Abbotsford Heat Face Off - Issue 5

O F F I C I A L

F A N

G U I D E

FACEOFF FACE CLUTCH SAVE

Four years ago at Christmas time, Heat defenceman Keith Aulie rescued his father from icy waters.

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TAKING ON THE WORLD

Four members of the Abbotsford Heat have tasted the hype of the World Junior Championship.

PAGE 4

THE ART OF LINE JUGGLING Heat head coach Jim Playfair discusses his philosophy of composing forward units.

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photo by John Morrow

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Aulie’s clutch save FOUR YEARS AGO AT CHRISTMAS TIME, HEAT BLUELINER RESCUED HIS FATHER FROM ICY WATERS

Towering defenceman Keith Aulie has been making rapid strides in his rookie season with the Heat.

John Morrow photo

DanKINVIG ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Abbotsford Heat defenceman Keith Aulie knows a thing or two about pressure situations on the ice, and we’re not necessarily talking about hockey.

Back in 2005, two days before Christmas, Aulie was standing on the edge of the pond on his family’s farm in Rouleau, Sask., watching his father Bill plow snow off the ice with a tractor.

The towering 6’6” blueliner was home for a few days during a break from the Western Hockey League season with the Brandon Wheat Kings, and he was slated to participate in the World U17 Hockey Challenge in Regina and Moose Jaw between Christmas and New Year’s. His billets from

Brandon were coming out that day to stay with the Aulie family during the World U17 event, and Keith figured that it would be fun to take them for an outdoor skate.

Suddenly, Keith heard a sickening crackling noise as the tractor broke through the ice with his father inside. The Aulie men had drilled through the ice to test its thickness, but some of the snow must have warmed and created a weak spot in the middle.

Keith, 16 years old at the time, sprinted to the spot where the tractor had broken through. His first instinct was to dive into the icy water to search for his father, but there was no room – the hole in the

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ice was exactly the same size as the tractor, and the top of the cab was level with the ice surface.

It felt like forever, but Keith eventually spotted Bill under the ice. He had gotten out of the cab and was struggling to get to the surface. But with the tractor blocking the hole, there was no way out.

This would be the worst way to see my dad go, Keith thought, having to watch him through a thick sheet of ice and not being able to do anything about it.

The tractor’s motor was still running, though. As the machine bobbed in the water, it would occasionally touch bottom and drive forward a few inches at a time. Eventually, Keith was able to grasp Bill’s hand and pull him into a gap between the top of the cab and the edge of the ice surface. He was stuck there for a moment, but the tractor inched forward a bit more, and Keith pulled him out of the water.

Perhaps “pulled” isn’t a strong enough verb. Bear in mind that Bill Aulie, like his son, is a big man, and was further weighed down by soaking wet winter apparel – parka, mitts, toque and boots. But Keith, with adrenaline coursing through his system, threw his dad 10 feet clear of the hole.

Keith carried his father 400 yards to the house to thaw, and Bill was fine in the end – save for a wrenched shoulder, sustained when Keith yanked him from the water.

“I can definitely attest to superhuman strength when you’re in need of it,” the younger Aulie recalled with a smile following a recent Heat practice. “It was a moment that I’ll never forget.

You take a lot of things for granted, and you realize that pretty quick when something like that happens.”

Aulie was midway through his rookie season with the WHL’s Wheat Kings on that memorable day, and his hockey career has progressed steadily since then. He spent four highly acclaimed years with the Wheat Kings, and served as team captain during a banner 2008-09 campaign that saw him rack up 33 points in 58 games.

Aulie also boasts a gold medal from last year’s World Junior Championship on his resumé (see story, page 4). He teamed Continued on A9

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Going for the gold

FOUR HEAT PLAYERS HAVE TASTED THE THRILL OF WORLD JUNIORS GrantGRANGER ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Canada’s Christmas obsession with the World Junior Hockey Championship has infected other countries.

