OWEN SOUND ATTACK
The bench: Ex-Leafs D Todd Gill, Kingston coach for three years (2011-14), takes over for coach of the year Ryan McGill, who became a Vegas Golden Knights assistant. Last year: 49-15-2-2 102 points, third in West; lost conference final to Erie in 6.
Big names: Nick Suzuki (Golden Knights) is 50 goals and 120 points waiting to happen . . . Kevin Hancock became a scoring star last season with 30 goals. The sky’s the limit this season alongside Suzuki . . . Big Jonah Gadjovich (Canucks) went hard to the net for nearly all of his 46 goals. He’s hard to slow down. Big stat: The Attack roared up the standings last year with a 15-game winning streak. Another would help Gill really settle in.
Prediction: If they get any kind of goaltending, they’re first overall.
SOO GREYHOUNDS
The bench: Coach Drew Bannister (third year) was a Greyhound for four seasons (1990-94).
Last year: 48-16-3-1 100 points, second in West; lost to Owen Sound in second round in 6.
Big names: Boris Katchouk (Lightning) will lead the Soo in scoring. He’s pretty good at getting under opponents skin too . . . Conor Timmins (Avalanche) helps feed the Hounds swift-moving offence from the back . . . The penalty kill accounted for a franchise-best 22 shorthanded goals last year. They would love to do something like that again . . . Jack Kopacka (Ducks) scored 20 goals two years ago and 30 last season. Hey, how about 40 now?
Big stat: They’ve won at least 44 games and their division three of last four years, but are still looking for a trip to the final and return to the glory days of the early ‘90s. Prediction: Second — they’re the class of the West Division again.
LONDON KNIGHTS
The bench: Dale Hunter starts 17th season as coach. The team hasn’t missed the playoffs under Hunter. Last year: 46-15-3-4 99 points, fourth in West; lost to Erie in second round seventh-game OT.
Big names: Only three players — Victor Mete (Canadiens), Cliff Pu (Sabres), Robert Thomas (Blues) — left from regular duty on ‘16. Memorial Cup squad . . . Swede Jesper Bratt (Devils) is quick enough to light it up . . . D-man Evan Bouchard and centre Liam Foudy are on track for big NHL draft seasons.
Big stat: They’ve had a top-three power play the past five years. Don’t expect different.
Prediction: A contender again, just don’t bank on huge deadline-day deals to load up.
KITCHENER RANGERS
The bench: Jay McKee (2nd year) is team’s fourth coach in six seasons. Last year: 36-27-3-2 77 points, sixth in West; lost in first round to Owen Sound in 5.
Big names: Panthers pick Adam Mascherin (35-65-100) has the shot to score 50 . . . Huge D-man Logan Stanley (Jets) was an anchor on Windsor’s Memorial Cup winner . . . Connor Bunnaman (Flyers) led team with 37 well-earned goals last year. He’ll go to the net for another 40-plus . . . Greg Meireles (17-25-42) will be one of the top scorers.
Big stat: Pint-sized Joseph Garreffa is exciting with the puck, but it’s time for him to produce more than a point per game.
Prediction: An upper-tier squad, just don’t see them getting past the top three.
SARNIA STING
The bench: Recently retired David Legwand is helping Derian Hatcher coach this year.
Last year: 31-30-6-1 69 points, eighth in West; swept by Erie in first round.
Big names: Jordan Kyrou (Blues) had 30 goals and 94 points last year. So he should cruise over 100 . . . Adam Ruzicka (Flames) scored 25 in his first OHL season. He has enough weapons around him including Anthony Salinitri (Flyers) to bump that up . . . Over-age goalie Justin Fazio can be one of the better stoppers in the league. If he’s the Sting’s best player most nights, that’s a good sign.
Big stat: Centre Drake Rymsha (Kings) struck for 20 goals in 28 games after trade from Ottawa. Prediction: Fifth. Hatcher wants to challenge for the division title. Smart, because it’ll be hard to survive the first round without one.
FLINT FIREBIRDS
The bench: Ryan Oulahen back for a second season as coach.
Last year: 32-28-3-5 72 points, sventh in West; lost in first round to the Soo in 5.
Big names: Ryan Moore (39-51-90) still has 35-goal gunner Nicholas Caamano (Stars) to work with. So he could be a top-five scorer as an over-ager . . . Ty Dellandrea is fun to