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Tokyo Canadians
All rights reserved Copyright 2004
News Archives
Local Boys Take the President Fishing
August 2005
The call came at 9am, “We are at the golf course at Ukelelee,” was the comment made by Tokyo Canadian president Jason Young. Confused on his exact location, Knox confirmed their whereabouts and they would be arriving in 20 minutes. After a quick tour of master fisherman Bob’s new 3500 sq. foot house, nestled among the first growth rain forest of Vancouver Island, we made our way to the boat moored at Weigh West in Tofino.
Enroute to the marina, Cam and Jason, looking like the locals on Welfare Wednesday, waited patiently for the liquor store to open. “I know they can see us out here!” commented Cam as he wanted to get to the boat and out on the water.
As they were buying the necessities, Mike Bebault and I gathered up the survival suits, packed the cooler with ice and waited for Bob to give us the thumbs up to go. “We will have the gear in the water in about an hour boys!” Bob instructed. “We are going about nine (nautical) miles offshore, to a place called C & B.” Apparently C & B is named after the ledges of rock on the ocean floor that represent the male genitalia.
Once out to the shaft of the C, we dropped our lines and right away there was a double header with Jay getting first dibs on the rod. “Keep the tip up…if it wants to go…let it go!” Bob instructed. “Its like sex…its all about feel!”, one of Bob’s favorite ways to describe reeling in a salmon. Like a seasoned veteran, Jay brought the fish to the boat only to have to let it go because it was a wild Coho. A nice fish too, maybe 12lbs but according to Canadian Fisheries laws, only hatchery Coho can be caught in the open waters off of Vancouver Island.
The day was a little foggy and an 8 foot swell kept Cam a little worried about nausea. Mike, a local to the area and an avid surfer, was stoked on the swell, well….until his birthday buzz wore off and he ended up feeding the fish with his own chum. But the sun did come out and the fish were biting, especially after Bob changed up the gear to get more ‘Mojo’ onboard.
Bob’s technique worked and soon Cam landed a 22 lb Spring salmon. 
The
rule on the boat was everyone was given a turn in rotation so if you lost
the battle with your fish, or if you catch a wild Coho, then that was your
turn. Everyone on board was able a few turns on the rod and the overall catch
was seven salmon (6 Spring averaged 20 lbs and 1 14 lb Coho) the biggest was
33 lbs brought in by Bob.
We fished for about 5 hours long and we headed back to port at about 5 o’clock.
The
fish were weighed and cleaned, the boat scrubbed and then it was off to the
Long Beach Golf Course for 9 holes on a very difficult track, especially when
your legs are still rocking to the rhythm of the ocean swell.
Anyone interested in fishing with Bob please feel free to contact him at
bobbykimoto@hotmail.com or
call Weigh West in Tofino (250) 725-3277.
2005
Red and White Classic 
January 2005 - Yoyogi National Arena
Stars lined up for Hiratsuka
The annual Red and White Classic was held Thursday night at Yoyogi’s National Arena, seeing the White team skate to victory. As always, with some controversy. With no time on the game clock and the end boards open for the Zamboni, Mike LaRose went behind netminder Lyle Warbinek and stuffed the puck into the net with a nifty wrap around. “It looked like the game was over and the goalie made no attempt to stop the puck,” a spectator commented after the game. “Everyone thought the game had ended!”
The game itself was an offensive battle, with a combined goal count of 27. If Denton “the Milkman” Venable was in the stands (he showed up with 20 minutes left in the 3rd frame), he would have definitely been shouting obscenities to the goalies for their defensive mental breakdowns. Waechter for his five-hole as big as Texas, and Warbinek for his frantic flopping style.
The game opened up with James Heather firing a slapshot through Waechter, allowing Red the first goal. It is not clear as to how Joji Hiratsuka got ‘up’ for the game, but he was definitely the player to keep an eye on, as he had "control" he has not seen since his thirties. Hiratsuka’s crafty moves enabled him to almost get the double hat-trick, leaving him a career high of 5 goals and 3 assists during a TCHC outing.
3 STARS (picked by Stutercane Productions):
Joji Hiratsuka 5 goals and 3 assists
Mike LaRose 3 goals and 3 assists
J.O. Caron 2 goals and 2 assists
Un-official Box Score:
Hiratsuka (R) 5 goals 3 assists
Larose (W) 3 goals 3 assists
Kobayashi (R) 2 goals 3 assists
Lindsay (W) 2 goals 3 assists
Knox (R) 1 goal 4 assists
Kimoto (R) 2 goals 2 assists
Meehan (W) 2 goals 2 assists
May (W) 2 goals 2 assists
Caron (W) 2 goals 2 assists
Heather (R) 1 goal 2 assists
Morris (R) 2 goals 2 assists
Takagi (W) 1 goal 2 assists
Chawanya (W) 1 goal 2 assists
Young (W) 1 goal 2 assists
Injury and attendance update:
Mike Slaton – inflamed throat (day-to-day)
Scott McCaskie – undisclosed lower body injury (day-to-day)
Arron Dobrescu – lost freedom (till death do they part)
Dave Lotocki – unavailable
Mike Rublack – Flu (day-to-day)
Ogi – MIA
Brent Carlson – work
Dave Hilson - he always says he will be there – so no one really knows
for sure
Mark Didcott – knee, shoulder, big toe, elbow, skin rash
May 8, 2004 – Propaganda, Tokyo
Founding member and
speedy Tokyo Canadian, Eddie Takaya bids farewell and moves back east
It has been almost 9 years since Hidekazu "Eddie" Takaya first donned his Tokyo Canadians Jersey for the Inaugural Tournament in Ikaho.
A
founding member of the team, Eddie has been a force on and off the ice for
all of those 9 years. His play exemplifies the postition "Power Forward"
with a booming shot, a touch around the net, streaking speed, matched with
a mean streak that kept the opposition honest. Off the ice in his various
executive roles, he helped build the team to what it is today. As a teammate
he was always quick to laugh, an easy going all around fun guy.
Unfortunately for the team, good things come to an end and after 9 years with the club, Eddie, his wife Yuko and daughter Erin are heading back to Canada to live in Cambridge, Ontario.
Best of luck to Eddie, our teammate and our friend. You'll be back!
Canadians
Contain Seamen in Rubber
January 24, 2004 - Tokyo Japan
With
Canada winning the gold against the U.S. at the Olympics in Salt Lake City,
and the U.S. recently defeating Canada at the World Juniors in Helsinki, many
believed the contest between the Tokyo Canadians and the U.S. Navy team from
Atsugi to be the decisive rubber match between the two nations.
