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Friday, June 18, 2010 - The Morning Star A23
Sports
EDITOR: KEVIN MITCHELL
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Rouault smart choice for Pack KEVIN MITCHELL Sports Editor
Giant wingspan. Studies the game like he's doing a thesis. Scores and rebounds in clutch situations. Brett Rouault brings the whole package and a little more to the basketball court. The Thompson Rivers University (TRU) WolfPack will welcome his hoop show next year. The 6-foot-4 forward, who guided the Fulton Maroons to the bronze medal at the B.C. Senior AA Boys Basketball Championships in Kamloops last March, follows Brett Parker of Langley's Walnut Grove Gators as a major high school recruit for TRU (3-15 last year). “I’m very excited to be part of a CIS program and to have the opportunity to improve as an athlete as well as student,” said Rouault, who will enter the Bachelor of Science program. “Hopefully, I can play for them right away.” Rouault played just one season for Fulton after his family moved from Edmonton, where he starred for the Jasper Place Rebels and Team Alberta. Fulton head coach Dale Olson loved what he got from the 17-year-
old, who led the Maroons with 22.5 points and seven rebounds a game. "He's got good athleticism and his basketball IQ is huge," said Olson. "He's sixfour, but he plays six-six, six-seven because he deflects passes on defence all the time. His hands are always moving. He's a player and he's made for the CIS." Rouault drained the first 17 points in his school's semifinal game at the provincials and made the tournament all-star team, with TRU officials watching. “He scored some big points when I scouted him at the 2010 B.C. AA High School Championships,” said WolfPack head coach Scott Clark. "He is an outstanding individual. Not only is he athletic but an 'A' student. He is the type of person we want to attract in our efforts to build a successful program.” The 190-pound Rouault becomes the third Maroon to join the WolfPack: following in the footsteps of Travis Beck (2009-10) and Charles Barton (2008-09). “I am a strong shooter, who has had no problems with taking the ball inside,” Rouault said about his play. “I believe if that I work hard enough, I can give almost
everyone problems with my defensive play.” Rouault is excited about playing for new WolfPack coach Clark, who coached the SFU Clansmen for 15 years, making the playoffs 10 times. “It’s exciting to play for a coach who has had so much success in the CIS already. I am looking forward to learning from him and improving my game.” Added Clark: “He has nothing but upside. He scores from a variety of different areas. Once he matures physically, he should be an integral part of our future. First though, he’ll need to learn our system.” Rouault, who turns 18 Aug. 27, was also looking at both Alberta and UBC-O. “TRU is close to my family and they showed the most interest in me as a player. And I love the almost brand new facilities.” Olson expects Rouault to succeed in both hoops and life. "He's extremely smart. He wants to be a doctor so he'll get in five years there and then go to med school. I think he's going to have a good CIS career." Rouault, an NBA Lakers fan, will spend the summer training and working for the family business (Lakeside Docks & Lifts).
WILSON WONG PHOTO
Brett Rouault of the Fulton Maroons handles the ball in the provincial high school all-star game.
Lazar rates top B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame honours KEVIN MITCHELL Sports Editor
Curtis Lazar wrote his math final Thursday to close out his Grade 9 year at George Elliot Secondary School. The rest of his summer will entail meeting with the Edmonton Oil Kings’ training staff and following their orders, going to a dryland camp in Los Angeles and then attending a basic hockey fantasy weekend in Penticton. Lazar, a Vernon resident, is the 2010 winner of the Hockey Now/B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame Minor Hockey Player Achievement PHOTO SUBMITTED Award. The honour is handed out Vernon’s Curtis Lazar (right) plays in the Edmonton Oil Kings’ spring camp. annually to a B.C. Amateur Hockey Association player who best exem- Seabrook and Shea Weber. Lazar captained the Pursuit plifies sportsmanship, leadership “The award is great and a sur- of Excellence (POE) Hockey and hockey skill. prise because they said there were Academy’s Bantam AAA team this He will receive his award Friday, nine guys being considered, but it’s past season, racking up 57 goals July 23 at the South Okanagan pretty unreal to get to play in the and 115 points in 51 games. Events Centre, and then play the charity game with some NHLers,” The Oil Kings selected Lazar next day in a summer classic with said Lazar, 15. “That’s probably with the second overall pick in NHLers like Duncan Keith, Brent what I’m most excited about.” the Western Hockey League
Bantam Draft. Lazar led POE to six tournament titles. At two of the most prestigious Bantam tournaments in Canada – the Kamloops International Bantam Tournament and St. Albert’s John Reid Memorial Tournament – he was named top forward and tournament MVP. Lazar grew up playing for the Vernon Minor Hockey Association before playing his two Bantam seasons with Pursuit. He maintained a 4.0 GPA at George Elliot. Along with his teammates, Lazar has volunteered in the community by doing yard work, preparing food to be sent to third-world countries, and teaching young children to skate. His coaches and teachers characterize him as having extraordinary character, humility, and work ethic. “It’s nice to be recognized for my off-ice achievements,” said Lazar. “My coaches in Salmon Arm, Vernon and at Pursuit have all taught me about values, and
my family (Dave and Karen Lazar) have been huge. Without them, none of this would be possible. Them shelling out the money so I could play for Pursuit was huge. My grandparents have also supported my hockey financially.” Next season, Lazar will play for Penticton’s Okanagan Hockey Academy on the Major Midget prep team, coached by former NHLers Robert Dirk and Dixon Ward. Lazar turns 16 on Feb. 2. The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder played in the Oil Kings’ spring camp a few weeks ago. “It was a lot of fun. I thought I was pretty big in Bantam, but when I played against all those Dub (WHL) kids, I was small. I’ll be working on improving my speed and upper-body strength so when the bigger guys hit me, I can stay on my feet.” The Hall of Fame inductees are Trevor Linden, Dallas Drake, Bruce Hamilton, and Frank Lento.
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