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Scott Stafford, one of the most legendary players in
the history of the Sarnia Legionnaires hockey club,
achieved a milestone Wednesday night.
Stafford, the one-handed forward who plays today for
the Thorold Blackhawks, scored the 100th
point of his junior career.
The
landmark accomplishment came in the third period of
a game between the Blackhawks and the Port Colborne
Pirates. To be precise, it came at the 14 second
mark of the final frame when Stafford collected his
second assist of the contest.
The
20-year-old rightwinger, who was born without his
left hand, was given a chance to play in the Greater
Ontario Junior Hockey League by the Sarnia club when
he was just 16 years old.
His
refusal to allow his disability to hold him back
quickly made Stafford a fan favourite. And he gained
national publicity for the community twice,
including once in which CBC TV did a feature on him
for a Hockey Day in Canada broadcast.
On
another occasion the Legionnaires flew in a young
handicapped player from Nova Scotia to meet him. The
story was carried by newspapers across the country.
Stafford also visited local schools from time to
time, giving inspirational talks. For his efforts,
he was named to the Mayor's Honour list by Mayor
Mike Bradley.
He
showed his appreciation to the Legionnaires by
becoming an ace penalty killer and playmaker. In
fact, in two seasons in Sarnia he scored 11 regular
season goals and added 30 assists.
In
the spring of 2009, he netted two playoff goals and
three assists to help the Legionnaires win the
Western Jr. 'B' championship.
Stafford left Sarnia last year to attend Brock
University in St. Catharines. While there, he suited
up with the Blackhawks.
In
all, he has 26 regular season goals and 74 assists
to his credit.
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