The big game attracted the Tokyo Canadians’ largest crowd of the year, with the VIP section of the Yoyogi National Stadium stands packed with enthusiastic fans.
Due to heavy traffic in the Tokyo area, the U.S. goaltender missed the pre-game warm-up. Instead, Tokyo Canadian goalie Todd Bengert started in the net for the Yokohama U.S. Navy Seahawks, while Hiroki Narushima was in net for the Canadians. Bengert felt first hand what it was like to be shelled, facing 16 shots in the opening minutes, before a centering pass out of the corner from Dave Lindsay caromed off his goalie stick and between his legs to open up the scoring. During the action, a rare on-the-fly goalie substitution saw Bengert go back to his Canadians’ bench to allow the American netminder to begin his tour of duty. Little did he know, he would soon feel like he was on Iraqi soil, facing a barrage of incoming.
Fifteen minutes into the game, New York Islander Legend and NHL Hall of Famer, Mike Bossy, left his coaching duties behind the U.S. squad’s bench and came over to the Canadian bench saying "I'm going over to visit my homies!" When Bulldog, a.k.a. 'Loco', mentioned he was from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Mike Bossy told a story about Clark Gilles (who also hailed from Moose Jaw). "When I first met Clarky, I asked him where the hell is Moose Jaw? Then Clarky answers back, "about 3 feet from the Moose's ass!" "
Inspired by Bossy's stories, Stu Kimoto went on to score a
double hat trick. Dave Lindsay also netted his second for the night, and had
6 assists. Arron 'Bulldog' Dobrescu had 9 assists (who was counting?) to gain
the game’s 1st star selection. Mark Didcott, suffering with a sore back,
and an enflamed ankle, kept up his scoring prowess with 4 goals and 3 assists,
with linemates Cam Knox and Scott McCaskie each netting a pair.
Meanwhile, linemates Dennis Waechter and 'Koby' Kobayashi helped Bobby 'On
the Spot' Chung keep his goal-a-game streak alive at 17. Plus D-men James
Heather and Dave Low Talkin' Lotocki both fired scuds past the American keeper.
Even with big saves being made at both ends of the ice, the final tally came
in at 19-8. Most of the action remained in the American defensive zone, but
the freewheeling Americans made several 3-on-1 charges down that ice. Nonetheless,
the steady defense of Rob Smaal, Brent 'Killer' Carlson, Dave Lotocki, and
Jason 'The Vulture' Young, stymied the Seahawks and allowed the Canadians
to defend their dominance in Canada’s national sport.
The outstanding player for the Navy team was their speedy centerman, Drew, who scored a hat trick in his losing cause. After the game, the Canadians met up along Omatesando Dori (Tokyo’s Champs d’Elysees) for much needed liquid refreshments, the consumption of several hundred chicken wings, and to mingle with their fans.
3 Stars picked by Stutercane Productions:
1st star: The Bulldog
2nd star: Mark Didcott
3rd star: Mike Bossy
Warbinek
stymies Chung to stop streak in Game 4
February 16, 2004 - Yoyogi
The finale in the classic Red and White match up at Yoyogi's National Stadium was not the great game it was hyped up to be. With a final score of 13 - 6 in favor of the boys in Red, hot tempers seemed to boil over, in what should have been a friendly match up of buddies lacing them up for bragging rights. In one particular case, Brent “Killer” Carlson whipped his stick at Bobby Chung, who appeared to be going in for a break away. In Carlson’s defense, he was simply trying to stop play as a result of James Heather's slow return to his feet, following a hard check by Austrian star, Dieter. A separate incident saw Stu Kimoto retaliate a high sticking crosscheck to the head from friend Rob Smaal, who blankly stated "Don't stand in front of the net!". All knowing how to play the game, and understanding the standard rule of thumb, "What goes on the ice, stays on the ice", both teams exchanged pleasantries, and beers, at the local tavern in Harajuku after the game ended.
Meanwhile, back on the ice, Bobby Chung had his 16 game goal-a-game streak snapped by the floundering saves of Lyle Warbinek. Warbinek stepped up (actually layed down and flapped his legs and arms around) in the dying minutes of the game, to rob Chung’s most aggressive scoring chances. Although Warbinek stopped Chung, he was not up to the task when Jason Young swooped in on him for a hat-trick, as well as Dave Lindsay who added a hat-trick of his own. A late draft selection, Shane Carlson, called up from the Vancouver farm team, notch his own three goals in the losing cause for White team. Sean Hopkins, Stu Kimoto, and Arron Dobrescu all added 2 each for the Red team. Joji Hiratsuka tallied a goal for Red, and Ned 'Koto' Negative and Cam Knox slid goals past Red's goalkeeper Hiroki Narushima.
Games 3 stars selected by R.L. Stutercane Productions:
1st star: Jason Young - 3 goals, 4 assists
2nd star: Dave Lindsay - 3 goals, 3 assists
3rd star: Hiroki Narushima - 27 saves
After four games of Red and White match ups: Red 3 - White 1.
White-out in Game 3
February 4, 2004 - Yoyogi
In a game of controversy, Rob Smaal opened up the scoring in what some thought was an offside. But since there was no whistle, play continued and Smaaly tallied the first goal for Team White. Deiter, who came to the White team in waivers, made a huge impact scoring three times on goalie Dennis Waechter. High flying McCaskie was on top of his game finding the net five times and Chawanya also added a pair for the winning team. Mark "Mr. Band-aid" Didcott was held scoreless in this matchup.
Red Team's veteran winger Joji Hiratsuka scored his 53rd career hat trick in a losing cause. Dave Lindsay, Sean Hopkins and Satoshi Kobayashi all scored twice on rookie goaltender Straka. Final score: White 10 Red 9.
Rotoworld update:
Red Team:
Dennis Waechter: Waechter has reported to the team doctor siting soreness in his groin and knees. You can take what ever you want out of that. De-activate him for the coming weekend.
Arron Dobrescu: After tallying 9 assists in his last game, expect the Bulldog to come out flying in game 4. "We're not servin' it!"
Stu Kimoto: Toronto Star reports Kimoto will be in the lineup for Saturday's matchup against the White Team. Activate him now!
Hiroki Narushima: The Red team has confirmed he will be starting in net.
Joji Hiratsuka: After scoring his 53rd career hat trick, look for more great things from the Jif!!
Dave Lindsay: Team doctor reports Lindsay has been feeling sick since his trip up north. Stay tuned for more news regarding the hard working right winger.
