Stillman makes a fine debut
BULLDOGS 8, STEELHEADS 4
It didn’t take Riley Stillman long to make an impact.
Just a few hours after he was acquired from the Oshawa Generals, the veteran defenceman chipped in a goal and an assist to help lift the Bulldogs over the visiting Mississauga Steelheads Thursday.
Brandon Saigeon led the way with a hat trick in the 8-4 win — the sixth straight for the hosts.
The Gens received five highround draft picks in exchange for the 19-year-old Stillman, including a third rounder in 2018 and second rounders in 2020 and 2022. The deal also involved conditional selections in 2023 and 2024.
It was a high price, especially considering the glut of 1998-born players already on the roster — but Steve Staios was happy to pay for a guy he feels is “a perfect fit” for his group.
“He can shut down top lines and tough opponents, he has a physical edge to him that way. He has good puck ability and can play in all situations,” the Bulldogs general manager added.
Stillman is a six-foot-two, 197pound Peterborough native better known for his in-your-face style than his numbers. That being said, scouting reports often mention an offensive upside, which was evident against the Steelheads.
At the 13-minute mark of the opening frame, Stillman received a pass at the left point, paused and fired a perfectly placed shot into the net over goalie Jacob Ingham’s left shoulder — his second goal of the season. In 29 games with the Generals, the Florida Panthers prospect also had 12 assists, a plus-1 rating and 52 penalty minutes, which immediately makes him Hamilton’s PIM leader.
Stillman, the son of two-time Stanley Cup winner and Sudbury Wolves bench boss Cory Stillman, was paired up with another tough blueliner Thursday — Bulldogs captain Justin Lemcke. Head coach John Gruden expected the duo would cause problems for opposing teams.
“They’re both physical, good defencemen and they’re not going to be fun to play against,” he said.
On top of Stillman and Saigeon, Mackenzie Entwistle scored twice for the Bulldogs, while Matt Strome and Connor McMichael added singles. Owen Tippett had two goals and Cole Schwindt and Trent Fox one apiece for Mississauga, which kicked off the second half of the campaign in second-tolast place in the Eastern Conference.
The Bulldogs, who are back at it Saturday at 4 p.m. when they host the Kingston Frontenacs, went into the game with a five-point cushion at the top of the standings.