The Abbotsford Heat’s Mikael Backlund got the virus a couple of years ago and it’s been spreading throughout Sweden ever since.

While Canada caught the bug more than two decades ago, it’s been slow to heat up to a fever pitch in other countries. It seemed like the rest of the world had been vaccinated against it. But Backlund believes his home country is getting caught up in it as well.

Playing in the tournament had been one of Backlund’s goals growing up in Vasteras, a dream that came true in 2008 when he played for Sweden in the Czech Republic and again at the 2009 tourney in Ottawa.

In 2007, the championship was held in Sweden in 2007, and that’s where he believes it started to take off in the minds of Tre Kronor hockey aficionados.

“People in Sweden like watching world juniors more than the world [championships] for the men,” says Backlund. “The juniors are more fun, more intense, more speed, more passion to it.”

Their games, especially when they won, made the front page of the sports section and the front page of the nation’s sports newspapers.

“Even last year when the games were in Canada and they were on at midnight (in Sweden) there was still a lot of people watching,” Backlund says.

In both years, Sweden settled for silver losing the final to Canada, 3-2 in overtime in Pardubice and 5-1 in Ottawa.

“It was real tough (to take). The first one was so close in overtime. We were dominating them in the last period and the overtime, so it was kind of hard,” says Backlund.

“We didn’t play our best game in the (2009) final but Canada had a real good game. Both were tough in both ways, but

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last year was tough because it was the last chance (for me) to win it.”

The 2010 version will be held in Saskatchewan starting on Boxing Day. “I’m really excited to watch it this year,” Backlund says. “I wanted to play it so badly because it’s so much fun. But it’s going to be fun to watch it this year.

Hopefully we’ll win it this time.”

Backlund may even end up watching the world juniors with Heat teammate Keith Aulie, who played for Canada last year and was often on the ice with blueline partner Tyler Myers with the priority assignment of shutting down Backlund’s line.

“He was one of the guys we really keyed on, especially on the power play.

We did a lot of research, seeing what they like to do on their power play and how we were going to stop them. They had a powerful bunch there,” says Aulie. “A lot of effort went into stopping that top line with Mikael on it.”

It was certainly a holiday season like no other for Aulie.

“The fan support is so much more than what you dream of, and it’s an unbelievable feeling getting out there. Having 20,000 wild Canadian fans out there cheering you on is just an unbelievable feeling.”

One of the Canadian traditions prior to the tournament was cutdown day. Up until the last year or two, players who were being released from the team during the selection camp would find out via an earlymorning phone call and they would have to head home before breakfast. Needless to say, it makes for a sleepless night for the young men at camp’s end, something Heat goalie Leland Irving experienced in 2007.

“It’s very nerve-wracking,” says Irving, a native of Swan Hills, Alta., who starred in junior for the WHL’s Everett Silvertips.

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in the tournament’s top 10 in scoring with four goals and seven points.

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Goalie Leland Irving is one of four players on the Abbotsford Heat roster who have participated in the World Junior Championship.

John Van Putten photo

had shared net duties with the pair with during the Super Series with Russia late in the summer of 2007.

“It was obviously disappointing, but it’s just part of the game. Different coaches have an influence on that,” he says.

Heat forward Jamie Lundmark played for Canada twice at the world juniors. In both instances the Canadians came third – 2000 in Sweden and 2001 in Moscow, when Lundmark k finished

•S

can just relax and enjoy it that morning.”

As it turned out, Irving spent most of the tournament as the backup to tournament’s most valuable player, Carey Price, now tending the twine for the Montreal Canadiens. That didn’t diminish, however, Irving’s experience.

“In that short a period of time, you’re with the team wherever you go. Everybody includes you as part of the team, you still battle in practice and go out and have fun with the guys,” says Irving, who calls the gold medal experience unbelievable. “Just the feeling of representing your country, standing on the blueline while they play the anthem is my proudest hockey moment, it’s something I’ll never forget.”