White Team:
Cam Knox: Suffering from the flu this past week but has confirmed his status for the weekend. If you don't have him in your fantasy pool...get him!
Mark Didcott: Time will tell if the Didler will be suited up for action for Saturday. His knee, back, elbow or shoulder could keep the 40+ year old from making a difference in the game. Stay tuned for another updated injury report.
Shane Carlson: Called up from the Powell River farm team to replace Low Talkin' Lotocki. He is a big player with good moves and soft hands.
Scott McCaskie: #1 in your hearts...enough said.
Lyle Warbinek: Lyle plans to bring his A game in the final match.
Jason Young: After a relaxing week, feeling healthy, Young will be ready to play Saturday.
Red
continues dominance over White
January 17, 2004
- Yoyogi
Rob "Coach Piquono" Smaal was busy before the game trying to match
up lines that finally saw Jason Young being traded to the white team in hopes
of some solid defense and his vulture like ability to make his way into the
offensive zone, and Bobby "On the Spot" Chung to fill in for some
scoring touch around the net for the boys in Red.
After much criticism from Game 1, Team White's Mark “Didler” Didcott, Cam Knox, and Scott McCaskie knew they had to perform to give their squad a chance at tying up the series. And they did just that, combining for an astonishing 9 goals – with 5 for Didler, and 2 a piece for the Hammer and #127 in your hearts, Mr. Chickenman McCaskie.
Earlier in the game, down by 2 goals, it was Chunger who pounced on a loose puck to keep his points per game streak alive at 16. Then it was Chunger's line mate Waechter who scored his first of 3 on a deflection from James Heather's slapshot to tie up the game 2-2. Team White's J-connection of Ogi and Chawanya-san also combined for a goal apiece.
The end-to-end action excited the fans and they also got into the hockey spirit by performing the wave in the crowded VIP section. With the camera focused on the cheering ladies, Dober one-timed a laser beam over the shoulder of keeper Warbinek, to net his first of 2. Team Red also had a pair of goals by Lindsay, Kimoto, and Hiratsuka. Jifi's heads up coaching late in the 3rd period, decided to settle back on D, to help the exhausted pointmen. More brilliant coaching came from “Killer” Carlson, who reminded everyone on the bench that “the boards are our friends”. This all proved superb as the mighty Red team slowed the steam train of Didler, Hammer, and McCaskie.
In the dying minutes, Dober showed why the cameras were focused on him all night, making nifty moves in the corner, and feeding a wide open Kimoto, who in typical Grim Reaper fashion, scored the game winner to give Red a 2 game lead in the best of four series. Team White has a lot of work to do and can only tie up the series. Warbinek, in a losing cause stopped 27 shots, including 3 breakaways, and Narushima inked the victory stopping 22 shots.
In an off ice interview, Satoshi Kobayashi stated, " It is great to play with the Canadian boys...I love it!"
3 stars picked by Stootercane Inc.
1. Mark Didcott - 5 goals 0 assists
2. Dennis Waechter - 3 goals 1 assist
3. Scott McCaskie - 2 goals and 4 assists
Red takes all important Game
1 !!!
January 10, 2004 - Yoyogi
The Red and White Classic at Yoyogi on Jan.10th ended in a lop-sided 11-5 victory for the boys in Red. The game opened up in front of a stellar crowd of 6 people, with Ogi beating Warbinek early in the 1st period. The White team had many scoring chances, but Dennis 'just got lucky' Waechter was up the task as he kept Knox and Didcott off the score sheet. With the score 8-3 for the Red team, the goalies switched ends for the 2nd half.
Takaya was able to slide one past a misplay by Waechter to tie the game 1-1 early in the 1st. Team Red's second goal was a rebound pounced on by Kimoto to go up 2-1. Hopkins and Lindsay both added a pair, a Kimoto completed the hat trick late in the game. Kobayashi showed off some nifty moves has he dangled his way into a goal. Hiratsuka, not to left out of the scoring action, added his own from a great pass from Ogi. James 'coast to coast' Heather, back from his tour of the DMZ, and a stint in the Korean organization 'The Geckos', scored on a nice feed from Hopkins.
The man who is number 10 in your program, but number 1 in your heart, Scott McCaskie also rippled the netting twice is a losing cause, and both his wingers, Chung and Hill both added a goal each.
Game 2 is slated for January 17th, at Yoyogi, 8:30 game time. The second of the four game series, will have a different look as the newly energized Jason "I'm training for a triathlon" Young returns back from Hawaii. The Bulldog will also be in fine form, ready for his Global TV debut. You can also count on “Low Talkin' “ Lotocki to help out in the defensive zone for the White team.
Canadians make
it official "We got him"
December 23, 2003
The Tokyo Canadian hockey club made it official over the weekend by announcing the discovery of Kevin Meehan, the former Tokyo Canadian standout that has not been seen on metro area ice in nearly a year.
News of the discovery caused celebrations from Kansai to Canada as finding the elusive ‘Lean Meehan Machine’ was a top priority for the Tokyo club and marks a possible turning point in the team’s success.
Meehan was found by Tokyo Canadian members in the wee hours of Saturday, December 13th slumped over in the fetal position in front of an undisclosed night spot on the outskirts of Tokyo’s Roppongi District. Looking somewhat disheveled, unshaven and seriously disoriented, the Montreal native at first refused to cooperate under light questioning. However, after several hours of romen-induced interrogation, began rambling endlessly about Boeing airplanes, Dublin pubs, the Quebec International Pee Wee Ice Hockey Tournament and the bathroom habits of Guy Carbonneau.
Walking with an obvious limp and said to be carrying a large
amount of cash, Meehan was diagnosed with a ‘bout of the gout’
following a light checkup. The injury could force him out of the lineup for
the time being but team officials insist he will be ready in time for the
team’s Red & White Series at Yoyogi Arena in January.Several
witnesses reported seeing Meehan earlier in the evening with a wild haired,
tall Caucasian strongly resembling the profile of former Tokyo Canadian Dave
Hilson. The Owen Sound, Ontario native and one-time strong man for the
Canadians hasn’t been seen on blades since 2001. A half-ass search of
the area turned
up nothing. Hilson remains at large.
The Canadians added some new firepower to their lineup for the 2003-04 season with the additions of Ken ‘One Chug’ Takagi, Scott ‘Jay’ Lackey, Kazunori (No nickname at press time) Yamamoto, and Aaron ‘Bulldog’ Dobrescu.
