Fri 4 Jul, 2008
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Worth working hard for Canada  x40
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| Butch Worth gets his point across |
September 5, 2001 
Andrew Griffiths
> Page Views 8978
Canada has gone looking for help from down under to get the Canadian women's team back into top level international contention.
In July, Butch Worth was appointed as the new coach of the national team, who have not played in an Olympics or World Cup since 1994.
Worth has an impressive coaching resume which includes an assistant coach's role with the bronze-medal-winning Australian men's Olympic team and several years in the renowned Australian coaching system with the Australian Institute of Sport.
He is also familiar with Canada, having coached in Manitoba in the early 90's.
PlanetFieldHockey talked to Worth about his thoughts on the Canadian women's program after two months in his new job, and his team's prospects at the upcoming World Cup Qualifier in France.
PlanetFieldHockey: What are your first impressions of Canadian Women's Field Hockey?
Butch Worth: My first impressions are that field hockey in Canada faces similar problems that Australia faces. A hockey playing population that is scattered throughout a large country, mostly in isolated pockets. A sport that relies a lot on Government funding and has difficulty in attracting corporate sponsorship dollars. Quite a bit of rivalry between provinces that does not necessarily help field hockey at the National Level.
PFH: What has impressed you about our Women's National Team Athletes?
BW: In the 8 weeks that I have been working with the girls I have found them very professional in their outlook. They have a good work ethic, generally work very well together and are very determined to qualify at the WCQ tournament in France.
PFH: How can Canada's domestic field hockey program improve?
BW: It seems to me that we plan from the top down and maybe we need to spend more time working from the bottom up. There needs to be a clear pathway established for Junior players aspiring to the National Team and obviously by the time Junior players reach this level they should be able to execute all the basic skills very well and have a very good knowledge of positional play and different systems of play. Much of this can be offset with greater emphasis on coach education in the provinces.
PFH: Can an Australian Development Model work in Canada?
BW: I sense that Canada is already heading in this direction with the appointment of full time National Coaches and the establishment of the National Training Centers in a number of the cities.Ultimately, the provinces need to have a full time coach for their program. Not only to coach the provincial teams but work in with the National coaches in improving coach education.This process means that we establish a "Canadian" style of play which is developed country wide and allows easy transition into the National program.
PFH: How long will it take for us to develop a women's national team that can play with the top six countries?
BW: A very difficult question. If you wished to put all your resources into one team right now it might only take two or three years. However, if you wished that team to continue at that level it could take six to eight years as there would also need to be a very good development group and infrastructure behind the program. To me, the long term plan is the more beneficial one for Canadian Field Hockey.
PFH: Who do you rate as the top countries at the WCQ ?
BW: I think the top countries at the WCQ will be England and Japan. India could be a dark horse.
PFH: How do you think Canada will do at the WCQ?
BW: I think that if the girls play with confidence and to their abilities they will qualify for the World Cup in 2002.
Your opinion counts.
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Opinions expressed here do not represent the official views of PlanetFieldHockey.com or its staff. Comments will be removed if they are considered offensive or of a personal nature.
Comments on this article
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Island Fan
09-06-2001 10:29 am
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He has hit the nail........
That is exactly what needs to happen here in Canada. We are very fagmented in our sport in every aspect. We tend to complain without really looking at what we need to do to be successful.
If we go the quick "fix" route then we are back to where we are now in 3 years.
I am sure we will have negative comments in this forum...just as we had in every other forum on this website.
How about we make use of our ideas and make constructive comments.
" Be part of the solution not part of the Problem"
Good Luck @ WCQ's!!!
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Yan Huckendubler
09-06-2001 12:26 pm
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Thank you Butch for this clear assessment of the situation and a positive look at the path ahead of us.
I am sure that the Canadian Team will play "with confidence and to their abilities and will qualify for the World Cup in 2002"!
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Maple Leaf
09-06-2001 9:14 pm
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learn from the your northern neighbor
The assessment is spot on. Well done Butch, and well done Canada in allowing your coach to take you forward. Too bad the USA cannot learn from this as well. They have a good coach, but lack the support of the organisation. Just a bunch of people with titles who get paid regardless. They could learn from us on this one. It is a shame that the USA have not progressed more. We obviously are more on the ball with our development. I - no, many of us predict Canada will be leaving the USA in the dust as we prepare for Perth and beyond! We have the players, the support, and we now have the coach.
