Toronto all-stars on ice and gridiron.
Canada made up well more than half of the 50-member U-19 U.S. team, with four coming from Toronto.
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Toronto athletes showcased their talents in two prestigious all-star games Wednesday, Feb. 1 - in the Home Hardware Top Prospects Game in Kelowna and at the International Federation of Football's third annual U-19 2012 International Bowl in Austin, Texas, pitting the U.S. against the world.INTERNATIONAL BOWLThe world team handed the U-19 U.S. team its first international loss, 35-29.Canada made up well more than half of the 50-member world team with four from Toronto - wide receiver Tevaun Smith, defensive back Marcus Grandison, offensive tackle Winston Miles and offensive lineman Peter Godber.All are former members of the North York-based Metro Toronto Wildcats, which play in the Ontario Varsity Football League and all have suited up for various Toronto high schools.Smith, a former student at Chaminade College School in North York, again made his mark with a touchdown reception, to go along with last year's memorable 79-yard kick off return (which helped him earn last year's game MVP honours).The world team lost the previous two years, 21-14 and 17-0, respectively.See our preview story at www.insidetoronto.com/sports/article/12897162012 TOP PROSPECT GAMEFrom famine to feast, Toronto had only one player with even a loose connection to the city in last year's Top Prospects Game, which Toronto hosted, compared to this year when it had six players (and not five as we previously stated in our preview story) invited to make the long trek out to Kelowna.One of the players, Rexdale's Malcolm Subban, a goaltender for the Belleville Bulls, had to withdraw due to a groin injury, but the other five players suited up and they were: Adam Pelech, Erie Otters; Gemel Smith, Owen Sound Attack; Matthew Finn, Guelph Storm; Tom Wilson, Plymouth Whalers; and Scott Kosmachuk, Guelph Storm.Team Orr (with Finn, Pelech and Kosmachuk) won 2-1 over Team Cherry (with Smith and Wilson).The half dozen local players all played their youth hockey for various Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) clubs.The Top 40 draft-eligible players from Canada's three major junior leagues were invited by the NHL to strut their stuff in advance of this year's draft.See our preview story at www.insidetoronto.com/sports/article/1286690