Hounds win, fans whine
They are winning. They are a contender. They are an Ontario Hockey League overachiever, these Soo Greyhounds.
Near the top of the Western Conference and in a seeding race with the powerhouses that are the Erie Otters and London Knights, the Greyhounds are riding high with 85 points from a record of 41-15-3.
But for whatever reason, the Greyhounds are not as popular with their fans as they have been.
Attendance is down. And grumbling is up.
There are a lot of complaints about this edition of the Greyhounds despite their lofty standing.
They are boring and uninspiring.
The coaching staff is dull and lacks passion.
General manager Kyle Raftis should have more of a presence around town.
Scoring sensation Zachary Senyshyn has bad body language.
Captain Blake Speers is not a team player.
Veteran defenseman Noah Carroll, acquired from the Guelph Storm, is average at best.
The Greyhounds should never have traded overage defender Medric Mercier, who is having a splendid 20-goal season with the Oshawa Generals.
The Greyhounds will never win in the playoffs with Joseph Raaymakers as the starting goalie.
Even the Shaw Cable television broadcasts have come under fire from some Greyhound fans, many of whom have an intense dislike for the annoying commentator with the real estate license.
So many complaints about this Greyhound outfit.
Some are justified. Others are personal. But all are being voiced with repeat displeasure.
I cannot recall a Greyhound team with such a good record that has been the subject of so much fan apathy.
Why that is, I am not sure.
For one, there is very-little media negativity surrounding the Greyhounds.
Day-to-day beat reporters such as Peter Ruicci and Brad Coccimiglio are way more upbeat than negative. Both cover the team like a blanket complete with plenty of sidebar information to satisfy the appetite of even the most news-hungry Hounds fan.
But still the fan negativity comes pouring down on this Greyhound team.
Such as:
– The only coach more boring than Drew Bannister is Joe Cirella.
– It’s obvious that Senyshyn and Speers don’t like one another.
– If Raaymakers wasn’t a former second-round pick he would have been gone by now.
– The Hounds need more players like Morgan Frost.
– The Hounds need to draft more local kids.
– Why is Owen Headrick playing defense for Erie and not the Greyhounds?
– Why are Darian Pilon and Drake Pilon rookie forwards of passion and fire with the Sudbury Wolves and not the Greyhounds?
– How did defenseman Nolan Makkonen end up with the Guelph Storm and not the Greyhounds?
I must admit that I ask the same questions. Like, it makes me wonder how the Greyhounds local scout missed out on Headrick (14th round to Erie), the Pilons (undrafted and signed by Sudbury as free agents) and Makkonen (ninth round to Guelph.)
And while we are it, how did the Greyhounds miss out on another un-drafted local, goalie Mario Culina? Culina is doing just fine as a capable backup goalie with the Windsor Spitfires.
On and on it goes, the negative chat about this Greyhound team.
I would say that the fans should be embracing this Greyhound team. But I have to admit that there is something about this team that is unappealing.
For the record, I like Bannister as a coach. He’s also an okay guy who is easy to talk to, kind of a cross between former Hound coaches Craig Hartsburg and Denny Lambert.
But when the fans complain about this edition of the Hounds, I find that I don’t have a retort.
Oh well.
At the risk of saying “it is what it is” — it really is what it is.
Boy, you really covered everything with this list.
Oh, except for one….THE BORING and UNINSPIRING FANS !
The crowds are DEAD this year.
What am I missing………is there somewhere better than 1ST place in our division ???
Remember a few years ago when you heard “JEWS…..JEWS….JEWS….” after our goalie Gajewski made great saves…….what a boost for him.
The last several goalies have rarely heard such applause.
I’m sure Joseph would love to hear “Ramo……Ramo….Ramo…” some night.
I tried to get a “HALVIE” cheer going last year, and couldn’t get any help in Sec. 120.
How about some loud appreciative cheers after a strong shift for the players as they come back to their bench.
And, talk about boring, don’t get me started on the Greyhounds Marketing…….., boy, do they need some fresh ideas during the games.
Great article again, Randy.