Both Lackey and Dobrescu made their Canadian debuts in the unforgettable Kimchee Cup in Seoul, Korea in July of 2003. Lackey recorded some key goals and assists on the wing and blue line while ‘The Bulldog’ registered some serious laughs both on and off the ice. Dobrescu, who hails from - if I can read the card here - Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, brings a level of comedy to the team not seen since the departure of Canadian d-man Gavin ‘Second Degree’ Burns.
In what will go down as one of the saddest days in team history, Tokyo Canadians legendary defenseman Gavin Burns bid farewell to his friends and eammates at a private going-away dinner in late October.
The 28-year old native of Cambridge, Ontario patrolled the Canadians blueline for five seasons with stops in Hong Kong, Bangkok and the legendary run to Chiang Mai in 2001. He also played in the Kanagawa League with the Yokohama-based All Nippon Airways team (or A.N. eh?).
While often mistaken for a Newfie, the linguistically challenged Burns amazingly secured five years of employment teaching English as a Second Language, leaving behind a trail of dazed and confused students in his wake.
"His classes were a thing of beauty," said student Daizo Takahashi, "especially when he brought donuts and two-fours to class, eh? Solid!"
While he usually left his teammates in stitches off the ice, he always provided solid defensive work on the ice leaving the remaining Canadians worried about the void.
"Here we lose a young and versatile defenseman in Burnsie," said alternate captain Joji Hiratsuka, "and replace him with.......Moody."
At the going-away dinner in Tokyo's Roppongi district, a dry-eyed Burns prepared a speech but was unable to read it due to the abundance of free beer. It read;
"Just wanted to say thanks for four years with the TCHC. I had a great time at the parties and tournaments (not necessarily in that order), and will miss the friendly scrimmages in Tokyo. However, I won't miss lugging my hockey bag home on the Yamanote line during rush hour. Made a few friends there, I tell ya!
Good luck in Chiang Mai this year...at the tournament and on that crazy firecracker bridge. I can honestly say I've been to war after making it across in one piece!
If you are ever in the Toronto area, Cambridge is just up the road, so drop in for a couple coldies, eh.
Take it easy."
When asked about future plans, Burns said he and his young bride will return to Cambridge and "live with the oldies, eh" until a more permanent residence can be established.
August
9, 2002
Canadians
Cream Seamen
by
Denton Venable, l'officier de communication
Crewmen from the HMCS Ottawa took a much deserved break from the War on Terror last weekend by spending a few days of R&R at Yokosuka Naval Base, taking in the sites of Japan, and topping it off with a friendly scrimmage against the Tokyo Canadians. Perhaps they wish they had kept on sailing past Japan.
The Tokyo Canadians, taking a break from their hectic, summer vacations, completely crushed the naval boys 9-0 at the infamous Hamabowl in beautiful Yokohama, Japan. But in all fairness to the seamen, most agreed this was the best outing by the Tokyo squad all season.
Behind solid defensive play from D-men Dave Lotocki, Jason "MVP" Young, Joji Hiratsuka, and Gavin Burns, goalie Hiroki Narushima earned his first shutout since the three he picked up at the 2000 Bangkok games.
Hiratsuka, Lotocki, Scott McCaskie, Sean Hopkins, Dave Lindsay, Cam Knox, Bruce Hill, and even Gavin "Second Degree" Burns found the back of the net for Tokyo.
On a positive note for Ottawa, goaltender Chris Koblun earned everyone's respect with some spectacular saves keeping the game from getting even worse than the score indicated. The scorekeeper simply stopped counting but the shot tally was believed to be around 70.
The loss for Ottawa comes after a recent 11-1 spanking at the hands of the Dubai Mighty Camels.
For more information on the HMCS Ottawa, please check out their webpage at HMCS Ottawa
Cox's claim to fame is having played the 1984-85 season with the Moose Jaw Warriors skating along side hockey greats Mike Keane, Theo Fluery, Kelly Buchberger and, last, but not least, Bob "How's it goin, eh?" MacKenzie. He also had the privilege of playing under controversial coach Graham James.
The Tokyo Canadians, only six weeks shy of the Kuala Lumpur Tournament, made it a perfect 10 wins in a row with a 6-2 victory over cross-town rival Tokyo Monsters at Jingu Arena on Friday night. Despite skating without Joji Hiratsuka, Jason Young and Dave Lindsay, all participating in the Dubai Games, and the recently relocated John Richmond, the Canadians were able to manhandle the hard-hitting Monsters for the fourth time this season.
After a slow start, rookie sensation Bobby Chung got things rolling with a one-timer off a Dale Stadnichuk pass. Stadnichuk, the 5"5" Curt Giles look alike - complete with green trousers - was a pleasant surprise appearing in his first game in over a year.
Satoshi Kobayashi quickly added a pair of nice goals followed by singles from Cam Knox, Gary Cox, and James Heather.
Rob "it ain't that" Smaal even got in on the action by deflecting an opponents pass past his own keeper Lance Leeder to give the Monsters their second goal of the night.
The grueling two games a month grind is beginning to take it's toll on the ageing Canadians' roster as the IR continues to grow.
Solid, two-way center Eddie Takaya remains sidelined as he recovers from knee surgery. He's expected back on the ice in May.
Less than solid, one-way winger Denton Venable is listed as day-to-day with sore ribs following an extremely uncalled for hit by Monsters' forward Dennis Waechter.
Winger Kevin Meehan continues to nurse an ever-expanding gut and is expected to miss more ice time. Team doctors insist he'll play again once the swelling goes down. He's listed as month-to-month.
And finally, Mike "Rosey" LaRose remains on his one-year maternity leave. No word as to when his wife will give him the go ahead to return to his customary right wing or his appointed position of Team President.
It was business as usual for the Tokyo Canadians as they continued their amazing dominance of Tokyo based teams with a pair of victories over the Mitsubishi Express. Despite great efforts from the speedy corporate club, Mitsubishi couldn't break the Canucks winning streak which stretches back to almost four months. The Canadians have not lost a game since dropping a 5-2 decision to Team USA in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The January 18th contest at Yoyogi Arena featured stellar goaltending from veteran Lyle Warbinek who kept Mitsubishi at bay until the boys could finally put the game away with an 11-2 win. Dave "Cool Pad" Lindsay led the way with a four goal night. Stu Kimoto, Bobby Chung, Cam Knox, Scott McCaskie, Jason "MVP" Young and Satoshi Kobayashi rounded out the scoring.
