The excitement from the opening of training camp has now given way to a pair of less than ideal pre-season results for the Sudbury Wolves which, of course, means that it's time to once again remind folks that this is only the pre-season.
Given that one of the primary purposes of the exercise is to be able to make those key decisions on the final few spots that will round out the roster, it only stands to reason that the bulk of those prospects who are in the running for the handful of spots be given every opportunity to show what they can do - and sometimes, what they cannot do, even if that means taking a few lumps in exhibition games that do not count in the standings.
Sure, the Wolves would have much preferred to have beaten the Soo Greyhounds and Ottawa 67's by scores of 7-2 and 8-2 on back to back days, rather than looking at the wrong end of the scoreboard.
But it does little to take away from the very positive outlook that both team management and players alike share in anticipation of the upcoming 2019-2020 campaign. "There is no doubt the bar has been raised and now it's a question of how do we push that bar even higher," said Sudbury GM Rob Papineau at the camp opening press reception last Wednesday.
"Last year, we scored a lot of goals, and we have a lot of our goal scoring back. We really didn't graduate a lot of our high-end offence, other than Adam (Ruzicka), so that's exciting. It's the first time since I've been here that I would say we have five really good defencemen here."
Author of 51 goals in his first two seasons in the OHL and a 6th round draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in June, Blake Murray has now been exposed to the overall approach that is needed if one's long term aspirations involve NHL hockey.
"This past summer, going to the Carolina development camp, they really stressed acting like a pro, being a pro, elevating my game," he said. "I have to bring that to Sudbury. It's a matter of being consistent, coming out my hardest each and every shift."
"Even if I'm not scoring, I have to be doing something out there, forechecking hard, making that hit, making a nice play. Just getting involved every game, every shift, and try and be a role model for the young guys."
While the Friday morning Blue and White game spelled the end of the line for the majority of the 2019 OHL draftees in camp, there might not be a better example than Isaak Phillips of just how to leverage the experience for the better, even when dealing with the disappointment of being sent back to play junior hockey in a league other than the OHL.
"I think that was the best thing for me, just being able to play every game and play a lot of minutes every game," said Phillips, a 4th round pick in 2018 who spent that winter with the Stouffville Spirit of the OJHL before becoming a regular in Sudbury last year.
"It gave me that experience to be able to come back to camp the next year and show what I could do. The experience you gain is important, when you're playing, instead of coming here and not playing."
A late birthdate - Phillips will celebrate his 18th birthday on September 28th, making him eligible for the 2020 NHL draft - the smooth-skating blueliner is looking to continue to round out his game, knowing full well that the eyes of many an NHL scout are likely to be in the building at every single one of the Wolves' 68 regular-season games.
"I need to keep up my skating, because that's one of my strengths, and work on my physical game, getting a little nastier in the corners, showing that I can still be in there and play solid defensively, and keep up my offensive game."
"The key is to not take yourself out of the play," Phillips continued. "The first play you see is probably the one you should make because it's probably the right one. Don't overthink things and follow your instincts."
Of course, a big part of the reason why NHL scouts will be flocking to Sudbury encounters is the presence of OHL Rookie of the Year Quinton Byfield, a projected top-five NHL pick next summer.
Finishing the 2018-2019 campaign with 29 goals and 32 assists in 64 games, Byfield knows full well that expanding his game is the only way to continue his path to what appears likely to be a very successful career in hockey.
"I thought I took a big step last year with my defensive zone play, but I can always improve my play on that, playing 200 feet," he said. "And I need to shoot the puck more. I think I have more confidence to shoot the puck more this year."
A much better than an average all-around athlete who is equally as comfortable on the basketball courts, Byfield admits to being an avid "gamer", though he has now transitioned away from Fortnite, and is anxiously awaiting the release of NHL 2020.
Just a few years from now, it's completely possible that Sudbury kids will enjoy the opportunity to hold the command set for the computerized version of Byfield, which means they should see at least two of his favourite breakaway moves.
"I'll fake forehand and go backhand five-hole, or fake forehand and backhand, then go back to my forehand and five-hole," said Byfield. Mind you, he seemed even more excited about the post-goal "celly", as he looks to add a little originality come the time when 2019-2020 OHL games count for real.
Perhaps a little Teemu Selanne?
"No, a little more subtle than that," said Byfield with a smile.
In a city where far too many casual OHL fans seem convinced that junior stars dread being drafted to, the former #1 overall selection suggested otherwise. "All cold aside, Sudbury is a really good place with lots of great people," said Byfield.
"It's a great arena to play in, this old barn. The management, the coaches here give you every opportunity in the world to succeed."
And two lopsided pre-season defeats are not about to change his opinion.
Pre-Season Odds and Ends: Though veterans have accounted for 75% of the Wolves limited scoring to date (Macauley Carson has two goals and Owen Gilhula has one), rookie Chase Stillman also managed to light the lamp Sunday in Ottawa.
Likewise for Peterborough Petes rookie defenceman and Sudbury native Josh Kavanagh, who found the back of the net in a 3-2 win over the North Bay Battalion on Saturday.