GO CANADA!
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side note
09-08-2001 1:51 am
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the picture
Just for everyones information the player standing next Butch is Sunil Fernandes. For those who are going to the Junior World Cup they should watch out for him. He is amazing.
I saw him at Cal Cup when he was 15 and he was playing in the super competitive division. The man in unreal. His basics are outstanding and the things he does on the run are simply breath taking. I pitty the Indian defender who has to face him on the first day of the JWC. Although he is only 5'4 he is a bull of a man. If he gets you on his wrong side its game over. He's cutthroat in the circle too. Some say he is a minature Dhanraj Pillay minus the mullet.
Teams will have to watch out for his patented "Spin move". He has also worked on a new skill that I guarantee no one has ever seen, The REVERSE DRAGFLICK.
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Uncle Sam
09-08-2001 11:27 am
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Dreaming......
uSo you think Canada will leave the USA in the dust, while Butch doesn't see them as "one of the top countries" at the WCF......Sleep well y'all!! During the summer the USA not only beat Japan, but also Olympic no 4 Spain, played 2-2 against England, and did very well against Germany, Holland and Korea...The only real beating they took was from Australia (5-1). So....you'd better watch out in France, or you'll go flat on your back!!
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sandeep
09-08-2001 12:30 pm
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Uncle Lame
I had a dream once too that we had ten times the players that we do now and a hundred times the funding and a college league with hundreds of teams and we could still not crack the top five...ever. The dream went on and our country had the olympics twice but we still were unable to improve even marginally.....Oh wait I am wide awake in America laying face down yet......
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Uncle Sam
09-09-2001 9:17 am
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Lame
Let's wait, and see what happens in France...
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Ellen
09-09-2001 9:24 am
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to Sandeep
Sandeep, I think you're still sleeping!
Why don't you look at the future? Is it some kind of frustration?
By the way, we were 3rd in Atlanta!
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Canada Fan
09-09-2001 4:15 pm
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Yankee Doodle meets Uncle Lame
Wow... you beat Japan!!!!! I am surprised after that you are not thinking a WorldCup Title!!! Get a good "Club" system and quit relying on an antiquated college system to get you to crack the top 10.
I wish we had all those millions to throw away. How many players do you have? What do you have to show for it?
Send "Old Dominion" or "Maryland" to come up north to play an "ALL CANADIAN" UVIC,UBC or U of T ...if they are allowed.
I have never seen such a rich country in players and $$$$, squander so much away!!... must be nice! What?... do you have triple our resources? You can keep on dream'n!
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TO: Canada
09-09-2001 8:10 pm
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what are you talking about
Not real sure what money you are all talking about, the players see nothing next to what you might think, if anyone has money, it is the administration, NO ONE ELSE. The only squandering going on is by them - the players and coaches have nothing. So, whatever millions you think you we might have, you are wrong, maybe try calling the office staff - I think it is in their paychecks.
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hockey fan
09-09-2001 8:53 pm
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usa vs canada
as neither an american or a canadian i find your debate very interesting. i tend to think the canadians have a point although they are a long way from international standard at least it appears that they are giving it a go!
the ncaa ruins field hockey in america. the coaches are not educated and have little idea about the game.
the basic skill and fitness level of the national team is concerning and it must be hard if not inpossible to re-teach many of the skills that have been taught incorrectly over many years. also many college coaches don't seem to allow their players to think rather they would prefer to stand on the sideline and control their players actions.
i wish the canadians luck in their new approach to the game. maybe they will get a little sportsmanship and ethics along with it and become a good team.
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Sandeep
09-09-2001 9:09 pm
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Ellen's Futurama
Third??
According to the USA FH site the final standings in Atlanta were 1.AUS, 2.KOR, 3.NED, 4.GBR, 5. USA, 6.GER, 7.ARG, 8.ESP
Maybe you are thinking of some two team tournament.
