Flint gives a hint
It was my first opportunity of the 2016-2017 season to watch the Flint Firebirds live and the upstart Ontario Hockey League team lived up to well-followed expectations.
Playing a solid road game on Friday night, the Firebirds were full marks for a 4-3 overtime decision over the Soo Greyhounds.
After missing the Western Conference playoffs in 2015-2016, Flint is off to a 6-4-1 start to the 2016-2017 season.
There are a few obvious things about the Firebirds.
They are well put together by general manager George Burnett and his staff.
They are well coached by Ryan Oulahen and his staff.
The Firebirds appear to be solid playoff contenders in a Western Conference that is stronger than the Eastern Conference.
The defense is seasoned and solid led by overagers Mathieu Henderson and Alex Peters.
The forward lines have experienced depth led by overager Everett Clark and fellow seasoned skaters Ryan Moore, Kole Sherwood, Luke Kirwan, Nick Caamano et al.
There are rookies who play key minutes led by defenceman Dennis Busby and forward Ty Dellandrea.
It’s a team to be impressed with and a team with good direction.
Ryan Moore is legitimate. In his youth hockey he was always at the top of the scoring leaders. He’s doing it now at a great time for him and the Firebirds. NHL scouts need to take note.
How much stronger would Flint have been if they could have kept Bitten.