BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
When starting from scratch, sometimes a recipe takes a little time to develop. This is what the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats are hoping.
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The Sabrecats are a completely new and different team from the one last season. The Sabrecats had to start their franchise all over again, after it was sold and moved to Manitoulin Island.
New owners came forward, the Sabrecats name continues, but this is a far different franchise from the one that has dominated the Northern Ontario Junior A Hockey League for most of the last decade.
The Sabrecats are touting a high percentage of local players and plan to compete every night they play.
"We will play with a great deal of energy and we want to be consistent with that energy," said head coach Steve Richardson. "If we want to win games, we will have to outwork other teams. That's what it will take for us to be successful."
Coaching
Richardson, who has 20 years of hockey coaching experience including coaching the Valley East Consbec Midgets of the Great North Midget League for several seasons, has plenty of help behind the bench and in the dressing room this season.
His assistant coaches, Bruce McDougall and Joe Williams, bring over 35 years of combined hockey experience to the team. Eric Larochelle, a former defenceman with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Guelph Storm is also on board to help. Former Sudbury Wolves coach Stu Duncan will be an advisor to the team.
"Our guys are well-respected throughout the hockey community."
Goaltending
The Sabrecats will start the season with two rookies in the pipes, but each has solid credentials and can step right in at this level of hockey, says Richardson.
Darren Rowlandson and Paul Dainton, both 17, who backstopped the Sudbury Lockerby Confectionery Nickel Capitals to the Great North Midget League (GNML) Championship last year, will tend to the netminding duties. Even though both goalies are young, Richardson is high on them.
"Darren is quick, technically sound and his concentration is solid. Paul has quick feet and has great positional play," said Richardson.
"They both compete hard and want to win."
Defence
The Sabrecats will be young along the blue line this year. Richardson is hoping for a couple players to step up and seize the opportunity to solidify his defence corps.
Andre Gauvin and Skyler Condrado, both 17, will be counted on to spark the defence. They both plied their trade for the Valley East Consbec Cobras of the GNML last season.
"Gauvin is a strong skater and has great one on one ability," said Richardson. "Condrado is very strong in front of the net and moves the puck up the ice well."
Richardson also brought in P.J. Comeau from the now-defunct Espanola franchise.
"Comeau brings a hard work ethic, experience in this league and toughness."
Forwards
Richardson is boasting a major coup for the Sabrecats offence this season. He has had discussions with Darren Marynuk, 20, who lead the Espanola franchise in scoring last season with 58 points in 37 games and is convinced Marynuk will play for the Sabrecats. North Bay currently owns Marynuk's playing rights.
"I've talked to Darren and he wants to play with us," said Richardson. "We still have to secure his rights, but one way or another we find a way to get it done."
Marynuk would be a major cog in the Rayside Balfour machine.
"He would bring leadership and he competes hard every night, exactly the type of player we're looking for," said Richardson. "He's a proven scorer in this league."
Richardson is hoping a pair of 16 year olds will generate offence this season. Brandon Biederman and Kris Purawec have great skills and instincts.
"Brandon has fast feet and he's a terrific puck-handler," said Richardson. "Kris has quick feet and a good pair of hands. He just needs to be more intense."
Outlook
The Sabrecats goal this season is to get better with every passing game and have every player develop into stronger players.
"We will play to win," said Richardson. "We would like to finish second in our division and challenge North Bay for the lead."