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kris
09-10-2001 10:15 pm
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ellen
so cool that we came third in atlanta but someone forgot to give me my bronze medal!:-(
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Ellen
09-11-2001 7:03 am
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USA hockey
Sorry guys, I made a little mistake. I thought we were 3rd, but I was only 6 at the time so I don't remember so well!
Anyway, 5th is not bad either, so what are we talking about!!
I agree that with all the financial power both the uSA and Canada have, we both should have done much better. But I know from my own experience that our coaches (in BOTH countries) have absolutely no clue about the way this game is supposed to be played. They think it is some kind of American football with a stick, and that you should just be strong and able to run very fast and for a long time...The fact that hockey should be a passing game goes completely beyond them. I think, that if they do not start copying the way the top countries like Holland, Argentina, Australia etc. play, they will never be anywhere near the top. So, I suggest, we hire lots of foreign coaches, who know what they are talking about, and let the US and Canadian coaches assist them, and within a few years we will see some results. And a final suggestion, get some cute foreign male coaches, this will make it easier for us as well. We will never skip a training any more, and it will be a relief from those powerhungry b.... we are used to!
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subjective
09-11-2001 4:12 pm
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ellen, et al.
Not the answer oh young one. NOT ALL foreign coaches are the next coming of christ. So, nix that idea. There are some good ones, but to open the doors for this incoming exodus wont solve a thing. There is more to sport in the USA then just coaching, and the college coaches fair better than one might think. The problem the USA have is the structure and funding. The collegiate system benefits many of the sports offered, but it does not benefit the field hockey. The top countries have a great club system in place. That is what the usa need, a club system. Not that this will solve answers immediately, but it will help. Again, do be so easily fooled that bringing in foreign coaches will solve all the problems, it wont, it will create more of what is already a nasty mess for development. OR, should I say a lack of development.
So, you are 11 years old, if you were 6 for the Atlanta games, seems as if you should grow up a bit more before spouting off.
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badasscndian
09-12-2001 12:10 am
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College hockey in North America
I live in Canada. I see what some of my canadians friends receive when they are picked up by schools down in the states. A friend of mine played 4 years at Ohio state, she has shoes, sticks, shorts, shirts, jackets, sweaters. You name it, all from nike (except the sticks of course). That sort of thing does not happen here in canada. The only things that we get for being a varsity athlete are clothing that is payed for by our fundraising efforts. Yes, people do get full rides in field hockey, so the ncaa does have money to throw into field hockey. The CIAU has athletes in it that pay there own way, sacrifice a regular university life style. Even more broke than the average student. I think it would be cool to have the top CIAU hockey teams square off against the Old Dom, UNC, and Maryland, in a north american cup or something. That would be interesting. I agree with some of the other comments that we need to start from the bottom up and we need to develop a good club system. I'm a young coach and I agree that most of the coaches in this country don't let there athletes think for themselves. The players in this country need to be more creative. Just recently a new program developer was hired in my province and he is from Australia. He is mind boggled at the way we play hockey. He tells us all the time that we need to think for ourselves, that is the biggest thing that is stopping us from jumping to that next level internationally. I think we will do well if we just play hard and give our all. Go Canada Go!!!
