WAXERS PAY TRIBUTE TO
GRADUATING SENIORS The Waxers paid tribute to the four graduating
senior players with a first class presentation immediately prior to the
game between Stouffville and Markham on Friday, February 4, 2000.
The entire presentation text is reproduced below:
MULTIMEDIA
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Markham
Waxers Senior Graduation Players Appreciation Night.
The game tonight marks the final home regular
season contest for four players from the Markham Waxers roster. Tonight is
a celebration of our Seniors: those players who because of their age, are
playing in their final season of Junior eligibility. This year the Waxers
are carrying four players in this category as they were all born in 1979.
The graduation Seniors are defenseman Lawne
Snyder, forwards Tom Kotsopoulos and Rob Mazzuca, and goaltender Jeremy
Wenzel.
The Waxers would like to take this time to
show our appreciation to these four players who have give so much to the
Blue and White.
Tom
Kotsopoulos was acquired by the Waxers from the Aurora Tigers on
November 22, 1999. He made an immediate impact with the Waxers and
scored his first goal in his first game on November 26 versus Pickering.
Tom's tireless work ethic and boundless energy propelled him into one of
the pre-eminent two-way forwards in the League. A terrific penalty
killer and defensive centreman, Tom has shown a flair for offense since
joining the Waxers. his lead-by-example approach to the game quickly
gained him the respect of his teammates and Tom has become an integral
part of the Waxers leadership group.
In three years in the League Tom has played
133 games tallying 25 goals and 33 assists for a total of 58
points (as of February 3, 2000). Since joining the Waxers Tom has played
23 games and scored 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points (as of Feb.
3/2000).
Waxer fans please recognize number 18,
centreman Tom Kotsopoulos!
Rob
Mazzuca entered the League with Coach Herrington in Thornhill and joined
the Waxers as part of the amalgamation. A defenseman at the start of his
Junior career, Rob was moved to forward where he has thrived playing
both wings. A strong presence along the boards and in the slot, Rob
established himself as a tough, punishing winger with soft hands around
the net. A quiet leader, he is respect by teammates and opponents alike.
Rob's family have been loyal supporters and avid fans for the past three
years. The Waxers hope that the Mazzuca clan and their many friends will
continue to make Friday night games in Markham a regular event.
Rob scored his first goal as a Waxer on
October 1, 1998 versus the Stouffville Spirit. His most memorable goal
was an overtime winner against Syracuse in the 1998 playoffs. In his
three years in the League, Rob played 141 games scoring 36 goals and 54
assists for a total of 90 points (as of Feb. 3/2000).
Waxer fans please recognize number 23, left
winger Rob Mazzuca!
Lawne
Snyder started his career in Thornhill with Coach Herrington before
becoming a Waxer when the two teams amalgamated. Lawne has become on of
the most dominant defensemen in the League. His powerful shot and
terrific ice vision have made him an offensive threat while his knack
for open ice hip checks has made him a defensive standout. Lawne is
recognized by his teammates and coaches as the consummate teammate.
Lawne's parents Jack and Carol Snyder have been hard working volunteers
and billets for the Waxers. Jack coordinates the
"Chuck-a-Puck" event and Carol has been a driving force behind
the Annual Dinner/Dance and Silent Auction fundraiser. The Snyder family
will always be welcome at the Waxer home games as often as they want to
attend to attend in the future.
Lawne scored his first Waxer goal on
September 17, 1998 in his first game as a Waxer, a victory over
Huntsville. He may be best remembered for scoring while shorthanded on a
slapshot from his own end, with a goaltender in the Stouffville nets on
October 29, 1998. Over his three year career, Lawne has played 122 games
and has collected 27 goals and 57 assists for a total of 84 points (as
of Feb. 3/2000).
Waxer fans please recognize number 27, right
defenseman Lawne Snyder!
