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By Doc Cody
Hi sports readers of The Putnam Town Crier, this is Doc Cody and like my good friend RPC, I’m pleased to be back at the keyboard following a two-year absence. While RPC is vacationing in Florida I’ll be sitting in for two weeks, keeping you up-to-date on the very latest and best sports in the area.
In the RPC style, I’d like to open with a sporty hello to good friend Doug May. A former Woodstock Academy and Tri-Town American Legion baseball standout, May remains on top of the local sports scene.
Word out of Burlington, Vt., that local hockey player Peyton Durand of Pomfret is in for a busy and exciting winter and spring with the East Coast Selects hockey team. He was among more than 350 skaters invited to compete for 68 positions during a Jan. 1 annual minor peewee international tryout session in Vermont.
Vying against players from throughout New England, Quebec and Ottawa, Durand was one of two goalies who were selected to participate with the Selects as they move into the development stage on the way to the World Series International in Stockholm, Sweden. The team will be travelling to tournaments in Buffalo, Toronto and Montreal before moving on to Stockholm. The World Series International will include teams from Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Russia, Norway, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Finland.
“Peyton was superb on January 1. He not only showed he has the skill to be a top hockey prospect but also demonstrated great leadership and passion on the ice,” commented John St-Pierre, CEO for Selects Sports Management.
Selects Hockey is an elite hockey prospect development program. It works with top 12 to 16 year old hockey players across North America and Europe exposing them to all aspects of hockey. Many of Select’s alumni are in the National Hockey League, with an additional 88 receiving NCAA scholarships to such schools as Harvard, Boston University, Boston College, University of Michigan and many other colleges.
Durand comes from solid athletic and academic stock. His parents, Crista and Steve Durand were outstanding athletes at Putnam High School. Crista is a graduate of Salve Regina College and Steve received his bachelor’s from Providence College. Peyton’s grandparents are Phil and Claire Durand and Tony and Carolyn Falzarano.
Spagnuolo Watch Update…
A few weeks back RPC reported on NFL coach Steve Spagnuolo who was fired by the St. Louis Rams after a three-year stint in which his team was 10-38. As predicted, Spagnuolo has resurfaced in the NFL. He recently agreed to take over the defensive coordinator duties for the New Orleans Saints.
Spagnuolo, whose parents Bob and Maria Spagnuolo live in Putnam, previously served as defensive coordinator for a number of teams, most recently with the New York Giants when they defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Noted for his defensive acumen, his 2011 Rams were ranked 22nd in defense in the NFL. In 2007 his Giants’ defense led the NFL with 53 sacks.
The 52 year-old Spagnuolo has found a good spot for himself, as the Saints are one of the top teams in the NFL with Drew Brees as quarterback. It’s conceivable that Spagnuolo may someday see another head coaching slot in the NFL.
Milestones Update…
Congratulations to Plainfield High School’s basketball standout Hailey Griffin who joins Marianapolis’ Kristian Medina in the 1000-point club. Griffin reached the milestone Jan. 20 in the Lady Panther’s 61-37 victory over Lyman Memorial. In reaching the illustrious plateau, she did so by recording 19 points in the win.
Another player approaching the 1000-point mark is Tourtellotte’s Eddie Kopacz. In a recent 95 -49 win over Wheeler High School, Kopacz registered 36 points. He’s well over the 900-point mark with at least nine games or more remaining for the Tigers.
Look Alike…
If new Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine ever becomes ill this summer and the team wants to keep it a secret, Doc Cody has a solution for the problem. All the BoSox have to do is call Dayville’s Charlie Panteleakos to sit in the dugout. Panteleakos is a dead ringer for Valentine that is unless Valentine pulls one of his former tricks out of the bag. When he was managing the New York Mets Valentine reappeared in the dugout after being tossed from the game disguised with glasses and a mustache. Of course his little trick didn’t work because the umpires quickly recognized his act. The Valentine-Panteleakos look alike might stand up however. Check it out sometime.
Leftovers From The Hot Stove Banquet…
The American Legion Hot Stove Banquet of Jan. 15, which honored former Putnamite Bob LaRochelle had a distinct northeastern Connecticut flavor. Spotted in the audience along with my friend, RPC were Thompson’s Joe Lindley and Woodstock’s Everett Shepard. Also in the crowd was former Danielson and current New London resident Sean Brennan. In 2006 Brennan was honored at this banquet with the Umpire of the Year Award.
Doc’s Sports Medicine Advice: “Opportunities come disguised as hard work; so most people don’t recognize them.” Mark Twain