While many get the dreaded early a.m. call the first year they’re invited but not the second, it was the other way around for Irving. He was cut in favour of Steve Mason and Jonathan Bernier in 2008. He

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H C N E B Jim PLAYFAIR

Broughtt y to you by

ABBOTSFORD’S PRO HOCKEY TEAM

Finding an identity HEAT COACH DISCUSSES THE ART OF LINE-JUGGLING In each edition of the Abbotsford News’s FACEOFF Magazine, Abbotsford Heat head coach Jim Playfair sits down with beat reporter Dan Kinvig to give fans the inside scoop on the team.

For future editions of FACEOFF, fans are invited to pose their own questions to Playfair. Submit your questions for consideration via e-mail to sports@abbynews.com, and please include “Behind the bench” in the subject line.

We caught up with Playfair in early December, prior to his team’s two-game split at home against the Rochester Americans.

Q Your playing and coaching career

has had you criss-crossing the continent for the last three decades. Can you give us some insight into what Christmas is like for a hockey player or coach?

A”My wife and I have been away from

our families (at Christmas) for our entire married lives, 20 years. So having our children around at Christmas is the most

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important part of it – having time to get together as a family.

“And over the years, we’ve had different parts of our family come down and visit us.

But basically, being together as a family is the most important part.”

Q Any crazy Christmas stories in terms of travel, or odd hotel room celebrations?

A“Oh god, yeah. I’ve been by myself for Christmas through hockey several times. I had to fly on Christmas Day to play a game in Quebec City one time.

But that’s all part of the deal. Hey, we’re not in a war – we’re still pretty fortunate.”

Q You’re not shy about shuffling the

Heat forward lines from game to game. Talk about your philosophy of putting together lines. Is it an art or is it a science?

A“It’s about how people blend together.

You need some sandpaper, you need some skill, you need some compete, you need some grit. So you mix it up and see what players’ personalities work well together. You’ve got to see how you can move your lines around to make sure they have an identity, and how they match up against the opposition.

“So a lot of things go into it. But basically, for me, it’s about finding four lines that can work and compete together.”

Q Over the last couple of weeks, two

lines for the Heat have been pretty steady – Jaffray-Germyn-Stuart and Murray-Cunning-Riley Armstrong.

Why do those units work well together in your mind?

A“I don’t think it’s any one thing specifi-

cally. They control their shifts, they don’t spend a lot of time in their own zone, and they do a good job structure-wise getting into the offensive zone and cre-

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ating scoring chances. And they’re responsible defensively. Those are the important components.”

Q Through early December, the Heat have actually been slightly more successful on the road

ourselves in a position on most nights to win our home games.

But we’ve made some simple mental mistakes that have cost us at home, and I obviously expect us to be a hell of a lot better at home.”

(.567 winning percentage) than at home (.542). To what extent are you concerned that the Heat haven’t been more dominant at home to this point?

A“When you look at it, we’ve put

Abbotsford Heat head coach Jim Playfair, pictured above offering instruction to his team at practice, believes his squad needs to play better on home ice. “We’ve made some simple mental mistakes that have cost us at home,” he said. photo by John Van Putten

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Steep learning curve for Aulie photo by John Morrow

From A3

Through the first two months of the season, the stay-at-home blueliner sported a -5 rating, but he’s shown signs of progress recently. In six December games, he’s +3.

“Honestly, it’s been a big step for me,” said Aulie, who was a fourth-round draft pick by the Calgary Flames in 2007. “I struggled early a little bit, and it was a big learning curve. I’m still, every day, learning

up with 6’8” Tyler Myers to form an imposing shutdown pairing, and the duo played a key role in Canada’s run to the title in Ottawa.

Aulie embarked on his rookie campaign in the professional ranks this fall with the Heat, and he’s the first to admit that the learning curve has been steep at times.

Collaboration, Compassion, Change Free grief and loss support

new things every day and just getting used to this league.

