Knights primed to slay foes in OHL’s West
Attack, Storm are also ready to contend in tough Midwest
KITCHENER — There will be no shortage of top teams coming through the Aud this season.
Once again, the power in the Ontario Hockey League’s western conference appears to lie in the Midwest Division.
London, Owen Sound and Guelph are in all-in mode, or at least should be.
And the Kitchener Rangers will play about a third of its schedule against that trio of division rivals.
Saginaw should vie for a top four spot but the rest of the west is either young or rebuilding, which will make the race for the final four playoffs berths exciting.
Favourite: London Knights. For once, London is coming off a down season (fifth in west). But it was just a blip on the radar for the team many love to hate. The Knights could have four firstround NHL draft picks in their lineup this season. GM Mark Hunter also has a bevy of high picks to deal if the mood strikes.
Next in line: Owen Sound Attack. They have two legitimate threats to win the OHL scoring title and some serious up-andcomers. The crease is young and it will be tough to fill the void of some departing veteran defencemen, but the Attack head into the season as conference crown contenders.
Dark horse: Saginaw Spirit. A lot has to go right for Saginaw to surprise but make no mistake, this is a team on the rise. The Spirit is probably a year away but did add some intriguing pieces in the off-season. Anything less than a top four finish would be a disappointment.
Moving forward: Guelph
Storm. Seventh place — and two points out of eighth — was a massive underachievement for the Storm last season. The team was gunning for home ice advantage in the playoffs and should get it this time around. They better, or changes may be coming.
Falling back: Kitchener Rangers. The Blueshirts have some talented parts but there is no getting past the massive losses up and down the lineup. This should still be a playoff squad, but don’t expect home ice advantage.
Erie Otters
GM: Dave Brown
Coach: Chris Hartsburg
Last season: 23-35-7-3, ninth
Ice chips: F Ivan Lodnia (Minnesota Wild) was sent to Niagara for Danial Singer and a pick in the off-season. … Overage F Kyle Maksimovich likely the next to go as rebuild continues. … Russian F Gera Poddubnyi saw goal total (18) double in sophomore season. … Veteran D Josh Wainman gives young back end some stability. … Czech import Petr Cajka is one to watch.
Key loss: D Owen Headrick was third in scoring.
Fun fact: Only four players remain from 2017 OHL championship playoff roster.
Three words: Long season ahead.
Flint Firebirds
GM: Barclay Branch
Coach: Ryan Oulahen
Last season: 20-43-3-2, 10th
Ice chips: Standout forwards Ty Dellandrea (Dallas Stars) and Connor Roberts lead the offensive charge. … The ‘Birds dressed 13 first- or second-round OHL draft picks last season. … 2018 second-round pick D Owen Power has yet to sign with the club. … Add overage G Enamuel Vella from Mississauga via trade.
Key loss: D Jalen Smereck had 34 points in 46 games.
Fun fact: Gave up a league-high 70 power play goals last season.
Three words: ‘Birds being overlooked?
Guelph Storm
GM/coach: George Burnett Last season: 30-29-5-4, seventh Ice chips: F Isaac Ratcliffe (Philadelphia Flyers) eclipsed 40-goal mark but team needs another elite scorer to battle for west crown. … F Nate Schnarr (Arizona Coyotes) looking to build off point per game playoff performance. … Add OA D Jack Hanley from Cup winning Bulldogs. … Ten players invited to NHL camps . ... D Ryan Merkley (San Jose Sharks) a 90-point threat.
Key loss: D Garrett McFadden oozed leadership.
Fun fact: G Anthony Popovich faced an OHL high 1,998 shots.
Three words: Merkley makes season.
Kitchener Rangers
GM: Mike McKenzie
Coach: Jay McKee
Last season: 43-21-3-1, second
Ice chips: Big names moving on from every position. … Trio of Riley Damiani (Dallas Stars), Greg Meireles and Nick McHugh were lethal in playoffs. … G Luke Richardson the undisputed No. 1 guy in net. … Defence anchored by Connor Hall and potential first-round NHL draft pick Michael Vukojevic. … All eyes on Boston Bruins to see if D Axel Andersson reports.
