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Wednesday, October 4, 2006 · Page 17 Essex native scores with reality TV BY DANIEL SCHWAB Ward 1 Councillor Randy Voakes can remember heading to Essex Memorial Arena years ago to watch his nephew Craig strap on his skates and hit the ice for more than a few early-morning hockey games. Now, all Voakes has to do to see his nephew in action is urn on his TV. Twenty-year-old Craig oakes is a feature player on he Global series Making the ut - Last Man Standing, hich is airing this fall. Craig grew up in Essex and layed minor hockey here ntil 1994 when the family oved to St. Thomas, Ont. is father Ron is part of the oakes family of four sons nd a daughter- Gary, Randy, on, Glenn and Jen-A-Lee. The reality TV show, now in ts second season, pits 36 hocky players on two teams gainst each other. After trainng, scrimmages and subseuent cuts, only one player emains the 'last man standing.' Voakes said he remembers isiting Craig in St. Thomas his past summer when he eceived a call from the office of Mike Keenan, Stanley Cup winning coach and general manager of the show. Craig didn't send an "audition tape," pitching himself for the program. The five-foot-11-inch centre for the Windsor Spitfires, who scored 24 goals and 29 assists in the 20052006 season with the Kitchener Rangers, was recruited. "Craig was a little surprised," Voakes said. "But I don't think he stalled too much on making that decision. Any time you get a call from someone of that stature in the sport, what else are you going to do but accept it?" At the time, Craig was enjoying the OHL off-season and didn't expect to return to the ice for the Spitfires until September. He began training for the competition and shortly afterwards flew to Vernon, B.C., where he would face off in front of the cameras against amateur players from every province and territory. Once there, he recognized a handful from the OHL, and it was clear to Craig that the producers were looking to create a competitive environment for the group. "It definitely gave me a different perspective," Craig said. "It was cool to see them work behind the scenes. I've competitiveness and the desire to win. The grand prize is a $250,000 endorsement contract and representation from an NHL agent. But, as is the case with most reality TV shows, that's about all Craig can reveal. The producers have forbidden all players to speak to anyone about the outcome of the show. For Voakes, who's followed Craig's hockey career since the beginning, it's a request he can respect. "As an uncle, I'm proud of Craig," Voakes said. "I think he has a bright future in hockey. He's very respected as a clean, productive player in the OHL." For now, Craig said he'll be concentrating on having a successful first season with the Spitfires. "The show was an extra," he said. "Right now I'm just focusing on the OHL. When the show is on, I'll watch it." The next Making the Cut - Last Man Standing episode airs Oct. 8 at 3:30 p.m. on Global. LANDSCAPING · SPRINKLER INSTALLATIONS · POST HOLES & DESIGN INC. Ph. 519.776.6826 CARPENTRY SERVICES Specializing in Kitchens & Bathrooms and all your interior & exterior needs. STEVE WOJTALA 519-687-3955 · Comber, Ontario Craig Voakes watched an episode already and they've made it look a lot more competitive than it really was. It was still competitive, because I think everybody deep down wants to do well." Craig spent two weeks performing for the cameras both on and off the ice. According to the show's website, director of hockey operations Jack Birch said players are evaluated on several criteria. He said a combination of skating skills and natural talent is what the judges will be looking for in the players. This includes agility, speed, puck skills, Essex Minor Baseball held its first annual golf tournament at the Belleview golf course on September 23rd. Thanks to all golfers, organizers and sponsors who made this tournament a huge success. Special thanks to Dale Myer, Dave Kigar and John Campbell for all their hard work and to Essex Source for Sports for their generous donation of door prizes. Sponsoring organizations are listed below: Essex Source For Sports Ives Insurance Essex Home Hardware Landmark Engineers Inc. Schinkel's Meat Market Essex Foodland Zehrs Essex Walk-In Clinic Blue Water Pools DPM Insurance Factory Recreational Essex Pharmacare Pharmacy Wells Fargo Dairy Freez Essex Optometric Clinic Essex Pontiac Buick GMC State Farm Insurance BDO Sonny's Pizza Nick's Hair Styling Woodslee Credit Union Essex Feed Warehouse Peterson Spring Kingsville Belleview Golf Course Midget Major CAW Club 200 On Sept. 29 the Essex boys travelled through the rain to LaSalle Arena. The score stayed at zero through most of the first. However the penalty box was used a lot throughout the period by both teams. It wasn't until 1:52 left in he period that Brit Garon ound the back of the net. ssists went to Jesse urocher and Nick Diemer. Less than a minute into the second period LaSalle was on the scoreboard. The penalties kept comng for both teams throughout the second period. On the power play, Mike Devries received a pass from partner Brit Garon and let a howitzer go from the point to take the lead 2-1. Near the end of the period tempers flared and there were more penalties given out. During the intermission the coaches' pep talk must have had an effect. In the third the Ravens stepped up the intensity and put a couple of goals on the board. Both goals were scored by Dan Bacon. The first goal was assisted by Spencer Woltz and an unassisted snipe to complete the pair late in the game. The game ended 4-1 for the Ravens with an outstanding effort by goaltender Chris Zelko. Congratulations boys on your first win of the season. Our next game will be on Friday Oct. 6 against the Tecumseh Eagles at 9:30 at the barn. Come on out and show your support for the Essex Ravens Midget Major club. LOOKING FOR A VEHICLE? WORRIED ABOUT FINANCING? Why Replace that Tractor... Rad Repair Done Onsite Performance Machine Inc. FREE PRE-APPROVALS!! www.easycreditcanada.ca GOOD OR BAD CREDIT ALL APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED We Can Fix It Like New! 35 Victoria Avenue, Essex 776-6761 www.siefker.com Don't Wait til' Spring DO IT NOW