“Everybody tells you how good the league is, but you really can’t prepare for it until you’re actually playing in it – the everyday grind, the travel, and everything else. The players are bigger, stronger, faster.

“And the style of play, it’s a lot smarter out there. You’ve got to think the game, along with moving your feet and use your body a lot more. It’s something I’m catching on to a little bit, and hopefully I can continue to make strides.”

Thinking the game shouldn’t be a huge stretch for Aulie, who shatters the dumb-jock stereotype. He was the WHL’s scholastic player of the year in 2006-07 after maintaining an academic average just north of 94 per cent while tackling a daunting slate of Grade 12 courses.

It’s no secret where Aulie developed his work ethic. In the hockey off-sea-

son, he immerses himself in his family’s farm operation in Rouleau, located a 25-minute drive southwest of Regina.

Keith and his dad farm just under 4,000 acres, growing wheat, canola and lentils.

“I have a passion for grain farming,” Aulie said. “I like being outdoors, and I think it just runs in the blood. I like the science behind it all – getting the best crops possible, and all the factors that go into that.”

The Heat, for their part, believe they’re growing a promising prospect in Aulie. Head coach Jim Playfair said that the young D-man is meeting the organization’s expectations in terms of his development.

“He’ll become a strong defending defenceman,” Playfair predicted. “He’s a great skater, and his history indicates that every year he gets a little bit better.

I think that’s where he is right now. He’s improving, he’s getting better.”

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A

t this time of the year, it’s customary to thank all of those who have supported us throughout the year.

In this spirit, we would like to extend our sincerest thanks to our clients and friends. May 2010 be a spectacular year!

Want to know more about our Abbotsford Heat hockey team?

Find it at

abbynews.com and click on the ad.

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Coming attractions SIZING UP THE HEAT’S HOME-ICE OPPONENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY

TexasSTARS

Lake ErieMONSTERS

NHL AFFLIATE: Dallas Stars IN ABBY: Jan. 8-9 RECORD (as of Dec. 15): 19-7-2-2, 42 points, first in West Division PLAYER TO WATCH: Brent Krahn, G

NHL AFFLIATE: Colorado Avalanche IN ABBY: Jan. 15-16 RECORD (as of Dec. 15): 9-16-0-3, 21 points, seventh in North Division PLAYER TO WATCH: Darren Haydar, RW

Krahn, a former first-round pick of the Calgary Flames (ninth overall in 2000), has been lights-out this season for the Stars. He leads the AHL in both goals-against average (1.41) and save percentage (.958), and has won 10 of his 12 starts.

B.C. CONTENT: Aaron Gagnon, C, Quesnel; Raymond Sawada, RW, Richmond; Tyler Shelast, RW, Kelowna; Brad Lukowich, D, Cranbrook

At 5’9”, 170 pounds, Haydar isn’t a big guy, but he’s had a huge impact in the AHL over the past few years. The diminutive sniper’s best season came in 2006-07, when he paced the AHL in scoring with 122 points (41 goals, 81 assists).

B.C. CONTENT: Brock Bradford, LW, Burnaby; Josh Aspenlind, RW, Langley; Brandon Yip, RW, Maple Ridge; Travis Gawryletz, D, Trail

ManitobaMOOSE

HoustonAEROS

NHL AFFLIATE: Vancouver Canucks IN ABBY: Jan. 12-13 RECORD (as of Dec. 15): 16-13-4-0, 36 points, third in West Division PLAYER TO WATCH: Sergei Shirokov, RW

NHL AFFLIATE: Minnesota Wild IN ABBY: Jan. 22-23 RECORD (as of Dec. 15): 13-12-2-1, 29 points, fifth in West Division PLAYER TO WATCH: Anton Khudobin, G

Shirokov was a training camp sensation with the Canucks, but he was demoted to the AHL after a slow start to the season. He’s been the chief offensive threat for the Moose, posting 11 goals and 10 assists in 30 games.