Jeremy
Wenzel joined the Waxers early this season after spending his previous
three seasons in Milton. He quickly proved to be the bonafide number one
goalie the Waxers were looking for and earned his first win in his first
outing, a 5-4 decision over the Stouffville Spirit on October 21, 1999.
Jeremy stepped in and established himself as one of the leaders of the
Waxers both on and off the ice. His steady play and penchant for making
the big save sent a calming influence over the rest of the squad. Jeremy
recorded two assists in a victory on October 22, 1999 and recorded his
first shutout on January 18, 2000 in a 5-0 triumph over Oshawa.
In his four year Junior career, Jeremy has
been an All Star three times. He was also awarded the Goalie of the Year
Award in both the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons. In the the 1996-97
season, his team won the Ontario Junior A Championship and in 1997-98,
Jeremy's team represented Central Canada at the Royal Bank Cup Canadian
Junior A Championships. Jeremy's career has seen him post impressive
numbers. He has played in 101 games earning four shutouts and a goals
against average of 2.89. Jeremy has achieved a record as a goaltender of
71 wins versus 16 losses and 5 ties (as of Feb. 3/2000).
Waxer fans please recognize number 29,
goaltender Jeremy Wenzel!
The Markham Waxers would like to thank Tom,
Rob, Lawne and Jeremy for their efforts and commitement to the
organization. We are very proud of the players and the young men that
these individuals have become and would like to wish them the best of
luck in their future endeavours.
Ladies and Gentlemen, your Senior Graduation
Players from the 1999-2000 Millenium Squad Markham Waxers:
Tom
Kotsopoulos was acquired by the Waxers from the Aurora Tigers on
November 22, 1999. He made an immediate impact with the Waxers and
scored his first goal in his first game on November 26 versus Pickering.
Tom's tireless work ethic and boundless energy propelled him into one of
the pre-eminent two-way forwards in the League. A terrific penalty
killer and defensive centreman, Tom has shown a flair for offense since
joining the Waxers. his lead-by-example approach to the game quickly
gained him the respect of his teammates and Tom has become an integral
part of the Waxers leadership group.
Rob
Mazzuca entered the League with Coach Herrington in Thornhill and joined
the Waxers as part of the amalgamation. A defenseman at the start of his
Junior career, Rob was moved to forward where he has thrived playing
both wings. A strong presence along the boards and in the slot, Rob
established himself as a tough, punishing winger with soft hands around
the net. A quiet leader, he is respect by teammates and opponents alike.
Rob's family have been loyal supporters and avid fans for the past three
years. The Waxers hope that the Mazzuca clan and their many friends will
continue to make Friday night games in Markham a regular event.
Lawne
Snyder started his career in Thornhill with Coach Herrington before
becoming a Waxer when the two teams amalgamated. Lawne has become on of
the most dominant defensemen in the League. His powerful shot and
terrific ice vision have made him an offensive threat while his knack
for open ice hip checks has made him a defensive standout. Lawne is
recognized by his teammates and coaches as the consummate teammate.
Lawne's parents Jack and Carol Snyder have been hard working volunteers
and billets for the Waxers. Jack coordinates the
"Chuck-a-Puck" event and Carol has been a driving force behind
the Annual Dinner/Dance and Silent Auction fundraiser. The Snyder family
will always be welcome at the Waxer home games as often as they want to
attend to attend in the future.
Jeremy
Wenzel joined the Waxers early this season after spending his previous
three seasons in Milton. He quickly proved to be the bonafide number one
goalie the Waxers were looking for and earned his first win in his first
outing, a 5-4 decision over the Stouffville Spirit on October 21, 1999.
Jeremy stepped in and established himself as one of the leaders of the
Waxers both on and off the ice. His steady play and penchant for making
the big save sent a calming influence over the rest of the squad. Jeremy
recorded two assists in a victory on October 22, 1999 and recorded his
first shutout on January 18, 2000 in a 5-0 triumph over Oshawa.