Key loss: F Adam Mascherin had 110 goals over past three seasons.
Fun fact: Half of Joseph Garreffa’s 12 goals were game winners last season.
Three words: Scoring a concern.
London Knights
GM: Mark Hunter
Coach: Dale Hunter
Last season: 39-25-2-2, fifth
Ice chips: Success hinges on potential return of D Evan Bouchard (Edmonton Oilers) and F Alex Formenton (Ottawa Senators). … F Liam Foudy (Columbus Blue Jackets) had 33 of his 40 points in the second half of the season. … F Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators) would be a massive get if assigned to London. … Mark Hunter back as GM after four years with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Key loss: F Tyler Rollo is the best grad off a young Knights squad.
Fun fact: Last season’s firstround playoff exit was the first since 2011.
Three words: Ready to dominate.
Owen Sound Attack
GM: Dale DeGray
Coach: Todd Gill
Last season: 38-22-3-5, fourth
Ice chips: Nick Suzuki, Kevin Hancock, Maksim Sushko and Aidan Dudas are a fearsome foursome up front. … Goalie Olivier Lafreniere has moved on, leaving youngsters Mack Guzda, Nathan Torchia and Andrew MacLean in net. … Return of overage F Alan Lyszczarczyk an unexpected boost. … Addition of D Carter Roberton helps make up for loss of Jacob Friend.
Key loss: F Jonah Gadjovich was better than a point per game.
Fun fact: Have made playoffs the last eight consecutive years.
Three words: Early season darlings.
Saginaw Spirit
GM: Dave Drinkill
Coach: Troy Smith
Last season: 29-30-9-0, eighth
Ice chips: Got great value by adding OA F Albert Michnac from Missy for a fifth-round pick. … F Nick Porco looks ready for a sophomore surge. … F Bode Wilde (New York Islanders) was a University of Michigan commit. … Russian goalie Ivan Prosvetov (Arizona Coyotes) is another big addition.
Key loss: F Mason Kohn was a sparkplug up front.
Fun fact: Eleven players went to NHL camps.
Three words: Patience paying off.
Sarnia Sting
GM: Nick Sinclair
Coach: Derian Hatcher
Last season: 46-17-4-1, third
Ice chips: Import F Adam Ruzicka (Calgary Flames) boosted by playoff heroes Sean Josling, Ryan McGregor (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Hugo Leufvenius. … G Aidan Hughes has big shoes to fill with graduation of Justin Fazio. … F Jamieson Rees one of four OHLers to make Canada’s U18 squad. … Team may need to trade some stars to replenish draft pick reserve.
Key loss: F Jordan Kyrou had
109 points.
Fun fact: Boasted league’s top penalty kill at 88.5 per cent last season.
Three words: Roster remake time.
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
GM: Kyle Raftis
Coach: John Dean
Last season: 55-7-3-3, first
Ice chips: Reigning coach of the year Drew Bannister now with AHL’s San Antonio Rampage. … New bench additions include Jordan Smith (associate coach) and Jamie Tardif (assistant). … G Matthew Villalta (Los Angeles Kings) owns second best save percentage in the OHL over the past two years (. 912). … F Morgan Frost (Philadelphia Flyers) will be a target for contending teams.
Key loss: F Boris Katchouk potted 42 goals.
Fun fact: The ‘Hounds won 27 games in a row at home last season.
Three words: Sell or compete?
Windsor Spitfires
GM: Warren Rychel
Coach: Trevor Letowski
Last season: 32-30-4-2, sixth
Ice chips: One of the youngest teams in the OHL. … Finnish G Kari Piiroinen joins a crease that already includes stud Michael DiPietro (Vancouver Canucks). … Not one player surpassed 50 points last season. … Acquisition of D Sean Allen from Oshawa adds some grit in the back end. … Team has five first-round OHL draft picks on roster.
Key loss: F Jake Smith’s 48 points were second best.
Fun fact: Spits had a league-low 193 power plays last year.
Three words: Something special brewing.
How they finish: London, Owen Sound, Guelph, Saginaw, Windsor, Kitchener, Sault Ste. Marie, Flint, Sarnia, Erie.