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badasscndian
09-12-2001 7:47 am
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reply
Not every university has the same funding or money to put towards field hockey as an Ohio State. Basically it is the school with the big time football or basketball programs, and with the big name sponsorship that has the money. It isnt the ncaa that decides - they say what the maximum of scholarships can be, but it is up that university of what they can give - nearly none of the athletic directors of the USA universities care about field hockey, as winning a national championship in field hockey will NEVER bring them the money or exposure that winning in say football and basketball. So really, they could care less about hockey - some programs get things, some pay for their own sticks, shoes, etc. So, it is by no means an equal playing field. By the way, when was the last time Ohio State went to the final four? Try never - so just because they get stuff by no means make them well coached, competitive, or a good team - there is an abundance of mediocrity of US Coaches as well as programs. It is about the money - who has it and what they want done with it, but some of the best funded teams still havent won a final four. Old Dominion doesnt even have the full amount of scholarships allowed by the ncaa and they are consistently competing for the college championship. So go figure. You have a lot of these coaches just brining in the aust, arg, dutch, and others as they are far better than some of the american players. All these coaches want is to win and get their bonuses. Duke is a perfect example, do you really think they would be doing as well as they are without the canadian girls. Michigan State, Michigan, Maryland, Old Dominion, Kent, JMU Princeton, Ohio State, etc - they all have at times up to 4 foreign players - some get the results of winning, some dont, which makes you wonder with some of that talent, what is the missing answer - maybe coaching? Probably. Even some of the smaller schools are now following suit, thinking if they win they may get more. Kudos to those with no foreign players. It is without a doubt that the foreign players make the american kids better and the coaches look good. Wonder how good some of these programs would be without the foreiners, or would that mean that some coaches would really have to earn their paychecks. Most definitely a couple do, most do not. Good luck to the USA and to Canada. It is as if you are competing with one hand tied behind your sports and countries financial backs.
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Lisa
09-12-2001 8:19 am
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Re: badasscndian
You are right about the amount of stuff we get for playing but the average student also pays $30,000- $40,000 a year and some schools have 30,000 people.
So obviously there is more $$$ flying around....
As far as the colleges playing against some canadian universities....
Princeton just beat UofToronto 5-0 and 6-0.....
So it might be a waste of time to set up some sort of tournament involving some Canadian and US college teams..
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Peter
09-12-2001 1:10 pm
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USA / Canada
This is a very interesting conversation that's going on. I am a player (and sometime coach) from Europe, who has spent some time in the USA and has seen a number of college hockeygames.
I think that Ellen (young as she may be)has hit the nail on the head! US coaches have no idea what the game is about. They do not watch foreign competitions, they do not even make an effort to see what is happening in the rest of the world. That's why US teams get clobbered when they come over to Europe or the Far East. Korea, or China never had any hockey tradition or experience, but look where they are now. They just copied the game the way it is being played in Europe,Argentina and Australia, and then tried to improve on it (just like the Japanese did with their cars etc.) So, if the USA and Canada would do the same, and if the coaches would admit that their systems do not work, you can finally get somewhere (instead of being a toy for the others)
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Re: Peter
09-12-2001 2:09 pm
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Hey Peter where do you play and who do you coach??
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Sandeep
09-12-2001 9:37 pm
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Peter
So true Peter,
we have been left standing still in women's hockey since 1988. Canada was ranked in the top six then and we have watched so many countries surpass us. All this during the biggest explosion in women's sport ever seen.
Maybe however we are about to turn that corner and get back to where we belong.
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Peter
09-13-2001 2:07 pm
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to Sandeep
Glad to see you agree. Maybe that with the new foreign US and Canada national coaches the way up has been found.
I wish both countries the best of luck in France.
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aust.
09-13-2001 6:51 pm
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Peter & Sandeep
you can agree all you want - neither of these coaches have the money or development resources financially from their associations to get the job done - I also wish them luck, but you can only be as good as your resources allow you to be
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Concerned
09-17-2001 11:24 am
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Janet Ellis & Ann Van Dyck
Are they not able to get flights?
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Alberta
09-17-2001 1:23 pm
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Gabbar and Andrew Griffiths (comparable)
Hey Sandeep,
Can you provide your thoughts on Gabber and why he is not on the National Mens Team. This guy is amazing and truly dominant. He can put some Mens player to shame. This guy is extra-ordinary. He reminds me of Andrew Griffths who used to walk all over Alberta in the early 90's. Oh another point
Hey Andrew, Why did you retire from Hockey?? You were truly an inspiration to watch... Any thoughts of coming back. I used to defend... well sort of defend against you and the biggest thrill was watching you burn us and tactically placing the ball wherever you wanted.
An Alberta Fan.
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BC Fan
09-17-2001 4:45 pm
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Huh??Gubbar ??? Wrong Forum Pal
Hey!!!....
Does Gubbar play for the Women's National Team???? If not... why are talking about in this forum? Can you not Read???
