67's goaltender Andree still eagerly awaiting OHL's return
Like many players left in hockey limbo, junior star looking to life away from rink
Ottawa 67's goaltender Cedrick Andree understands the buzz surrounding the return of NHL hockey.
Or any hockey, for that matter. He was parked in front of the screen for the past few weeks, watching his coach, Andre Tourigny, and his teammate, Jack Quinn, in what ended up being a silver medal-winning performance at the world junior championship.
“Not much else to do,” Andree said. “It's nice to see some hockey on TV.”
The return of the NHL is a blessing in the wait for the light at the end of the vaccination needle, but nothing much has changed at most other levels of hockey.
Take a step back from the big leagues, without the massive broadcast rights, and it's the same old story for the parts of the hockey world searching for solutions for survival without having fans in the seats and/or while keeping safety protocols in place.
The start of the 2020-21 Ontario Hockey League season has been pushed back several times and there's no definitive date for a return due to the second wave outbreak of COVID-19 cases.
“I don't even know about (playing) this season, I don't know anything, but I'm hoping for good news,” said Andree. “I think the OHL has a Plan A, a Plan B and a Plan C, but no one really knows what's going to happen.”
Andree, 20, bided his time waiting to assume the top job for an extended playoff run with the 67's. Last March, he was on the cusp of backstopping the powerhouse squad toward a potential long run to win the Memorial Cup as Canada's top major junior team. He ranked second in the OHL in wins (32) and goals-against average (2.42) and was fourth in save percentage (.916) when play stopped.
“After last year, it was tough, we had such a good team, we were on track to demolish the (wins) record from the year before, when we had made franchise history,” Andree said of the 67's, who had rolled to a 50-11-0-1 record before the pandemic shut everything down.
“At first, we all thought we would be able to come back and finish the season. At the time, we thought maybe we would be out for a week and a half or two weeks. And here we are next January, still in a lockdown.”
Andree has not been drafted by an NHL franchise and his junior eligibility expires following a season that may or may not happen.
There was optimism in October and November and Andree enjoyed “some really good skates” with fellow juniors and pro players.
Once the second wave hit with a flurry, though, ice time dwindled or disappeared altogether and players dispersed, looking for any and all opportunities to play.
67's star Graeme Clarke and his brother Brandt, a Barrie Colts star and a top prospect for the 2021 NHL draft, have been loaned to Nové Zámky, a pro team in Slovakia. 67's defenceman Alec Belanger is with a junior team in Finland and left winger Jack Beck is off to Sweden.
“I was working out with the guys in Ottawa and I'm trying to work out where I can find ice, but it's a lot harder with the lockdown and everything changed again,” said Andree. “I get on the ice when I can.”
Andree has talked to teams in Europe, but finding a home overseas is more difficult for younger goaltenders because of the limited spots available for North American players.
“Most pro leagues have goalies in their late 20s and it's better for them to take a chance on a hotshot like Graeme Clarke,” he said.
At this point, Andree has even resorted to lugging his equipment to the neighbourhood park, desperately seeking shots.
“I've gone out of the outdoor rink,” he said. “It's fun, but it's not the same as a practice with the team.”
If there's a bright light in all of the above, it's that Andree has taken a step back to seriously consider life beyond hockey.
He has spent his idle time working toward receiving his real estate licence — his father is in the business — well aware of the escalating house prices in the Ottawa area.
“I decided to do that instead of taking one university course at a time. I hope in the next 40-50 days to have my licence. I decided to do that, just in case I'm not playing pro and I can come back and be a realtor.
“My Dad is helping me with some of the tests. I may as well jump at it. Why not? I know a lot of people through hockey and the spring forecast is hot for houses. It's a good side gig besides hockey.”
Andree is keeping his head up. He does have options.
As part of an agreement in his contract with the 67's, his schooling at a Canadian university is paid for and he would be an attractive option for a top-flight program. The deal also allows him the freedom to play pro hockey for half a season without losing access to the university funding.
“Schools have contacted me, but I'm not ready for that,” he said. “I have half a year of pro eligibility and I will take a good luck at that. I've had two good seasons in the OHL.”
He's still keeping his fingers crossed that a third season might happen.
“Basically, I'm optimistic that hopefully we will play hockey this season,” he said. “But if it's into the fall, then next season, I want to be playing somewhere.”
In the meantime, if you see a guy wearing a mask — and goalie pads — at the outdoor rink, take a shot. He would appreciate the work.
I was working out with the guys in Ottawa and I’m trying to work out where I can find ice, but it’s a lot harder with the lockdown …