I really agree with this. I took a buddy of mine to his first Hounds game when they beat out North Bay 5-2 and I am a very excitable person when my team scores, jump out of my seat, double fist pounding the air. But the lack of energy just almost makes you feel bad when you react above the rest of the crowd, and its hard to get into the play when they energy in the arena is dead. Attempts to get cheers going are more often then not met with judgemental looks and annoyance than support. I think people need to stop being so bitter and judgemental about this coach’s whatever and that player being whatever and focus on the fact at the end of the day, we have a great team that is winning games and they need their fans in their corner. We need to cheer like them on like that group of 30 or so people cheering on the Rangers a few games ago. They deserve it.
I’ve traveled across the river a few time this year to catch some Hounds action. I really do like the team, but with my work schedule & being on call it makes it hard to get over as much as I’d like to.
I’m the same way though. You want to get up and cheer. Clap when saves are made or they manage to kill a penalty or send the puck down the ice on the PK, but it’s so quiet in the Essar that it feels weird.
Whine and cheese
Well Randy Russon great article. Your right on every aspect. But here is the thing. Soo fans expect nothing but the best. Our fans are hard on the players. Now with saying that we have seen what this team can do. We own London went 50/50 with Erie. When these kids wanna play they honestly can’t be beat. In my opinion with some of lazy hockey we have seen since Christmas I think the fans are worried. With the likes of Owen Sound London and Erie looking very strong it brings fear the we may go out early. I got a feeling with the Windsor game this week and London the last game it’s going to be a real test for where our kids wanna stand. If we get going look out. The old slogan has to come back. WE CAN’T BE BEAT WE WON’T BE BEAT. #1 thing reach the knock the damn Otters out and get some massive payback !!!! The players have there own destiny in the hands. #THISISOURTIME
The fans expect the players to give them nothing but the best yet 80% sit there with their arms crossed the whole game with scowls on their faces, telling people to be quiet etc. People say it’s a passionate fan base, yet half the people in the arena don’t even know the game. A hound player will fall over the blue line with no opposition in sight and half the arena starts yelling omg that’s tripping !! I don’t know how to fix it I suppose trying to get the younger fans into the game and trying to teach real passion and support is a start…. Maybe then we could bring in a new generation of fans who actually cheer, make noise and celebrate the hounds.
I just returned from a trip to Brookings South Dakota and took in a NAHL game while I was out West . To my surprise the crowd was large and very energized for a regular season game. I looked around the rink and seen a lot of college kids that were having fun and truely into the game, almost completely opposite from what I am used to and thought to myself, maybe us Northerners take this great game for granted sometimes …
Personally I don’t get why fans here are so critical of this team! We should be the envy of many of the Jr teams in our league! What an incredible history! Alumni throughout the NHL! Alumni in the HHOF! Other prominent players who have worn the Soo Greyhound logo have had prominent careers in the NHL! We have one of the most recognizable logos in hockey! The present team has already amassed over 40 wins in the season and not to mention, hit this lofty mark 3 of the last 4 seasons! We have a roster full of NHL draft picks that we will see in the coming years on a regular basis in the “show”! Speers, Katchouk, Senyshyn,Kopacka, White, to mentions few! NHL scouts already have their sights on Villalta, Timmins, Frost in this year’s draft! I f people want entertainment, they need to get down to the Essar! Again, what do people want?????
Sault are not a True Hockey Town with so many brutal fan’s.
Best article this year Coach! Welcome back Kotter!
I was apart of one of the worst Greyhound teams during my rookie season in 85/86. 14 win season. I dont ever remember fans booing. Not sure what has happenned to the culture up there but seems to me culture and tradition and pride has disappeared
Everyone likes a pat on the back for a job well done. Maybe some of the whining, criticizing fans/writers should unlock their arms and applaud once in a while. Some fans must, after every single game, make a negative remark, or roll their eyes, or sigh, no matter how great the game. If you’re just too tired to be enthusiastic at a hockey game, stay home and wallow in your negativity. The real fans will be fine without you!