Have Andrew dedicate another article
just for him. Was he in Vancouver in the Jr/Sr camp last weekend... if not then he is a red herring. If he was,
then have Gene or someone at the Camp
write an article about him. Let's have
Rahvi do one of his great exclusives on him.
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Alberta Fan
09-18-2001 1:58 pm
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Gubbar
Hey Bud,
I can read but can you write, as per above"Why are talking about in this forum" My friend learn to write the language before cutting down people. Have you not heard of Gubbar?? Why did he burn you at the Nationals. No need to feel jealous my friend. We just want the best players to play instead of politics.
English 101
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Gubbar Fan
09-18-2001 5:53 pm
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You make me laugh Bc fan. Quit the politics and have the best players play. Gubbar can take ravhi to school anyday. But no disprect to ravhi, because he is a great player and is getting better.
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a
09-18-2001 7:32 pm
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Gubbar doesn't have his citizenchip yet. As soon as he does, then you can go ahead and say it's politics holding him back.
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BC Fan
09-18-2001 8:24 pm
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READ.... the Article!
What does Gubbar have to do with this Article? Is he connected to the Women's National Team? Yes, I have seen him and when he makes the Team then I'll
be impressed. Until then, find some other place to write about him. The praise he has had in other forums ie... CalCup and Sr Nat. didn't get him on the Team?
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Sandeep
09-19-2001 12:29 am
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Gubbar New Thread
We need a new thread to talk about Gubbar.
He is fast, he is strong and I have seen him score some spectacular goals He should get a chance, I don't beleive he has canadian citizenship yet so until then its a moot point...pretty sure he will soon though. Gene will give him a chance.
Back to the Women's team...they lost 1-0 to Russia today, hopefully they will rebound for their next match.
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Alberta FAn
09-19-2001 12:58 pm
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GAbber
hey ravi,
Can you do an article on Gabber. He is absolutley lethal...
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Sandeep
09-20-2001 6:10 am
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Canada4 Mal 1
good to see the women win against Malaysia.
it has been a long time since they scored 4 goals in a test match.
Granted Malaysia is no powerhouse but the road to recovery starts here.
Next game V Belguim
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Andrew
09-24-2001 9:52 pm
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Re: Alberta, Gubbar, etc
I have just read this comment string for the first time - Alberta, thanks, I'm flattered by your comments. I have not retired - I have had two knee surgeries which have kept me on crutches for 4 months - just got the doc's OK to walk today. I am planning to return and play, if there is still a spot for me.
Re: Gubbar - I'm looking forward to seeing this guy play - seems there is a lot of talk about him. Sandeep has started a new discussion thread about him in the Clubhouse - please add comments!
Cheers,
Griff
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Jamo
09-25-2001 7:34 pm
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Butch
As a personal friend of Butch and having been coached by him during the early 90's I can say that Canada have made a positive move by hiring him. Butch will focus on establishing a player base within the hockey fraternity which is essential to maintain a world cup position. It remains to be seen how committed the administration are to maintaining the programme into the future. Good luck to all involved. How's it going Butch?
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Alberta FAn
09-27-2001 1:30 pm
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Andrew
Hey Andrew:
What knee surgery did you have????
Take care of yourself and look after your health first. Because if you dont have your health then you dont have anything??
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Andrew
09-27-2001 2:55 pm
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re: Alberta Fan
I had two surgeries - an articular cartilege transplant and an osteotomy - just finished 4 months on crutches - don't worry, I'm looking after my health! Thanks for the concern.
Andrew
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Alberta Player
10-10-2001 2:10 pm
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Gubber Singh
Give the guy a chance as soon as he gets his citizinship. The guy was scoring at will at the Nationals this year. He is unstoppable. I think he should take over Kenny's position. Kenny is good but doesnt have the leg strength to play at an international level. Canadas weaknesses seems to be scoring. Lets inject some new blood at the forward line and give gubber a chance to prove himself. The guy is lethal and a force to be reckoned with. Reminds me of Andrew Griffiths with the great touch around the net. Kenny you have had your hay day scoring the goal in winnipeg. Time to move on and get an education. Good luck in your future endevours.
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indika bandara
05-14-2002 8:44 am
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find a job canada for foreiners (health)
ake care olders
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