The second game of the home-and-home series took place at the less spacious Higashi-Fushimi Arena. Once again, Warbinek stood on his shiny head limiting Mitsubishi to only a handful of goals as Tokyo cruised 10-3. Stu "the Reaper" Kimoto matched his opponents efforts with a hat trick. He was followed up by goals from Young, Lindsay, McCaskie and Brent Carlson. The goal of the night - and what could be his last as a Canadian - was a nifty backhand from the legend John Richmond.
Several Tokyo Canadians will be adding some stamps to their passports when they compete in various tournaments abroad this spring.
Lyle Warbinek is expected to join former Canadian teammate Chris Parsons at the 10th Annual Hockey North America games in Holland next month. This is the third straight trip to Europe for Warbinek.
Later in the month, Joji Hiratsuka, Dave Lindsay and Jason Young will join Team Budweiser for the Dubai Tournament in the United Arab Emirates. The team is made of players from around the Middle East.
The Tokyo Canadians made a few adjustments with the roster recently by adding forwards Cam Knox and Satoshi Kobayashi. Both players play regularly for the Tokyo Thunderbirds, and bring lots of experience and speed to the club.
Cam Knox brings perhaps the best resume to the team having toiled with the Dayton Bombers (ECHL) and the Central Texas Stampede (WPHL) before finally realizing his lifetime dream of becoming an English Teacher in Japan. He's now moved to a cushy banking job courtesy his Canuck teammates.
And finally, Tuesday, March 19th has been chosen as a rare promotional night for the club when they pay tribute to the forty-something-year-old legend of Japanese hockey, John Richmond, by playing the Tokyo Vanguards at Takadanobaba's apply named "Senior" Citizens Center at 9:45pm. This will be the last game for the team's captain as he returns to Canada next month after 12 years in Japan. The first twenty....ah, never mind...ANYONE who shows up to the game can have their picture taken with the fiery number 13 so be sure and bring your camera.
The Tokyo Canadians extended their tremendous winning streak to five games on Thursday night by defeating the Pirates of Takadanobaba at Yoyogi Arena. The exact score was not known but it was believed to be somewhere around 15-8.
All Tokyo Canadians figured onto the scorers sheet in one way or another by the end of the evening. Dave Lindsay lead the way with a hat trick while Joji Hiratsuka, Bobby Chung, and Cam Knox each added pairs.
The Canadians will try and keep their winning ways going this Friday night when they play Mitsubishi at Yoyogi Arena.
The Tokyo Canadians started out the new year in style on Sunday night with an 8-3 thrashing of the Tokyo Monsters inside the cozy confines of Yoyogi National Stadium in Harajuku. This was the first ever game for the Canadians at Yoyogi Arena, home of the 1964 Olympics and several NHL games in 1997 and 1998. Unfortunately, the building was about as quiet as an Ogiso press conference as 99% of the 10,000 seat arena sat empty.
The "Silent But Deadly" Koichi "Ogi" Ogiso quickly got things rolling when he registered two straight goals off assists from Brent Carlson. Soon after, Carlson and Joji Hiratsuka signed their names to the scorer's sheet giving the Canadians a strong lead.
Satoshi Kobayashi netted another pair of pucks at the midway mark. Peterborough native Sean Hopkins scored a nice goal in his Canadians debut while Stu "The Reaper" Kimoto rounded out the scoring on a breakaway off a Dennis Waechter feed.
The only thing the Monsters could manage successfully was shutting down scoring threat of Dave Lindsay and ending his scoring streak at four games. Lindsay was unable to score all evening mainly because he was vacationing in Arizona. He is expected to be suited up on Thursday night when the Canadians play the Pirates at Yoyogi Arena. Face off is 10:15pm. Plenty of seats still remain.
Number two star went to the Monsters' Dennis Waechter. Not only did "The Diesel" score a nice one for the Blueshirts, he also mistakenly assisted on Kimoto's goal when his blind pass was intercepted and returned for a goal. "He also got hacked all night and didn't complain a bit," added assistant captain Joji Hiratsuka.
Number three star went to Kevin Meehan because, according to Hiratsuka, "for being able to lug all that weight around and still being able to skate."
Brent and wife Ikuyo (Kate) Carlson completed the team trifecta on December 21st when the couple had a son, Leon.
All conceptions were unassisted.
While many consider December 7th, 1941 as a day of infamy, so will December 7th, 2001 to many Japanese hockey fans.
The Tokyo Canadians Hockey Club and women across Kanto were stunned today at the sudden retirement of long-time Canadians' defenseman Neil Moody. The 44 year-old native of North Vancouver, British Columbia had been hoping to make a comeback since suffering a mysterious back injury which occurred sometime during the 2000 Chevron Cup Tournament in Bangkok.
"The way my back is, I can hardly walk let along skate", said Moody, having to fight back tears most likely brought on by an allergic reaction to Jason Young's "Armani" Cologne.
One of the few remaining members of the founding 1996 team, Moody had been sidelined on a number of occasions by a string of injuries over the past three seasons. In addition to an injured back, he had also suffered from bad ankles, a torn rotator cuff, a degenerative hip, a splintered stick, mildewed equipment, occasional feelings of inadequacy, a large rash, poor decision skills, as well as seriosis and tetur.
Moody's ability to stick handle through the most dangerous of situations, both on and off the ice, will be sorely missed by the team. Retirement, however, doesn't mean it will end of the founding member's association with the Canadians. "We'll most likely keep him on as an official team advisor", said John Richmond, "being that he seems to know something about everything."
"This is a real surprise to some of us", said a teammate who asked to remain anonymous, "especially those of us who didn't even realize he was still in Japan."
There was no mention of retiring his number.
After a victory against the Monsters last week, the Canadians were back in action against the same squad; this time both teams had a full compliment of players for the rematch.
Although the Canadians carried the play in the first period the score remained 0-0 at the end of twenty minutes. The unlikely icebreaker was perennial party boy, Rob "it ain't that" Smaal, who scored a pair (and allegedly did the same in Roppongi last week too). Once the dam broke and the floodgates opened the Canucks went on to score a 9-2 victory. Other goal scorers were Mike La Rose also with pair and singles came from Joji Hiratsuka and rookies Bobby Chung, Bruce Hill, Dave Lindsay and Stu Kimoto.
The Tokyo Canadians got back on the winning track on Thursday night with an 8-2 thrashing of the US Navy team from Atsugi Naval Base. The scrimmage marked the first game for the rag-tag military group from western Tokyo and the Canadians took full advantage to make up for their disastrous performance in Thailand.
