Saginaw shows strength
The fact that the Saginaw Spirit has opted to allow three veteran skaters the opportunity to seek Ontario Hockey League employment elsewhere reads as a sign of strength for the looming Western Conference contenders.
With no less than 12 holdover forwards and the off-season acquisition of overage left winger Albert Michnac from the Mississauga Steelheads, Saginaw basically had no room for would-be returnees Kyle Bollers and Ben Badalamenti up front.
And with six returning defenseman plus the recent signing of Bode Wilde, a second round pick of the New York Islanders at the 2018 National Hockey League draft, Saginaw decided to let go of veteran blue-liner Brock Hill.
As forwards, Bollers played in 119 games for Saginaw over two full seasons while Badalamenti suited up for 34 contests as a rookie with the Spirit in 2017-2018.
And Hill played in 69 games over parts of two seasons on the Saginaw defense.
Bollers and Hill have 1999 birth dates while Badalamenti was born in 2000.
Bollers and Hill have been invited to the London Knights training camp and Badalamenti will get a similar opportunity with the Kitchener Rangers.
Saginaw has retained the OHL rights to all three players pending any possible transactions.
The Spirit/Centennials may finally shake the Curse of Bert