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38 FOCUS - APRIL 2016 He averages four to six days a week with hockey Kerri reports. But hes also involved with sports at school volleyball basketball wrestling and sings in the boys choir. Until recently he took piano lessons. Ethan adds that he enjoys reading. I like non-fiction books about the human body. His choice of reading material may be extraordinary for his youth but not entirely surprising given his parents vocations. Kerri is a Port Perry-based physician Shannon a paramedic in York Region. Ethans medical inter- est may offer an alternate career path supposing hockey doesnt dictate its direction. You always need to have a Plan B Kerri reminds him with a smile. In addition to captaining the Peewee Wolves this winter Ethan was chosen for the East Coast Selects one of four Canadian regional teams who will represent our country in Balzano Italy this spring among international competition. I was nervous at the selection camp this January Ethan admits candidly. The players were even more skilled than the guys I played against with the Wolves and I was afraid of making mistakes. Earlier experiences including one he singles out as the moment when he feels his dream truly took flight proved beneficial. Making the Ontario Red which competed in a prestigious tournament in Minnesota last year gave me con- fidence. I realized I could play at that level. Remembering that settled me down and I made the team. The Selects program now 10 years established grooms 11 to 16-year- olds for junior college and professional hockey boasting a number of NHL players among its alumni. Ethans team invited 300 kids to their tryout drawing from a huge geo- graphic area Florida to Ontario the Maritimes and west to the Manitoba border Shannon says. Making that team was a real accomplishment but hes a humble kid with a good attitudenever assumes hes in or takes anything for granted. Ethan most certainly understands the scope of his accomplishment. Its an honour to represent Canada. With his Wolves season set to wind down prior to the international tour- nament and his time in Italy lasting only a couple short weeks Ethan is already turning an eye to spring and summer hockey. As Kerri explains these offer different opportunities. Winter hockey games and prac- tices are very scheduled and you can play only in your home area she says. In the warmer months you can join anywhere. Summer teams demand varying commitments so its much more flexible. Its a chance to experience different players and coaches. And with mid-summer comes an enforced break. For two weeks in July he goes to summer campwith no hockey. He finds it hard taking that break but comes back raring to go again. Four years of elite competition and off- and on-ice development a span which will include his introduction to contact-hockey separate Ethan from his next milestone. At that time hell be OHL draft-eligible. Or to preserve the possibility of an NCAA scholar- ship he might opt for a team in the Provincial Junior A league. My aunt Mrs. Fisher told me to keep working hard and she said the opportunities would come Ethan recalls. At a strapping 5 9 and 160 pounds and just 11 years old Ethan possesses the physical tools to rise through hockeys elite ranks. His desire to reach its uppermost rung is unquestionable. The love and support of his family keep him grounded and provide a soul-nourishing environ- ment to pursue his dream. Uncharacteristically the last mo- ment of our conversation belongs to me. Good luck I tell Ethan sincerely. And when the time comes please get drafted by the Maple Leafs. They could use help on defence. Theres laughter all around. But who knows By Scott Mercer Focus on Scugog The Best continued from page 28 Smiles all around Ethan showing some of his trophies and medals alongside his mom Kerri and dad Shannon. PhotoSbyMARYANNFLEMING Referrals are the core of our business Call John 905 434 0517 905 985 8569 www.lucykrenovations.com Renovations from the outside in we can do it all We can turn your kitchen ...... into a dream kitchenWe can turn your kitchen ...... into a dream kitchen BEFORE We can turn your kitchen ...... into a dream kitchen AFTER