Hounds well-served by youth
This is a transition season for the Soo Greyhounds from which they are expected to return to Ontario Hockey League contender status in 2016-2017.
After loading up for what was supposed to be an OHL championship and Memorial Cup berth in 2014-2015 only to be upset in stunning fashion by the Erie Otters in the Western Conference finals, the Greyhounds are currently a .500 team in 2015-2016 with a realistic goal of making the playoffs.
And with the majority of their players born in 1997, 1998 and 1999 and for the most part playing regular or top-end roles this 2015-2016 season, the Hounds have positioned themselves to be an upper-level team again in 2016-2017.
High-scoring, 1997 birth-year forwards Zachary Senyshyn and Blake Speers — who have already been drafted into the National Hockey League — both have at least another season of OHL eligibility remaining after this season.
So too does 1997 birth-year defenseman Colton White, who is also an NHL draft pick.
Then there are a trio of 1998 birth-year forwards who have been chosen to compete in the upcoming Canadian Hockey League/National Hockey League “Top Prospects Game.”
To be sure, Greyhound wingers Tim Gettinger, Boris Katchouk and Jack Kopacka have all been selected to compete in the annual match which features 40 players who are eligible for this year’s, 2016 NHL draft.
The “Top Prospects Game” is slated to be played on January 28 in Vancouver.
Of the 40 CHL prospects who will play in the match, 20 are from the OHL, including the Greyhound troika of Gettinger, Katchouk and Kopacka.
Even an a short playoff series vs one of the Western Conference powerhouses should be considered a win, win for the organization! Those young players you alluded to will garner valuable playoff experience ,that has to be beneficial to the franchise going forward in the following years. The baby steps this year will serve them well, bank on it. With GUELPH struggling this year, albeit improving and the Flint Firebirds are the only stumbling block to a playoff appearance. Saginaw moving Sadoway opens the door for the young Hounds moving up a Conference spot, albeit not likely to grab home ice in the first round! Regardless another year of playoffs awaits the Soo faithful!
You still have to have good drafts or it’ll be transition year after transition year. Every team will have a transition or rebuilding year (except London ) but making the playoffs every year is essential. OHL is big business and if you only build mediocracy, your attendance will be mediocre as well…