Attack has “next-level” players
Suffice to say that Denny Lambert should know a good hockey player when he sees one.
Afterall, not only did the 44-year old Lambert play in more than 500 National Hockey League games as a journeyman left winger, he coached in the Ontario Hockey League with the Soo Greyhounds for eight seasons — five as a top assistant and three more as the headmaster.
Thus, when Lambert — who now coaches the Batchewana Attack of the Canadian International Hockey League in addition to working full-time as an emergency response officer at Essar Steel — says a certain player can play at a higher level, we should take his word for it.
The Attack, which sits atop the standings of the new, four-team CIHL, features a number of younger players with 1998 and 1997 birth dates.
One of the 1998s, big defenceman Adam Baggs, has already been drafted into the OHL as a 10th-round pick of the Niagara Ice Dogs in 2014.
Lambert is of the notion that not only does Baggs have what it takes to play in the OHL but that he would be a good prospect should he decide to pursue a Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association commitment.
Two other 16-year olds on the Attack who were born in 1998 are twin-brother forwards Darian Pilon and Drake Pilon.
Lambert had startling words to say when asked about the high-scoring, high-energy Pilon brothers.
“They could play in the OHL right now as 16-year olds,” Lambert said evenly. “They would be fourth-line, in-and-out-of-the-lineup guys but there is no doubt in my mind that they can play in the OHL right now — and a couple of years down the road as 18-or-19-year olds they would be top three-line players in the O.”
The Pilon brothers played at the AA midget level in Sault Ste. Marie last season and were not rated or selected at the 2014 OHL draft.
“I would like to know how the OHL scouts missed the Pilon boys,” added Lambert. “I guess the scouts don’t bother checking out kids who don’t play AAA.”
Lambert himself knows what it’s like to not be drafted. He was never drafted into the OHL but played three full seasons with the Greyhounds and he was never drafted into the NHL but played 500-plus games at hockey’s highest level.
Another member of the Attack who Lambert refers to as a “next-level player” is 1997 birth-year forward Jacob Palmerio.
Like the Pilons, Palmerio is on the smaller side though all three players are good, strong skaters with skill who are — in the words of Lambert — “hard to play against.”
Palmerio, according to Lambert, has the skill set and ability to play at the Division 1, NCAA level.
“I would like to see Jake have the opportunity to move up and play for a higher-level junior team like the Soo Eagles (of the North American Hockey League),” Lambert said of Palmerio. “This is a kid that the (Lake Superior State University) Lakers should be taking a very-close look at, in my opinion.
“Looking ahead, I hope to see someone from the Lakers coaching staff at our games,” said Lambert. “I really believe they would like what they see.”
As for the level of play in the first-year CIHL, Lambert opined that “it is a lot better now that some of the weaker teams have decided to leave and play on their own.
“You look at our games now, especially against Espanola and Kalkaska. The level of play has really improved. As a coach, it’s made me have to make more in-game adjustments and with better competition on a nightly basis, the players have had to elevate their game,” Lambert opined. “Our practices have become even-more intense than they were before.”
Interestingly, like Batchewana, Espanola and Kalkaska are also coached by long-time former NHL players.
Tommy McCarthy coaches the Rivermen and Krzysztof Oliwa is the Rhinos bench boss.
Between Lambert, McCarthy and Oliwa, the trio played in close to 1,500 NHL games.
The Pilon brothers are good but they are 97 birth year players and not 98
HNN fan,
No, you are incorrect. The Pilons — as stated in my column — are born in 1998, not 1997.
Regards,
RR
You are correct as usual Randy. The Pilon’s exact birthday is October 2, 1998.
Thanks, Tari.
Their profiles state that they are born November 30th 1997
HNN fan,
And their mother — Tari — just stated that they were born on October 2, 1998. I think she should know.
The Laker coaches could see Palmerio play the same time they take a look at Baggs (and the Pilons also, if they have NCAA aspirations). Despite the closeness of the the Lakers to the Batchewana home games, their coaches are very limited to how often they can go see a potential recruit play. I’m unsure of the exact number, but it’s something like only 3 times (maybe as many as 5?).
Why are you so rude Randy? I was just stating what I saw!
Name just changed to Ex-HNN fan!
Thanks Randy
HNN fan,
I was just stating the facts to you — as in the Pilons were born in 1998 as per my column and as per their mother. If you find that to be rude, so be it.
To EX-HNN fan,
Your name change is noted.
Great article Randy!
Denny ur 100 % bang on!
Randy this is a very informative article it is good to see that these boys can make a go of it in DIV 1 or the OHL. It is to bad the league split into 2 factions because I do know that the teams in the south have gotten stronger as well I hope that the Sudbury team improves with the combination of Markstay-Warren and Sudbury. Keep the good articles coming thanks again Shawn
LOL … No prob Randy! keep the news coming..
Just a little humor! Cheers
Ex-HNN fan and (back again) HNN fan,
Cheers to you two, too.
it is a pleasure to watch J. Palmerio skate………fast like a bolt of lightning and not afraid to go in the corners…….the entire team is great, they will go far this season for sure with Denny at the helm.
Are there any games this weekend? Is the CIHL website schedule accurate?
this team is exciting to watch. I appreciate all the hard working kids on the team and see the some really good hockey playing and Jacob Palmerio has the heart and instincts of a great player
Cade Nolan…I’m surprised by the lack of commentary concerning Cade Nolan. Admittedly, I have only been to two Attack games and have otherwise limited exposure except for the articles on this website. Both games I attended Nolan stood out as a smooth skating, agility-filled, heads-up defenseman. I noted to myself he probably had the highest hockey intelligence on the ice to include anticipating the development of plays, played well with the puck, and knew how to play without it. I never saw any defensive lapses, passes were tape to tape, he was responsible in his own end; and I observed a couple rushes that displayed an offensive upside. RR you are the HNN scout, but it seems to me this kid is a quiet player who has the game to play at the DIV 1 NCAA level. Hopefully the LSSU scouts are watching him as well.
We enjoyed the Attack game(s) and took the whole family. RR – Really enjoy your HNN.