B.C. CONTENT: Michael Funk, D, Abbotsford; Matt Pope, RW, Langley

The Wild snared Khudobin late in the 2004 draft (seventh round, 206th overall), and the Kazakh goalie has come on strong in his third pro season. Khudobin’s 1.89 goals-against average is third-best in the AHL, and he also boasts a solid .921 save percentage.

B.C. CONTENT: Colton Gillies, C, White Rock; Clayton Stoner, D, Port McNeill

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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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ABBOTSFORD’S PRO HOCKEY TEAM

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

FACE

ABBOTSFORD’S PRO HOCKEY TEAM

Heat spread holiday warmth PLAYERS VISIT PEDIATRICS WARD AT ABBOTSFORD REGIONAL HOSPITAL

On Dec. 4, a group of Abbotsford Heat players and team mascot Hawkey visited the pediatrics ward at Abbotsford Regional Hospital to spread Christmas cheer.

ABOVE PHOTO: Cheyenne Leonard, age 8, had a crowd of red-clad visitors in her

hospital room. Heat players, from left, are Colin Stuart, John Armstrong, Garth Murray, Josh Meyers, Brad Cole, Matt Pelech, Jason Jaffray (foreground), Gord Baldwin (background), David Van der Gulik, Pete Vandermeer and Mikael Backlund.

FACING PAGE, BOTTOM LEFT: Darian Morellato talks video games with Jaffray and Stuart.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Patient Masa Kono looks on as his brother gets a high five from Hawkey.

TOP LEFT: John Armstrong signs an autograph for a hospital volunteer.

TOP RIGHT: Pharmacist John Warkentin gets a hug from Hawkey. photos by John Morrow

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ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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play

ABBOTSFORD’S PRO HOCKEY TEAM

Heat jockeying for position in playoff race

play

by

Dave SHELDON

With the American Hockey League campaign now nearing the Christmas break, the Abbotsford Heat find themselves in the thick of a playoff race in the North Division.

As the first half of the season nears its completion, teams will begin jockeying for position in two races – the race to make the playoffs, and the chance to win the division.

The first part of the conversation is how to make the playoffs. It should be noted that prior to moving to Abbotsford, the Calgary Flames farm team did not make the AHL playoffs the past

two seasons. It should also be noted that with the flux of change that is the AHL, with new coaches in place and a new venue to play in, that what you have done in the past in this league is best saved for nostalgia night at your favourite local watering hole while singing Springsteen’s Glory Days. It doesn’t matter.

Back to the playoff question. For the Heat to make the post-season this year, they will have to beat out three teams to get into the top four of the North Division. Currently, the Heat are fourth in the division, and just as important, fourth in winning percentage.

The winning percentage is important to note as teams have not played the same number of games.

For example, take the Manitoba Moose. The Moose are second in the division with 34 points, but just fifth in winning percentage as they have played more games than anyone else. Grand Rapids is on the other end of the spectrum, – currently fifth in points, out of the playoffs, but third in winning percentage, having played eight fewer games than the Moose.

What do these stats mean? Until the first of March, teams will have oddities in their schedule that will

not allow them to all play the same number of games, so keep an eye on the winning percentage in the division to gauge where the Heat are at. As long as the Heat can maintain their winning percentage pace, they will make the playoffs.

To have any chance to win the division, you have to play great against your division. The Heat will play 40 of their 80 games against their six North Division opponents, and the good news for Abbotsford is that they have proven that they are capable of beating every team in the division. So far, with the exception of Grand Rapids, they have.

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"I am so dedicated to the kids now that I’m involved with whatever I can be, whether it’s a fundraising dinner or a Dreamlift flying 80 children to Disney. No matter how much I do, I’ll never be able to put as much into this organization as I’ve gotten out of it."

