Cookstown teen makes national ball hockey club
By Chris Simon

Cookstown resident Tom Kokelj, right, poses with Ontario Ball Hockey Association minor council chair Steve Dockerty, after winning the association's Minor Male Provincial Player of the Year recently

Cookstown's Thomas Kokejl has been named to the roster of the Canadian Ball Hockey Association's Under 20 World Junior Championship team.

Kokelj, who was recently named Ontario Ball Hockey Association Minor Male Provincial Player of the Year, is among 24 players that will compete at the 2008 World Championships, which take place in St. John's, Newfoundland in June.

Kokejl has been playing ball hockey for several years, and has competed on several Beeton-run provincial teams.

When putting together the team, CBHA scouts scoured the Western Challenge Cup, Ontario and Newfoundland Provincials and the Junior and Senior Nationals. The team is made up of players representing five provinces, including two from British Columbia, four from Alberta, one from New Brunswick, five from Newfoundland and 12 from Ontario.

"Over the past thirtythree years the OBHA has experienced unparalleled growth and success at the minor, men's and women's level of participation that has consequently transcended onto the national and international playing fields over the years," said association minor council chair Steve Dockerty, in a press release. "The developments and achievements each year are the result of many individual administrators, executives, officials, participants and volunteers involved in the game that make it all possible."

The goaltender will be Jarret Tanner from Frankford. On defence, Chris Cerqueira (Toronto), Aaron Blonde (Chatham), Marc Cundari (Woodbridge) and Kokejl will represent Canada.

The forwards will be Gian Luca Caputi (Maple), Frankie Giustini (Maple), Jeff Broekema (Belleville), Kyle Hawkins Schulz (West Lake), Tyler McFadden (Chatham), Adam Bevilaqua (Brampton), Kelly Loughran (Penetanguishene).

Team staff include Mauro Cugini, general manager (Maple), Jason Su, team doctor (Scarborough), Marta Dos Santos, registered massage therapist (Toronto), Harvey Boutilier, equipment manager and trainer (Brampton).