BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Teams in the OHL are gearing up for another wild season of
hockey. The Sudbury Wolves will face some stiff
competition in 2006-07 as they vie to be the best in the
league. It won't be easy as every other club has the same
feeling burning in their minds - winning the Memorial Cup.
The road to the national championship begins this weekend as
all 20 teams are kicking off their regular seasons. The Wolves
host Mississauga tonight at Sudbury Arena. Game time is 7:30
pm. The Wolves host Brampton Sunday at 2 pm.
The Wolves compete in the Eastern Conference in the Central
Division. Their main rivals - Brampton, Barrie, Mississauga and
Toronto - have all reloaded and are ready to battle to the
bitter end.
The Western Conference teams are also ready to wage war for
the next seven months for the top prize in Canadian major
Junior hockey.
Here's an in-depth look at the Wolves four Central Division foes and mini profiles on the other 15 teams in the OHL. (Stats are from last season)
The Barrie Colts
2005-06 record: 43-21-1-3, 90 points
Playoff result: The Colts went on a stampede in the 2006
playoffs, which saw them dump Toronto in four straight games in
the first round. Barrie then swatted Brampton in five games in
the second round.
In the Eastern Conference final, the Colts lost to
Peterborough in five games.
Major moves: The Colts were busy during training camp making several key moves. Barrie, knowing they can't rely on superstar Bryan Little to do it alone sent winger Mark Roloefson and three draft picks to Sarnia for left winger Richard Clune. They then shipped Adam MacArthur and another pick to Windsor for goalie Jake Fischer. They also picked up veteran defender Tyson Aitcheson from Sarnia for future considerations.
At the draft, Barrie selected Stefan Della Rovere, a
five-foot-ten, 180 pound forward who has some skill and a lot
of toughness. Head coach Marty Williamson describes Della
Rovere one of the toughest players in his age group with a
bright future.
Season outlook: Barrie was hit hard by graduation, losing
veteran players such as snipers Jakub Petruzalek, Ryan Hamilton
and Travis Fuller, who all combined for 79 goals lats season.
They also lost their number one goalie, Dan LaCosta, who made
the difference on many nights for Barrie, and defender David
Pszenyczny.
This doesn't mean teams will have a picnic against Barrie.
Little's return to the club will determine if they can compete
for a top playoff spot. Little, who scored 42 goals and 109
points last year, has the capability to lead the OHL in
scoring. The Colts will need him to score at that frantic pace
all season. Clune adds scoring depth and grit to a squad that
sorely lacks both. Career years out of forwards Hunter Tremblay
(31 goals and 77 points) and Vladimir Nikiforov (19 goals and
55 points) will be expected. Defenceman Andrew Marshall (23
goals and 66 points) returns for a final season and could
challenge to be the league's top-scoring defender.
"It's a big difference when you lose Fuller, Hamilton, Petruzalek, LaCosta and Pszenyczny," said Williamson. "We have a lot of holes to fill. We've made some moves to improve our club and we still have a good core of players here.
Losing LaCosta hurts the most because we relied on him. Our defence and goaltending are going to have to be awfully good this season to make up for it. We're going for a division title and to be as competitive as we can be."
Sudbury factor: Not applicable.
The Brampton Battalion
2005-06 record: 44-21-1-2, 91 points.
Playoff result: Brampton bounced Belleville in the six games in
the first round. In the second round, the Battalion fell in
five games to Barrie.
Major moves: The Battalion kept fairly quiet over the summer
and during training camp, sending Jason Cassidy to Sarnia for a
third round pick and then picking up goalie Aaron Rock from
Saginaw for an eighth round pick.
At the draft, Brampton selected five-foot-10, 170-pound forward Cody Hodgson in the first round. Hodgson has been a pleasant surprise and excels at playing a two-way game.
Season outlook: Despite losing their two top scorers (OHL MVP Wojtek Wolski 128 points and Luch Aquino 72 points in 32 games), Brampton returns as a solid group ready to challenge the best teams. The team will lean on their captain, defenceman John De Gray, to lead them through the season. Up front, forwards such as Howie Martin (70 points), Aaron Snow (30 goals), Luke Lynes (34 goals) and Taylor Raszka (27 goals) will guide the squad's offence.