SNOWSHOES from $139 2 - 1707 Salton Road, Abbotsford 604.850.5523 • www.vpo.ca ONE BLOCK FROM THE ABBOTSFORD ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS CENTRE

Dream with us - be a Sunshine volunteer To find out how to volunteer, call us at 1-800-461-7935 or visit our website at www.sunshine.ca

ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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ABBOTSFORD’S PRO HOCKEY TEAM

Through 13 division games so far, the Heat are two games over .500 with a 7-5-0-1 record. To win the division, the Heat will need to win 25 games minimum to have a chance. That means down the stretch, with 27 divisional games remaining, the Heat need to win two of every three games versus the North to have a shot at the title.

I didn’t say it would be easy. If it were easy, everyone would win the division.

Mikael Backlund (left) chases Hamilton Bulldogs defenceman Shawn Belle on the forecheck. The Bulldogs are one of the teams the Heat will have to track down if they hope to win the North Division.

John Morrow photo

Dave Sheldon is the director of communications and broadcast for the Abbotsford Heat. He writes a monthly column for FACEOFF magazine.

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ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

FACE

ABBOTSFORD’S PRO HOCKEY TEAM

MEET

Have you herd?

The bucks over at Abbotsford Chrysler wish you a safe Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

NUMBER

19 J.D. WATT

Q You’re from Cremona, Alta. What’s something you can get in your hometown you can’t get anywhere else?

A “Every small town in Alberta will have a great Chinese restaurant.

We’ve also got a hockey arena and a curling rink, and there’s only about 400 or 500 people. So that’s about all you can find there.”

Q During your WHL days with the Vancouver Giants, you had a reputation as a real agitator. What’s the best trash-talk line you’ve heard on the ice?

A “The one best I’ve ever heard was, I was playing for the Giants against (current Anaheim Ducks forward) Kyle Chipchura. He was playing for the Prince Albert Raiders, and I was just a young guy. I was chirping him a bit, and he says to me, ‘Hey buddy, you bring your lunch box next game, and I’ll sign it for you.’ I thought that was pretty good.”

RAM

Q Which song on your iPod do you hope your teammates never find out about?

A “Last night, I downloaded some songs by Andrea Bocelli. They’d probably make fun of me, but I quite enjoy it. I don’t know exactly what genre his is – it’s almost opera, but I like that stuff too. I like all kinds of music.”

RAM

Q Who did you look up to as a young guy?

A “My favourite hockey player was Al MacInnis. He’s actually a good friend of my dad’s.

“When he played in Calgary, he ended up at the same golf course as my father, and they’ve golfed together forever. My dad still makes some trips down to St. Louis, and (MacInnis) comes out every summer. He’s been really good to me and given me a lot of great advice.”

Q Hockey players are renowned for practical jokes. What’s the best one you’ve pulled off, or the best one you’ve seen?

A “My most memorable one was, I was playing in Vancouver and we KANE FEATHERSTONE

LARRY SPROULE

JOHN LETKEMAN

CUPID

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ROB FERGUSON

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went out for warm-ups before a game. In the pucks that they gave us, there was a soft rubber puck – it looked just like a regular one but wouldn’t hurt anyone. We had our team doctors and trainers on the bench watching, and I took this puck and just ripped it at the bench. It hit one of the doctors in the head, and all three trainers thought the guy was dead. But he wouldn’t have felt it at all, because it was basically just a sponge. But it was great to see the expressions on their faces.”

ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

FACE

ABBOTSFORD’S PRO HOCKEY TEAM

MEET NUMBER

36 Matt KEETLEY

POWERPLAY PACKS

Q You’re from Medicine Hat, Alta. What’s something you

THE BEST WAY TO SAVE ON HEAT HOCKEY IS TO GET YOUR GLOVES ON A POWERPLAY PACK!

can get in your hometown you can’t get anywhere else?

A “You can see the world’s tallest teepee, supposedly. It’s

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from the Olympics in 1988 in Calgary. And there’s this place called Tino’s Drive-In – it’s got the best chilli chips I’ve ever tasted, and it’s something you can’t get anywhere else.”

Q You played your WHL hockey for your hometown Medicine Hat Tigers. That must have been special.