The game at Jingu Ice Centre featured a number of new faces scoring for Tokyo. Justin Ault, playing in his penultimate game, started things off with a nice goal which gave the Canadians a 1-0 lead. Moments later, Bobby Chung scored the first of his two goals on the night. Before the evening was over, Etienne Menard, Bruce Hill, Satoshi Kobayashi, and possibly Eddie Takaya (details are sketchy) figured in the scoring.
Afterwards the generous Navy boys treated the Canucks to plenty of complimentary Budweiser Beer which the boys greatly appreciated, especially goaltender Lyle Warbinek whose feet had grown quite cold throughout the game.
As mentioned before, the November 15th game against Navy marked the last game for forward/defenseman/rover Justin Ault who will return to Vancouver to open a Japanese style restaurant. Better visit soon because if he keeps his restaurant as clean as his hockey bag, the public health department will undoubtedly close him down soon.
The Canadians have added wingers Bruce Hill and Bobby Chung to the roster.
The first game of the tournament for the Canadians was the long awaited match-up against the Seoul Gecko's Glaciers. This self-described "Drinking Team with a Hockey Problem" lulled the Canadians into a feeling of over-confidence as they watched the Glaciers skate around the extremely hot rink in what appeared to be heavy black, wool sweaters reminiscent of something the Bruins might have worn in an outdoor game in 1925.
The Glaciers struck in the first minute of play with a dandy wrap around past goalie Hiroki Narushima. Unfazed, the Canadians came back with a nice goal by a healthy Scott McCaskie. Jason Young set up the second Tokyo goal with a centering pass to Dave Lindsay who fired home a one-timer. McCaskie scored again moments later to give Tokyo a commanding 3-1 lead.
But that would be all for the Canadians. The heat in the building became simply too much in the second half as Tokyo's defensive play broke down allowing numerous scoring opportunities. Temperatures inside the rink seemed to hover around 100 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 40 degrees Canadian). With exhausted legs, Tokyo gave up three goals in the final ten minutes of play and lost the game 4-3.
"I thought I was gonna puke out there, eh?" said an exhausted Gavin Burns.
Post Game Entertainment
One tremendous highlight of this years tournament was the chance to experience the huge Chiang Mai's Yee Peng Loy Krathong Festival held every year on the banks of the Ping River. The festival features parades, musical entertainment, fireworks shows and the release of Krathongs which are decorative floral candle arrangements that are lighted and sent floating down the river to, as far as we could tell, show gratitude to the Buddha.
But most impressive was the fireworks show which consisted of several hundred kids throwing firecrackers, bottle rockets and blackcats at one another as well as passing motorists.
In an effort to boost team morale, Captain John Richmond marched his Canadian troops across the Nawarat Bridge despite a constant bombardment from all sides. In a scene straight out of "Apocalypse Now," the Canadians made it across the bridge and back again with only minor injuries and hangovers. Joji Hiratsuka had an ordinance explode in his hand, Denton Venable was run over by a motorcycle and Dave Lindsay broke out into a bad case of the giggles but the effort worked in building a sense of unity and confidence for day two of the tournament.
"I didn't think we were gonna make
it across that bridge, eh?" said a shell-shocked Gavin Burns.
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Bangkok Flying Farangs 3, Tokyo
Canadians 3
The second game for the Canadians featured their old rivals from Bangkok, the Flying Farangs. Kevin Hall and company brought a very good team to the tournament, a team that would eventually make it to the semi-finals before dropping to the unbeatable Team USA. With a few minor adjustments to the line-up and a new face in the net, the Canadians were looking to get back on the winning track.
The game was a back and forth affair featuring nice goaltending on both sides. Dave Lindsay really stuck out as the player of the game for Tokyo scoring two goals including one on a breakaway that was set up on a beautiful pass from Koichi Ogiso deep in his own zone. McCaskie scored his third goal of the tournament off a deflection from a Jason Young shot.
But Bangkok equaled every time including
two goals on tough circumstances leaving goaltender Troy MacPhee, possibly
the only man in Japan with a map of PEI tattooed on his chest, shaking his
head. One such goal deflected off of a Farangs chest and into the net while
another was a miscommunication with Hiratsuka leaving the puck rolling into
the net.
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Team USA 5, Team Japanada 2
The final game for the Canadians might go down as one of the most eventful in team history. Tokyo was a tremendous underdog going into the game against the powerful Americans featuring non-other than former Lake Placid Gold Medal Olympian Neal Broten. But the former NHLer, who didn't seem very "up" for the games, was not the only impressive player on the ice for the extremely talented squad. One dangerous player for the US was Lake Superior State product Mitch Lane who scored several goals in each game. USA, loaded with solid talent, crushed Taiwan and Kuala Lumpur in the preliminary rounds by lopsided scores.
Troy MacPhee was awesome in goal making some big saves and getting lots of attention from the capacity crowd which actually broke into the wave at one point and shouted "To-key-yo, To-key-yo" on several occasions.
USA scored first but Satoshi Chawanya was able to get the Canadians on the board in the first period. The Canadians played back-n-forth hockey against the Amerks but still allowed three straight goals including one head-scratcher by Broten.
Jason Young scored the goal of the tournament late in the game on a nice Bobby Orr style shot making it 4-2. The Americans would later score an empty-netter to win 5-2.
In the finals, Team USA defeated the
Seoul Gecko's Glaciers 7-0.
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Canuck pastime takes root in Japan
By HARVEY SAHKER Special to The Mirror
North York native Jason Young has found a little piece of home in the Land of the Rising Sun.
After moving to Tokyo in January, the 26-year-old financial planner is playing hockey for the Tokyo Canadians.
Not long after his arrival in the Japanese capital, he decided to play with a local Tier II club which ultimately led him to the Canadians.
"The hockey scene in Tokyo is pretty small, so once you play on one team you soon find out about the Canadians," Young said in a telephone interview.
The Canadians are a team made up of ex-patriot Canucks, based in Tokyo, who originally hail from B.C. to Quebec and points in between.
"A lot of Japanese teams like to play exhibition games against us. We're looked at as a select team, one of the higher-calibre teams in Tokyo."
The Canadians play a couple of games per month from October to April. They also participate in the annual Thai tournament.
"It's a competition to raise money for orphans (Human Development Center) in Bangkok," Young said.
Young says playing with his countrymen is much different than playing with his Japanese teammates in the Tier II league.
"A lot of the Canadians play for a Japanese team in a league as well," he said, adding he is the only foreigner on the team. "Communication is tough because my Japanese isn't great. There's a lot of broken Japanese from me and broken English from my team mates."
Amateur hockey in Japan has impressed Young.
"It's quite competitive, probably as good as a high calibre industrial league back home."
