Roberts ready for hometown debut
He’s confident, comfortable and contributing — and he’s only two games into his Ontario Hockey League career. How does he do it? There’s no secret, according to Connor Roberts. You just have to keep your cool.
“I try to not let the emotions get the best of me,” he said. “I just try to focus on my game and play and do what I do best and try to handle myself. “It turned out pretty good.” After setting up two goals in his most recent outing, the 16-year-old forward makes his hometown debut Wednesday when his Hamilton Bulldogs visit the Owen Sound Attack. He’s excited — and a little bit nervous — to play in front of a crowd packed with family and friends. “It’s going to be nuts,” the first-rounder said. The Bulldogs are heading north on a high, having outscored their opponents 14-2 in their first two games of the season. The rookie line of Roberts, Isaac Nurse and Zach Jackson has played an important role.
“They go out there and they give this team energy,” said head coach John Gruden. “It’s a luxury to be able to play four lines consistently, and for a group of young men to actually go out there and set the tone is even more impressive.”
Roberts, meanwhile, relishes the fact that he and his linemates “are pretty hard to handle.”
Owen Sound is still seeking its first win of the season after suffering back-to-back losses to Flint and Sarnia last weekend. There’s good news for the Attack, though — both Jacob Friend and Dunnville native Matt Schmalz have been returned from the Los Angeles Kings and are expected to play.
The same goes for the Bulldogs trio of Cole Candella, Ben Gleason and Connor Hicks, who have returned to Hamilton after NHL tryouts. NOTES: The Bulldogs look to have left their leadership intact this season. Last season’s captain, Justin Lemcke, was sporting the “C” for Hamilton’s game against Mississauga, while Niki Petti donned the alternate’s ‘A’. Head coach Gruden said the team still plans on naming another two alternate captains. … Wednesday’s game gets underway at 7 p.m. Follow along at TSN 1150, Cable 14 or online at OHL Live.