A “It was amazing. Everywhere you went, people were congratulating you on a big win, or you’d be getting deals in places you wouldn’t expect. For me, it was the most special time. I loved it.”

Q You’ve got nine minutes of NHL experience, coming in

to mop up for Miikka Kiprusoff in a 4-1 Calgary Flames loss to the Colorado Avalanche in November of 2007.

What was that moment like?

A “It was exciting. I think I hyperventilated for the first five minutes of it, and then the game was almost done. It was a great experience, but you definitely get a taste for it and want to get back. It makes you work harder to get there again.”

wall?

A “Any goalie you could think of, I had him on my wall. I just loved goalies growing up. Belfour, Cujo, Hasek, Jose Theodore, Chris Osgood, and lots of other guys.”

Q It’s still early in the season, but so far, who’s got the worst fashion sense on this Abbotsford Heat team?

A “There’s a few of them. I’ll go with Kris Chucko, because he wears sweat pants everywhere.”

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ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

FACE

ABBOTSFORD’S PRO HOCKEY TEAM

stats

Our goal is to

assist your scoring chances

AHL STANDINGS, AS OF DEC. 18 WESTERN CONFERENCE

by reaching more buyers in our community.

North Division Rochester Americans Hamilton Bulldogs Manitoba Moose Grand Rapids Griffins Abbotsford Heat Toronto Marlies Lake Erie Monsters

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THURSDAY

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There is no simple answer, mainly due to the fact Abbotsford’s 137,000-strong population is as diverse as they come.

One thing is certain: Abbotsford and the makeup of its residents has changed dramatically, and the trend shows no sign of slowing.

With a population that has more than doubled since 1981, 86 per cent of Abbotsford’s current residents are below 65 years of age. At 36.6, Abbotsford residents have the lowest average age of cities in the Lower Mainland and Valley, making Abbotsford one of the youngest cities in B.C. Continued on A4

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Abbotsford’s preferred community newspaper, published every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.

Manchester Monarchs Lowell Devils Bridgeport Sound Tigers Portland Pirates Worcester Sharks Hartford Wolf Pack Providence Bruins Springfield Falcons East Division Hershey Bears Albany River Rats Binghampton Senators Norfolk Admirals Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Adirondack Phantoms Syracuse Crunch

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ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

FACE

ABBOTSFORD’S PRO HOCKEY TEAM

stats

Canada's Winter Tire Experts!

AHL TOP GOALIES AS OF DEC. 18 Brent Krahn, Texas Cedrick Desjardins, Hamilton Anton Khudobin, Houston Jonathan Bernier, Manchester Michal Neuvirth, Hershey Justin Peters, Albany Wade Dublielewicz, Houston Chad Johnson, Hartford Curtis Sanford, Hamilton Nathan Lawson, Bridgeport Alexander Salak, Rochester Matt Climie, Texas Dustin Tokarski, Norfolk Chet Pickard, Milwaukee John Curry, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Alex Stalock, Worcester Mike McKenna, Lowell Cory Schneider, Manitoba Daniel Larsson, Grand Rapids Dany Sabourin, Provindence

AVG

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1.41 1.45 1.89 1.96 1.99 2.03 2.05 2.14 2.19 2.21 2.26 2.26 2.30 2.35 2.40 2.41 2.42 2.46 2.48 2.52

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AVG

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ABBOTSFORD HEAT SCORING STATS AS OF DEC. 18 Jason Jaffray Colin Stuart Jamie Lundmark Carsen Germyn Kris Chucko Mikael Backlund David Van der Gulik Garth Murray Keith Seabrook John Negrin Riley Armstrong Brett Sutter Matt Pelech Cam Cunning Gord Baldwin John Armstrong Hugo Carpenter J.D. Watt Keith Aulie Ryley Grantham Josh Meyers Brett Palin Brad Cole Peter Vandermeer Staffan Kronwall Leland Irving David Shantz Matt Keetley

GOALIE STATS Matt Keetley Leland Irving David Shantz

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT. Mission Junction Shopping Centre 32545 London Ave. • 604-826-5851

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ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

FACE

ABBOTSFORD’S PRO HOCKEY TEAM

Whaddaya know?

