Sugar Kings acquire three new players in advance of 2017-18 season

THE ELMIRA SUGAR KINGS is getting some new blood on the ice this season with the acquisition last week of three players from the Ontario Junior Hockey League. Bailey Mollela, 19, who’s coming from the Orangeville Flyers; Ethan Wiseman, also 19, from the North York Rangers; and Ryan Takamatsu, 20, of the Georgetown Raiders.

“They’ve got few years of junior experience under their belt, and all three of them are high-end forwards that will really help with our top end and give us some great depth next season,” said team general manager Kevin Bloch.

“All three of them have played for winning teams. They’re all winners, they’re all quality kids. We scouted them and watched them play games, and we liked the style of game they play,” he said. “So that’s how we figure out which ones are the right ones. We want the right type of kid, and the right type of player.”

And Bloch is definitely confident that he has the right players for the team.

“They’re guys that will be able to play in all situations. They’re experienced, they’ve all played play-off hockey before,” he said. “We’re probably going to have four very good lines this season.”

Mollela is a 5’11”, 181 lbs center who shoots left. A rightie, Wiseman plays right wing. He’s listed at 6’1” and 183 lbs. At 6’ and 170 lbs, Takamatsu is a center who shoots right.

The new players will be getting on the ice by the end of August for the start of the Sugar Kings’ training camp.