank them for their dedication to the hockey club.

 Scholastic Excellence- Dan McCarthy

Rookie Of The Year - Matt Davis

Top Scorer - Michael Markovic

Most Sportsmanlike-  Brian Kunetsky

Best Defensive player- Chris Rivest

Most Improved- Dru Douglas

Most Underrated- Dustin Curran

 Player Contributing the Most- Michael Markovic

 Loyalty and Leadership- Mike Berney

Top Defenceman -  John Bull

Mvp- Playoffs -  Matt Lahey

Parker set to take a spot with Canisius

FROM WWW.DURHAMREGION.COM

Port Perry resident lands hockey scholarship

Feb 18, 2009 - 01:39 PM

By Brad Kelly

BOWMANVILLE -- Ben Parker has been a good fit for any team as he progressed through the minor hockey and then junior ranks.

Whether it was the Central Ontario Wolves or Port Perry Predators in minor hockey, or the Port Perry MoJacks and Bowmanville Eagles in junior, the 18-year-old was able to make the adjustment. He will have to do that all over again in the fall, when he heads off to Buffalo to attend Canisius College on a scholarship at the Division I school.

Parker has ample time to prepare for the transition after his Eagles were eliminated in the first round of playoffs on Tuesday night by the Ajax Attack.

"Canisius was the best offer," says the 18-year-old, who also had interest from Union College and Clarkson. "I loved it there. I met the coaches and the guys and it seemed like a good fit."

The mutual interest actually began toward the end of last season, Parker's first in the Ontario Junior Hockey League with the Eagles. He impressed in his rookie season, leading defencemen on the team in points with 6-16-22 numbers. After attending a couple of skates with the school, he was made an offer and accepted.

Returning for his second year, he has matched his point totals of a year ago with 7-15-22 numbers, but his overall game has improved significantly.

"He's extremely mobile, a great skater for a defenceman, and the way the game is played, that's what you need now. The days of the 6-foot-4, 230 pound defenceman are gone now," says Eagles GM/head coach Curtis Hodgins.

"He's been a late bloomer as a hockey player. He's got a bright future. In a couple of years he's going to be a real solid hockey player."

Hodgins added that the Port Perry resident played with a higher level of confidence this season, due to increases in size and strength. Parker concurred.

"You always feel more comfortable the second year," he says of his play. "I've had a year to feel it out. I feel more comfortable and everything has come together."

There's no reason to think it won't come together over the next four years at Canisius as well.

Eagles have optimism looking ahead

From www.durhamregion.com

Top five scorers eligible to return next season

Feb 19, 2009 - 01:09 PM

By Brad Kelly

BOWMANVILLE -- The fact that this year's edition of the Bowmanville Eagles wasn't a championship calibre club didn't come to light just minutes after their elimination from the playoffs on Tuesday.

The notion was there as far back as September, said GM/head coach Curtis Hodgins.

Having grown accustomed to some level of playoff success in recent years, the Eagles came up empty this time around, bowing out in four games to the Ajax Attack in the Ruddock Division quarterfinal. Ajax closed out the series with a 4-0 shutout on their home ice Tuesday night, winning the best-of-five series three games to one.

There was the obvious disappointment following the loss, but optimism looking ahead.

"You always want to go past the first round for sure," said Hodgins. "Definitely this year we wanted to give our younger guys more experience. We've kind of known since the first week of September that this probably wasn't going to be our year with this lineup.

"It's not really a surprise to us. You always want to go further, but I think our better days are ahead."

The season began with Hodgins as the GM and Dan West behind the bench as head coach, but after 20 games, West was let go and Hodgins assumed the dual role. The team clawed its way to a 24-20-4-1 record which was good enough for fourth place, three points ahead of fifth place Ajax, but 23 back of first place Kingston.

On the upside, the roster was full of young players, who gained valuable experience this season, and should be ready to take the next step.

"This was a transition year for us," admitted Hodgins. "We needed to restock the cupboard here. We're not one of those teams that can just go out and reload and buy players. We have to properly build it and this is the first step.

"It seemed like a season long challenge to manipulate the roster and get it fine tuned and pointed in the right direction."

The Eagles will lose graduating juniors Chris Marchant, Matt Lahey and Jeff Nickerson due to age, while Ben Parker will be off on a scholarship to Canisius College in the fall. The top five scorers on the club, Michael Markovic (16-40-56), Dustin Curran (16-20-36), Brian Kunetsky (17-14-31), Matt Davis (10-19-29) and Michael Berney (3-21-24) are all eligible to return.

Among the needs for next season is to improve the skill level, retool the defence, and find a power play quarterback, said Hodgins, who expects to return next season, but is unsure if he will assume both roles, having a preference to coach.

"I'm looking forward to the recruiting now, getting my type of team and moving forward," he said.

The first step in that process will be an evaluation camp on April 25-26 at the South Courtice Arena. Information will be available on the club's website at www.bowmanvilleeagles.pointstreaksites.com.

Eagles join Sanderson Cup

DON SANDERSON CUP TOURNAMENT EXPANDS TO FOUR TEAMS

Bowmanville Eagles join hotly contested derby-style tournament.

DURHAM REGION, June 9, 2009:  The Ajax Attack, Pickering Panthers, and defending champion Whitby Fury Jr. A hockey teams have welcomed a fourth team into the tournament celebrating the life and hockey career of the late Don Sanderson.

The Don Sanderson Cup, presented by Pickering Village Source for Sports, is a regular season tournament reflecting the style of the derby style tournaments prevalent within European soccer leagues.  The team that compiles the most points by winning head-to-head games during the regular season wins the trophy.  Originally named the Durham Cup, the trophy was subsequently renamed to honour the late Whitby Dunlops hockey player.  Pickering, Ajax, and Whitby were the three teams in the tournament last season.

Last season, the tournament was hotly contested, with three points separating the three teams in the final standings.  Teams also saw increased attendance during tournament games, with the competition capturing the imagination and attention of area fans.

The addition of Bowmanville is certain to add to the atmosphere for tournament games. 

"While it was important to consider the roots of the tournament as a three team tournament," says new Cup organizer Derek Sharp, "the teams also came to a majority agreement that the added competition and fan excitement would more than make up the difference.  With all four teams joining the Central Conference this season, it really became a no-brainer."   Bowmanville was quick to accept the invitation.

"There are still a few logistical issues to work out with the scheduling," notes Sharp, because Ajax and Pickering play each other six times next season, as do Bowmanville and Whitby.  Everyone else plays each other four times. 

For more information on the Don Sanderson Cup tournament, please contact Derek Sharp at 905-259-2673, or by e-mail at derekpsharp@hotmail.com.