The club is also counting on defender Phil Oreskovic
(six-foot-four, 225-pounds) and goalie Bryan Pitton to return
and provide leadership.
"We will be good in net with Rock and Pitton," said head coach Stan Butler. "We will have a good defence. Our question mark this season will be scoring and how we will consistently score. It will be the key to our success or failure."
Sudbury factor: The Battalion features Sudbury product
Justin Levac. The hulking winger was selected 34th overall in
2005 and is expected to supply offence and size. In 24 games
last year, the six-foot-two, 193-pound winger scored two goals
and five points.
"Justin brings speed and skill and we're looking for good things from him this year," said Butler. "We hope he can be a big contributor all around."
The Mississauga IceDogs
2005-06 record: 21-40-5-2, 49 points.
Playoff result: Missed the playoffs.
Major moves: The team was sold to Eugene Melnyk in the summer as an interim measure, who will then sell the club at a future date and move the Toronto St. Michael's Majors into the Hershey Centre. In August, the club hired former Windsor and Guelph coach Mike Kelly as head coach. Needing veteran leadership and scoring, Mississauga went out and grabbed overage forward Travis Fuller from Barrie for future considerations. Fuller netted 22 goals and 48 points in 68 games last season. At the draft, Mississauga hoisted defenceman Alex Pietrangelo third overall. The six-foot-two, 185-pound defender has made an immediate impact on the club.
"He's better than I ever expected," said Kelly. "Alex is the
real deal and special player. He will play 20 to 22 minutes a
game for us."
Season outlook: Even with all the pending chaos, attitudes
are positive in Mississauga, especially with the prospect of 23
returning players. The franchise is going through a rebuilding
phase after competing for the OHL title a couple of seasons
ago. In the 23 returning players, there's a good mix of skill,
grit and edge. The team is going to count on further
development of players such as Cody Bass (the captain, 41
points, 152 penalty minutes), big centre Oskar Osala
(six-foot-four, 216-pounds, 43 points) and swift-footed
defender Kyle Lamb to lead the charge. Jordan Owens (54
points), Michael swift (54 points) and Chris Lawrence (53
points) will also be asked to step it up.
"We only have about three to four rookies, but we're still a young team," said Kelly. "By the same token, we're also fairly experienced. Cody will be our leader and he should make Canada's national junior team. We are certainly looking for more production from Owens, Swift and Lawrence...we want them to build on their seasons. If we play tough, in-your-face hockey...we will compete with anyone. We don't have the one big scoring centre like other teams, but our depth on the third and fourth lines are as good as anyone else."
Sudbury factor: The IceDogs have two Sudbury connections,
one more prominent than the other. Mississauga features one
local boy, winger Jadran Beljo.
The crafty forward had an off year, by his standards in 2005-06, scoring just 12 goals and 49 points in 55 games.
The team is banking on a return to form, which saw him rip
19 goals two seasons ago.
The other is former Wolves blueliner Lamb. The short, but
speedy Lamb scored 25 points last season, split between Owen
Sound and Mississauga.
"Jadran is gifted around the net," said Kelly.
"He has the hands to be a 20 to 30 goal player. We will need
him to do that if we're going to have any kind of success."
The Toronto St. Michael's Majors
2005-06 record: 32-26-6-4, 74 points.
Playoff result: The Majors took it on the chin, as they were
swept in four games by Barrie in the first round.
Major moves: Toronto shook up their roster over the summer, making several significant moves. They shipped sniper Tyler Donati to Belleville for a second round pick and forward Scott Baker (who in turn quit hockey this season), dealt defenceman Ryan Wilson and a fifth round pick to Sarnia for two draft picks and forward Jason Cassidy.
Recently, they added defender Troy Murray from Sudbury for an eighth round selection. At the draft, the team selected five-foot-nine, 180-pound forward Dylan O'Neil, who has supplied some offence in the preseason.
Season outlook: The Majors have major work to do. The team
has lost some guts in the form of Wilson and Donati, but have
several key veterans who will make life for opposing teams
fairly miserable. The club will rely heavily on the exploits on
players such as Cassidy, Justin Donati (109 points), second
year forward Matt Caria (37 points) and goalie Wayne Savage.
