Sharks long in tooth going into home opener

But older, wiser roster also has ‘some great young forwards,’ says head coach

With a roster that is older and wiser, the Wheatley Sharks have high hopes for this season.

Wheatley plays its home opener in the Bills Stobbs Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League on Monday against the Blenheim Blades at the Wheatley Area Arena. Game time is 7 p.m.

“We’re filled with a bunch of ’96 (born) and ’97 guys,” Sharks captain Ryan Zsebok said. “We’re filled with older guys on defence and forward.

“We lost a couple of key players from last year, but this year looks strong at forward and defence. Hopefully, we can be in the top three and make a run in the playoffs.”

The Sharks last reached the final in 2013, but head coach Dave Wiper, who is entering his third season, believes this is his best group to date. “When I took over a couple years ago, it was a struggle, but every year we seem to be improving on the quality of kids we’re bringing in,” Wiper said. “This year, it’s looking like the best year we’ve had the last three years.

“I thought we were fast last year and we’ve gotten faster. Our speed is going to be our forte this year and again, the group of kids we have, are genuine. The ones we’ve picked up are fitting right in with core group.”

Daniel Tonietto, who came over from Amherstburg last season, returns and will battle Dylan Zelko, who spent time with Essex, for playing time.

“There’s no No. 1 here,” Wiper said. “They’re just going to play every other night until someone takes over the job.”

Defensively, the Sharks return five players in Antonio Ciampa, Mitch Lantin, Alex Mosher, Ben Nichols and Curtis Rodrigues and added youngsters Cameron Cronheimer and Parker Hammond.

“We’re very happy with our back end,” Wiper said.

Delaney MacDonald, who led the team in scoring last season, returns up front along with Cole Butler, Justin Pinsonneault, Cam Pickersgill, Zsebok, Jake Pickersgill

and Kyle Gagnon.

“We’re expecting Butler, MacDonald, Gagnon and Cam and Jake will be relied on heavily for our offence,” Wiper said.

The club will also break in young forwards Steve MacDonald, Dawson Isles, Matt Carvalho, Drew Denomey, Dylan Enns, who returns after missing two seasons with a concussion, Nick Tetreault, who was an affiliate player with Blenheim last season, and Parker Boyle, who spent time with Lakeshore last season. “We picked up some great young forwards,” Wiper said.

A 2-7 stretch in December and early January kept the Sharks from competing finishing over .500 and moving up in the standings and the club is looking to avoid that kind of slump this season.

“We’re looking for good things this year,” Zsebok said. “We have a lot of great energy and I’m really excited for the first home game. ”