Sapurji: Erie finds Spirit-ed defenceman

Sunaya Sapurji is in her tenth season covering the Ontario Hockey League for the Toronto Star. She was called up to the AHL beat in 2003-04 to follow the Toronto Roadrunners, but they skipped town sending her back to junior.

Prior to joining the Star, Sunaya worked in television, covered Tier II Jr. A hockey, university hockey (CIAU) and hosted an OHL radio show. She graduated from York University with degrees in English and Mass Communication.

As a youngster she followed the OHL's Toronto Marlies and her favourite player --Brian Collinson.

"I was 10 years old and he signed an autograph for me - automatically making him my favourite player," she recalled. "He's probably selling insurance now."

Sunaya has also done work for ESPN Magazine and a number of U.S. papers. As a proud Canadian, she is also a big supporter of Tim Hortons coffee, which she consumes daily and in large amounts. In addition to reporting on OHL, Sunaya is a full-time copy editor in the sports department at the Star.

As always - questions, comments, compliments, complaints, threats etc: sunaya19@hotmail.com