Forward Michael Haley (161 penalty minutes) is back to serve
up some toughness and emotional lift for the team. He is one of
the toughest scrappers in the OHL.
"We have a lot of young kids," said head coach Bud Stefanski. "Our goaltending has been good and defensively, we have done a good job at killing penalties. We're going to be a hard-working team. We have some guys who will take the body. We will have to have a strong fore check and I want the guys to compete hard every night. Cassidy has come in with a lot of skill and he's feisty and a shift disturber. Wayne Savage will be key for us this year. Justin will be one of our leaders."
Sudbury factor: Not applicable.
East Division
Peterborough Petes: 47-16-2-3, 99 points. The Petes won the OHL
championship by sweeping London in the final. They hired a new
coach, Vince Malette and will be counting on big seasons from
goalie Trevor Cann and the return of forwards such as Jordan
Staal, Steve Downie and Daniel Ryder. The Petes have the pieces
to be a strong squad again.
Kingston Frontenacs: 37-24-4-3, 81 points. Kingston lost in the first round to Sudbury in six games. Kingston returns a host of snipers in Chris Stewart, Cory Emmerton, Bobby Hughes and Peder Skinner. If the defence and goaltending holds up, look out because the Frontenacs will challenge for first in the East.
Belleville Bulls: 32-28-5-3, 72 points. Belleville lost in six
games to Brampton in the first round. The Bulls should be the
best team in the Eastern Conference. They have arguably the
best goalie in the OHL, Kevin Lalande, a top defenceman in Matt
Pelech and snipers such as Matt Beleskey, Tyler Donati and John
Hughes.
Oshawa Generals: The Generals have John Tavares, who took the league by storm last year, scoring 45 goals in 65 games. They have a solid core in Peter Tsimikalis, Cal Clutterbuck, Vaclav Meidl and Brett MacLean and could return to the playoffs.
Ottawa 67's: If coach Brian Kilrea can sort out his goaltending problem, the 67's will be tough to beat. They have a veteran defence corps and guys who can score such as Logan Couture.
Western Conference
Midwest Division
London Knights: 49-15-1-3, 102 points. London lost in the OHL
final to Peterborough in four games. The Knights have reloaded
with young guns such as Patrick Kane, Sam Gagner and Phil
McRae. After slapping the league around for two seasons, London
will fall in the standings.
Kitchener Rangers: 47-19-1-1, 96 points. Lost in first round to Owen Sound. A strong core remains with forward Justin Azevedo and defender Jakub Kindl leading the way. Without goalie Dan Turple, Kitchener will also fall in the standings.
Guelph Storm: Blessed with a powerful defence - Ryan Parent, Ryan Potruff and Drew Doughty - the Storm should challenge for a top spot in the division.
Owen Sound Attack: 32-29-4-3, 71 points. Lost in second round to London. All eyes will be watching to see if 95-point man Bobby Ryan will return. With Bobby Sanguinetti and Theo Peckham on defence, the Attack will be a playoff team.
Erie Otters: 26-35-4-3, 59 points. Missed the playoffs. Erie will continue to rebuild this season and centre Ryan O'Marra's return will go a long way.
West Division
Plymouth Whalers: 35-28-1-4, 75 points. Plymouth lost in the
second round to Guelph. Plymouth has a solid core of players
and will, again, be a top contender.
Saginaw Spirit: 36-30-2-0, 74 points. Lost in the first round
to Guelph. No team features a more lucrative group of forwards
and defencemen. Centre Ryan McDonough should challenge for the
league's scoring title. With Patrick O'Neill, Matt Corrente,
Mitch Maunu, Ryan Garlock, and Tom Pyatt, this team could win
the OHL crown. Goaltending is the only question mark.
Windsor Spitfires: 32-29-3-4, 71 points. Lost in first round to Plymouth. Windsor has new owners who are trying to instill respect. They could struggle.
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds: 29-31-3-5, 66 points. Lost in first round to London. Coach Craig Hartsburg will ensure the team is competitive.
Sarnia Sting: 17-46-2-3, 39 points. Missed playoffs. The team has reloaded with vets and feature a rugged defence. A return to the playoffs isn't out of the question.