Throughout this edition of FACEOFF, we’ve presented a heaping helping of information about the Abbotsford Heat.

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Now, it’s time to test your knowledge. Answer the questions below for a chance to win tickets to see the Heat play.

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At Beck Collision Services, we guarantee our workmanship and material on body and paint repairs for the life of your vehicle as long as you own it.

1 At last year’s World Junior Championships, Abbotsford Heat

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2 Aulie is one of four Heat players who have played at the World

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defenceman Keith Aulie was paired with which current member of the Buffalo Sabres?

Juniors, and one of only two to win gold. Name the other gold medallist.

3 The Lake Erie Monsters visit the Heat on Jan. 15-16. Which NHL team are the Monsters affiliated with?

4 Who was J.D. Watt’s favourite NHL player growing up?

5 Heat goalie Matt Keetley played his junior hockey for his hometown WHL team. What’s the name of that team?

6 Heat forward Jamie Lundmark won a pair of medals at the world juniors. What colour (gold, silver, bronze) were the medals he won?

7 As of the publication of this magazine, which Heat player was among the top 20 scorers in the league?

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ABBOTSFORD NEWS

A21

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

FACE YOUR ANSWERS...

ABBOTSFORD’S PRO HOCKEY TEAM

OUR PROS DO IT RIGHT Autobody repair is a craft and our professional staff are trained to do the job right.

If you’re involved in an accident come see us for fast service and great results.

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Conducted by The Abbotsford News and is open to all residents of Canada except the employees, agents, contractors and their immediate families of The Abbotsford News and the Mission Record. The winner must answer a time-limited skill testing question.

The winners name and photograph may be used in any advertising or publicity without compensation.

The judge’s decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into. No purchase necessary.

AUTO REPAIR

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Answer all seven questions correctly and drop off this page at The Abbotsford News. If all answers are correct, your name will be entered into a draw box.

Contest will be drawn on Jan 18.

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Contest expires January 18, 2010.

The Abbotsford News

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A22

ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

FACE

NEW 2010 MODELS, ACCESSORIES & MORE! END OF SEASON SAVINGS & SHOW SPECIALS ASPHALT JUNKIEZ THROTTLE TRAUMA SHOWS SUPERMOTO DEMONSTRATIONS YAMAHA RIDING ACADEMY, LEARN TO RIDE FOR KIDS AGES 6 - 12

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HOURS THU 5PM-9PM FRI 10AM-9PM SAT 10AM-9PM SUN 10AM-5PM TICKETS $12 AT THE DOOR OR IN ADVANCE ONLINE AND AT SELECT DEALERS

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PRESENTERS

TRADEX, ABBOTSFORD JANUARY 21-24

ABBOTSFORD NEWS

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

FACE

ABBOTSFORD’S PRO HOCKEY TEAM

JANUARY SCHEDULE

09/10

FRIDAY JANUARY 1 at San Antonio Rampage

4:00 PM

TTUESDAY JANUARY 12 M Manitoba Moose

SUNDAY JANUARY 3 at Houston Aeros

2:05 PM

W WEDNESDAY JANUARY 13 M Manitoba Moose

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 Texas Stars

7:30 PM

FFRIDAY JANUARY 15 LLake Erie Monsters

7:30 PM

SATURDAY JANUARY 9 Texas Stars

4:00 PM

SATURDAY JANUARY 16 S LLake Erie Monsters

4:00 PM

FFRIDAY JANUARY 22 Houston Aeros

7:30 PM

SATURDAY JANUARY 23 Houston Aeros

4:00 PM

FRIDAY JANUARY 29 at Texas Stars

5:30 PM

SATURDAY JANUARY 30 at Texas Stars

5:00 PM

DATES COLOURED RED ARE HOME GAMES.

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