Larionov leaving Spitfires
Well-liked veteran’s departure opens the door for rookies
1 Going ‘home’ to USHL
A heavy roster got a little thinner for the Windsor Spitfires on Wednesday when overage centre Igor Larionov opted to leave the team.
The 20-year-old Larionov, who is the son of the former Detroit Red Wings standout of the same name, requested his release from the team in order to finish his junior career in the United States. “He just wanted to go home and play just in the USHL,” Spitfires general manager Warren Rychel said of the United States Hockey League.
Larionov spoke with Rychel on Wednesday on the eve of the team’s scheduled game against the Barrie Colts at the WFCU Centre. Game time is 7:05 p.m.
“I have nothing but respect for the Windsor Spitfires’ organization and their staff,” said Larionov, who still has pro hockey aspirations. “Sometimes, tough decisions have to be made in sports and I believe that’s the best move for me to further my career.
“I loved my time in Windsor and would always recommend people to come play for the Spits. I just had to do what’s best for me and that was to continue my career in the States.”
Larionov was a camp invite by the Spitfires in 2017-18 after playing the previous season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Injuries limited him to just 32 games with the Spitfires last season, but the 23 points he produced were enough for the club to offer him an overage spot. Larionov missed one game this season due to illness, but had produced just two assists in eight games.
“He was a very serviceable player for us that we got for free and we wish him well,” Rychel said. “You lose a character kid like Igor, but it opens things up for (rookies Jordan) Frasca and (Kyle) McDonald.” Windsor now has an open overage spot, but Rychel said he’s in no rush to fill it.
2 DiPietro gets the call
To the surprise of no one, Spitfires goalie Mike DiPietro was selected to play for the Ontario Hockey League at the CIBC Canada-Russia Series game in Sarnia on Nov. 8.
“This year’s game is closer to home and I can have family in the stands,” said DiPietro, who played for the OHL in Sudbury a year ago. However, the Vancouver Canucks prospect’s bigger goal is to get another shot at making the world junior team in December. “For me, it’s time to solidify myself and start playing some good hockey, and show not only in (the Canada-Russia Series), but Canada that I want to be at the world juniors,” DiPietro said.
3 Under-17 showcase
While the Spitfires have carried three extra players in recent weeks, things could get tight in a few weeks.
Rookie forwards Will Cuylle and Jean-Luc Foudy were among 66 players named by Hockey Canada to compete at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, set for Nov. 3-10 in New Brunswick. Tecumseh’s Matthew Maggio, who plays for the Ottawa 67’s, and Ty Tullio, who plays for the Oshawa Generals, were also named to the team.
“I’m happy for our two guys,” Rychel said. “It’s good, but I’m a little disappointed (Kyle) McDonald didn’t make it. He had a great camp in Calgary and has a lot of promise, but he’ll get a chance to play here more.”
4 Foudy returns
Foudy was back at practice on Wednesday after being given a few days off to go home and attend the funeral of his grandfather. Windsor’s top pick in April’s OHL Draft, Foudy — who is tied for third in rookie scoring — was informed of his grandfather’s death on Sunday, but opted to play and had two assists in the team’s 5-2 win over Kingston.
5 Special teams
After allowing a power play goal in three straight games, Windsor’s top-ranked penalty killing unit has slipped to third in the league with an 88.6 per cent success rate. Meanwhile, the team’s power play unit has scored in back-toback games to inch up in the rankings from 18th among 20 teams to 15th in the league.