The game is played at other levels, too. "University hockey here isn't bad, and there's a six-team professional league."
Though hockey facilities in Tokyo are few and far between, Young said they compensate for this in quality.
"The arenas are quite good, probably the best in Asia. Teams take whatever ice time they can get. The rinks accommodate university teams, women's teams, men's teams, even some high school teams. We might play any time from 6 a.m. to midnight. It really varies."
Irregular face-off times notwithstanding, Young is happy as a member of the Tokyo Canadians.
"They're a great bunch of guys.
It's good times, on and off the ice."
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Canadians Victorious In Season Debut
By Denton Venable, l'officier de communication
The Tokyo Canadians started off the 2001-02 season with an impressive 6-2 victory over the Pirates from Takadanobaba at the Citizens Plaza Rink Saturday morning. Despite having only a handful of sober players available for the unusually early morning matchup, the Canadians were able to win rather easily over the outmatched Pirates squad.
Starting goaltender Hiroki Narushima played a solid game while backup Lyle Warbinek looked on patiently from the bench through fog covered glasses. Pirates' forwards had a difficult time throughout the game penetrating the Canadians defense led by veteran D-man Rob "it ain't that" Smaal.
While such notable players as Brent
"Killer" Carlson, Dennis Waechter, Scott "Loose Bowels"
McCaskie, and Graham Stuart were obvious no-shows, Canadians' old-timers and
founders John Richmond, Joji Hiratsuka and Mike "Rosey" LaRose were
there plugging away leading the team to the first 'W' of the season.
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Direct From The Desert
Saturday morning also marked the successful debut of newly acquired forward David Lindsay. The Toronto native and international journeyman has logged so much time in beer leagues across the world, he could practically open his own brewery.
Dave spent the past several seasons
toiling for the Bahrain Buds and various other teams in the Middle East s
UAE League, and also played collegiantly at Western Michigan University. The
Canadians are happy to have him join the club not only for his playmaking
skills but also for the simple fact he is one of only two players that excepted
invitations to join the team after a particularly high exodus of players over
the summer.
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Tango in Thailand
The time is almost here, sports fans, for the Canadians annual trip to Thailand. By requests from Bangkok city officials, public health authorities, and food stall vendors, tournament officials have elected to move the 2001 Chevron Cup to the northern city of Chiang Mai. The tournament will be held October 31st to November 3rd.
While the 2001 Tokyo squad might not be as "potent" as last years team, the Canadians hope the present group is formidable enough to make another run at the Cup.
Thailand veterans Satoshi Chawayna, Koichi Ogiso, John Richmond, Gavin Burns, Scott "Squirts" McCaskie, Jason Young, Denton Venable and, of course, Joji Hiratsuka will again make the trip to the Kingdom. Trilingual defenseman Rob Voisine is expected to join the team along with Canadian alum Dave Murphy from LA. Splitting time in the crease with Narushima will be Osaka Kansai Kanucks keeper Troy MacPhee.
As the tournament approaches, many questions remain about this years squad.
For starters, can 'Squirts' McCaskie spend more time this year on the ICE rather than on the can?
Will we see another clean and spirited match between Hiratsuka and his old buddy Greg Smyth from Hong Kong?
Could this be, as some have speculated, the last "tango in Thailand" for fiery legend John Richmond?
Will Gavin Burns once again pay for a queen size bed only to later opt to sleep in the tub?
And finally, should the Canadians just plan on putting four skaters on the ice rather than the customary five in the event they make it the finals? (Officials, are you listening??)
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July 10, 2001
Canadians Gain Two Monstrous Wins
By Denton Venable, l'officier de communication
The Tokyo Canadians closed out the 2000-01 season with a pair of victories
over local men's league team, the Tokyo Monsters, snapping a 5-game losing
streak. The June 29th battle at Jingu Ice Centre featured some of the hardest
hitting action the team has seen all season.
The Canadians, having recently lost goal-scoring sniper, and OK Cup MVP, Graeme Kishiuchi are very excited about the recent acquisition of local sharp-shooter Mamuro Konno, otherwise known as "Jimmy the Jet." The 5'7" speedster tore apart the Monsters' defense with a 3-goal performance while leading the Canadians to a 10-5 victory. The Jet, playing on the right side of the experimental "International Date Line," featuring Konno (Japan), Scott McCaskie (Canada) and Denton Venable (USA). With an additional goal by McCaskie, the "IDL" registered four goals and created havoc around the net - both nets - throughout the night. Despite the success, the line will most likely be disassembled when more players start showing up for games.
The game also featured a shocking 2-goal night from stalwart, stay-at-home defenseman Rob Smaal. The 39-year old veteran had to overcome blistering, third-degree sunburns and ferocious forecheckers all evening, but still managed to match his season goal average. Canadian enforcers Joji Hiratsuka and Stu "The Reaper" Kimoto each added a pair of goals to round out the scoring.
Goaltender Hiroki Narushima had a good evening as well turning aside some big shots including a penalty shot in the second period, which was the result of an unfortunate "spear-chucking" incident as described by Hiratsuka. Newly acquired defenseman Justin Ault , having played a solid game all night, let a Monster slip by him - resulting in a breakaway. Looking like a modern-day Jim Thorpe, Ault resorted to the old-time hockey technique of throwing his stick - javelin style - at the Monsters' forward closing in on the Canadians' net. The referee, sidelined with a broken toe, immediately called a penalty shot from the scorer's table. Narushima turned aside the attempt but, unfortunately, allowed a rather harmless looking shot by him just seconds after play resumed.
The "spear-chucking" incident only added to the list of cheap shots and glove pointing that occurred throughout the contest, perhaps a carryover from the earlier game on May 20th at Higashi-Fushimi Arena. In that game, the Canadians won by a lop-sided score, which featured a hat-trick by Dave Lotocki.
Line Changes
More changes are in store for next years Tokyo Canadians squad as more players
have decided to call it quits in Japan in the summer of 2001. The June 29th
game marked the last skate for Montreal native Dean Turner as he packs up
his sticks and hand-cuffs for a new, assignment as a Canadian Forces MP trainer
in Ontario. Wayne Daly is returning to Ottawa with his wife and daughter at
the end of July and defenseman JIm Engleson (and family) will transfer to
Santa Clara, CA to work at Palm Computing's head office. He will join former
Tokyo Canadian David Lotoki on a team of ex-pat Canucks living in the Bay
Area.
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June 9, 2001
The Tokyo Canadians have a New Website Location
by the Web Master
The Tokyo Canadians would like to announce that they have a new home for their web site. The address is here at www.tokyocanadians.com and it's being hosted by Infoasis. Please update your bookmarks/favourites and links to this site.
