Writer’s selection: OHL optics
A writer’s selection of observations and opinions as they pertain to the upcoming 2016-2017 Ontario Hockey League season.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Methinks that Sault Ste. Marie products Darian Pilon and Drake Pilon are going to prove to be royal pains to their hometown Soo Greyhounds. The 1998 birth-year buzzers, who signed with the Sudbury Wolves as rookie free agents, are pesky forwards who are relentless in their pursuit of the puck. What they lack in size, the twin brothers more than make up for in heart, hustle and saucy sizzle. The Soo’s loss will be Sudbury’s gain.
BENCH STRENGTH
I can’t think of an OHL team with better bench depth than the Kitchener Rangers. As in strength behind the bench. Not only does Kitchener boast new head coach Jay McKee, who served a successful apprenticeship with both the Rangers and the Erie Otters, but new associate associate coach Jason Fortier is fresh from a Memorial Cup championship game appearance as an assistant with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League. And the Rangers also have another newcomer behind the bench in former National Hockey League pest Matthew Barnaby. If that is not enough, Mike McKenzie is also part of the Rangers staff as a holdover assistant coach/assistant general manager.
FRESH IN FLINT
Much has been written — thousands of words on this website alone — about the new-look Flint Firebirds beginning a new chapter in just their second season in mid Michigan. And let us say again that there is a lot to like about the future of the OHL in Flint from the refurbished facility that the Firebirds play out of to the hiring of the experienced, respectable George Burnett as the new general manager and up-and-comer Ryan Oulahen as the new head coach. Most OHL insiders and pundits are picking Flint to again miss the playoffs this season. And given the strength of the Western Conference and lack of overall depth in Flint, the Firebirds could well end up in last place for a second successive season. But Burnett has a plan and years of OHL coaching and management success to draw from. I see good days ahead in Flint.
HOUND POWER
Soo Greyhounds head coach Drew Bannister has a simple but challenging goal for his team. “As a team we are a year older so I expect us to be a year better,” said Bannister, the 1993 Memorial Cup championship defenseman who begins his second season as the Greyhounds bench boss. The Greyhounds had a winning record in finishing seventh in the 10-team Western Conference in 2015-2016 before pulling the upset of the OHL playoffs when they stunned the second-seeded Sarnia Sting in the first round. To be sure, with 20 returnees — including multiple National Hockey League draft picks — it is conceivable and expectant that the Greyhounds will be better this season.
Really surprised Will Bitten hasn’t been traded yet. Chances are he’ll end up in the AHL playing for St. Johns if he doesn’t get traded.
Huh?
Bitten can’t play in the AHL he is too young just drafted this year. A player drafted from the OHL is not eligible to play in the AHL until they turn 20. So he would have to either make Canadiens or continue to wait on a trade from Flint. If he really wants to play he could also just take back his trade request.
It’s either Canadiens or back to Flint. Bitten is too young for the AHL. Players drafted from CHL have to wait till they are 20 too play in the AHL.
Wolves should try to acquire him. Could really solidly that top 6. He wants to continue his secondary studies in French, so that basically narrows it down to here or Ottawa. Let’s deal some of those vast amount of picks acquired and really give this young group a chance to crack the top half of the conference!
Also anybody know who the captain of wolves will be ? Haven’t seen anything announced. I vote Pezetta or Capo. Thoughts?
Love the site btw. Great job Randy ! First time contributor .
Thank you, Mike R.
Regards,
Randy
CAPOBIANCO should wear the Captain jersey imho.
OHL has a bunch of overarrated players that had their way bought into the league. IN MY OPINION. People from the outside have no idea what goes on behind the scenes with these scouts and so forth. It really is sad but I guess that is how it goes. Nice to see free agents making teams over the highly rated drafted kids. Goes to show you that maybe those free agents should have been drafted in the first place!!!!!!! Blah, Blah