Click here if you are using AvantGo
software on your mobile/PDA device to automatically setup/subscribe-to a custom
channel for The Tokyo Canadians' mobile edition. If you don't have AvantGo's
reader software yet, go to AvantGo and install it on your Mac or PC.
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April 21, 2001
T-Birds Beat Canandians 4-1
by Denton Venable, Communications Guy
An unannounced crowd of three braved the beautiful weather Friday evening for Dan Moscoe Night at Takadanobaba Citizen Plaza. In true storybook fashion, Moscoe scored a natural hat-trick - one for each fan in attendance - including the game-winner, to lead the Tokyo Men's Division 1 League Champion Thunderbirds over the Tokyo Canadians 4-1.
The Thunderbirds - having gutted most of the Canadians roster with the likes of Joji Hiratsuka, Koichi Ogiso, James Heather, Stu Kimoto, Brent Carlson and Graham Stuart to name a few - were a true force to be reckoned with against the undermanned Canadians squad.
Play was fairly even in the first period with both squads getting ample opportunities. Lyle Warbinek was stellar in goal for the Canadians making several big saves including an acrobatic, glove save on a Carlson blast from 30 feet out. Carlson finally got one by Warbinek late in the first period with a wrister to the top shelf giving the T-Birds a 1-0 lead.
Scott McCaskie, having finally fully recovered from the Tony Romas rib sandwich in Bangkok, answered for the Canadians with a diving goal past the downed 'Birds goaltender Lance Leeder.
From there, it was all Moscoe. His first two goals were nice one-timers in front, one of which was set up beautifully by Carlson. No one remembers his third goal however it was probably a nice one as well.
Miraculously, the Canadians went the entire game without a single power-play in large part to the questionable officiating by "Canadian" John Richmond. Let's hope his wrist heals up soon.
The Canadians would like to add another
player to the list of recently departed. Chris Parsons - believed to be the
only player to actually have his parents attend a Canadians game overseas
- has left the team and is now working in London, England. Good Luck, Chris.
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April 16, 2001
Chatting with former NHLer Doug Bodger
by Brent Carlson
Today's sports pages read more like the crime page - drug and alcohol abuse, spousal abuse and divorce, car crashes, sexually assaults on babysitters, and even murder! Considering that the Dennis Rodmans, Deion Sanders' and Ryan Leafs of the sporting world get an unfair share of the press coverage I suppose it's no surprise that athletes seem to be in the news more for off-court/field/ice incidents than for what they're paid to do.
It's great to know, however, that there are still athletes who go full circle without getting screwed up. For example, the small town boy who makes it to the "big time," but doesn't get caught up in the racket, has a successful career and eventually goes home after retiring to a comfortable life with his family in his home town. The media, in my opinion, should focus more on these people and their stories.
click here to continue reading...Doug
Bodger
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March 25, 2001
Canadians moving on
by Denton Venable, Communications Guy
As is often the case for foreign expats in Asia, the time comes for teammates, co-workers, and friends to say good-bye, and this year was no exception with several Tokyo Canadians electing to move on to bigger and, hopefully, better things in other parts of the world.
For starters, long-time Tokyo Canadian, Dan Moscoe, has decided to return to Canada at the end of April. The Japan Times sports writer/editor played for the 1998 team that won the OK Cup in Bangkok and the Torontonian could always be counted on for his unbiased expertise on Leafs hockey and unabashed attacks on Les Habitants.
After only one year Greame Kishiuchi and girlfriend, Kelly Hughes, have also elected to return to Canada. The Canadians hate to see them go after such a short stay, but we're sure several teams across Asia are without a doubt happy to see the Bangkok Chevron Cup MVP and his little, green helmet leave the region.
Add "DJ" Dale McClare and
sharpshooter Mark Didcott to the list recently departed Canucks. Dale and
his wife accepted a teaching position in Brunei in January while Mark has
returned to Canada to seek his next forture.
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February 2, 2001
Mitsubishi Blasts Canadians
The Tokyo Canadians lost 6-2, but according to Communications Guy, Denton Venable, the team "played well." Although the shots on goal were fairly even the Mitsubishi squad had an incredible goalie. The Canadians couldn't buy a goal even with quite a few quality shots.
Lyle Warbinek started in goal and played really well. At the mid-point, the Canadians were down only 2-0. Hiroki Narushima came in and struggled at times, let in a quick goal, but picked up his play after that. Mitsubishi eventually took a 6-0 lead but the Canadians were able to add two late goals with a few minutes to go. "Mike LaRose and Dennis Waechter were our top two players," said Venable, "and David Lotocki was a great addition at the point."
Tokyo Goals:
1. Venable (Ogiso, Lotocki)
2. Heather (Moody, ?)
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November 21, 2000
Hockey Party Another Big Hit
The Tokyo Canadians Hockey Club's 4th annual dance party proved yet again to be a tremendous success with well over 400 people in attendance.
Held as always at the beautiful Canadian Embassy, party revellers were treated to the cool sounds of "DJ" Dale McClare and to the cool taste of Canadian beers and wines. Special guests for the fund-raiser were Shin Yahata of the Japan Hockey League's Kokudo Bunnies and the entire Kishiuchi family of Edmonton, Alberta.
Lucky winners of this year's prize raffle were: Ayato Yako who took home passes to Tokyo Disneyland courtesy of The Disney Stores; Fusae Kobayashi winner of a Palm Pilot courtesy of Palm Computing, Japan; and the grand prize winner, Junko Anabuki, winner of two round-trip tickets to Los Angeles courtesy of NimNak travel.
Thanks to the annual dance party, the Canadians are able to raise funds for various charities in Asia, one being Father Joe Maier's Human Development Center in Bangkok, Thailand. In early November at the Chevron Cup 2000 tournament in Bangkok, the Canadians donated 100,000 yen, topping donations made by the club in the past.
This marked the 4th year in a row the Tokyo
Canadians hockey team has hosted the party fresh from tournament action in
Thailand. This season saw possibly the best team ever sent to the Chevron
Cup tourney featuring lopsided victories over Taiwan, New Delhi, Singapore
and Riyadh. Unfortunately, things fell apart in the end with a 4-3 OT loss
to the Hong Kong Selects in the tournament championship. The Canadians didn't
go away completely empty-handed when center Graeme Kishiuchi beat out Roman
Lebedev of Dubai for tournament MVP. This was also the fourth straight year
for Tokyo and Hong Kong to meet in the final.
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