I disargee the games are exciting the last couple I’ve been to havw been great games get family event
Steve, I remember you very well and that season! Loved your smooth skating style and ability to head-man the puck! Your head was always up and looking to make that lead pass to the likes of Oliverio, Bonar, Currie,Hollett and others!
Putting a finger on the reason for changes is hard to do but I think with so much analysis available through the various electronic mediums, people (fans) are instant experts or perceive themselves as such! As a fan that has been there from the onset , I still enjoy the exuberance of first goals, the raw emotions displayed on the ice! Mistakes are what makes the game the game! One team makes them the other capitalizes! I don’t go to hockey to watch robots! People are so critical yet they’ve never played or coached!
As for the arena culture, part of the problem is the arena staff that stifles outward displays of fandom! I have had issues with my flag waving so many times! My respect for my fellow fans is never compromised at my attempts to rally the crowd and and instil emotion! It only takes one fan to complain and they seem to respond to that individual .In turn others just sit on their hands as they are afraid to be demonstrative! It’s sad but as you said the culture has changed!
To be fair.. 3 years ago The Greyhounds loaded up at the trade deadline and still fell to the Otters in the Western Conference finals. So I can’t really blame him for not loading up.. To those who are negative towards Raftis and Bannister, i don’t understand why, because they have effectively replaced Dubas and Keefe and continued what they started. Bannister took a last place team in October 2015 to upsetting the 2nd seed Sarnia Sting in last year’s playoffs. All trades Raftis has made have been necessary to the improvement of the team. As for the fans… Yeah, that is a problem, even with the economy in this town, the Essar should be packed every night. I also love the fans that yell “Shoot!” when the Hounds defencemen have the puck on the point with NO LANE TO THE NET whatsoever. Brutal. Learn the point of a power play and puck movement and not just firing it into shin pads.
I think your comments re: undrafted local players is a bit harsh. First of all, 29 other teams passed on these guys as well. Many players do not develop until after their draft year, hence why some go in the later rounds. I think people should honestly be happy you have an OHL team to cheer for. I can remember when the team almost left.
As long as I can remember, it seems many people enjoy the negative surrounding this team. They are kids after all. Let them play, develop as young men both on and off the ice and hopefully develop to their potential. If you do not like them perhaps tuning out is a good idea.
19, not 29 teams.
Great comment, Ted.
I’m tired of hearing how the Hounds missed out on some “local” players during
draft times.
People forget…….we ARE competing against ALL the other teams in the league.
Every team tries each year to fill their particular needs, and drafts accordingly.
We haved chosen local kids may times over the years, but we can’t pick them all.
I’m sure fans in Sudbury and North Bay would love to have a team like the Hounds this year.
North Bay fans were in awe of the Soo team when they rallied for a win over the Troops the last time they visited, scoring five straight for a 7-4 victory at the Gardens. But the North Bay fans still manage a few cheers to urge on the Troops despite a losing season, a dozen injuries and one eye on next season already. Fans can help in the playoffs, hope the Greyhounds get support in the post-season.
“The Greyhounds should never have traded overage defender Medric Mercier, who is having a splendid 20-goal season with the Oshawa Generals.”
Yeah he can score but a nightmare defensively,
If SSM kept Mercier they would say we should of traded him, some fans are never happy.
I call the Essar Centre the library. But let’s state the obvious: the Sault’s population is getting older, much older. And that’s reflected in the fan base. They can barely put their hands together to enthusiastically clap for a positive play much less jump up to celebrate a goal. And it’s always been a whiny fan base. The home team gets down by a couple and the fans go right in the tank too, instead of generating some atmosphere to give the team a spark.
This is one of the best stretches of sustained success in a long time. Last year’s team overachieved and this year’s team is playing incredibly well, especially on the road. Yet the fans don’t appreciate it. Get two inches of snow and those season ticket holders wanna stay home and the “sold-out” arena looks half-filled. There’s an apathy with the fan base and with the organization when it comes marketing and creating excitement.
And I will add this: the league is lot more sanitized than it used to be. In the 70s and 80s, the Hounds had heated, intense rivalries. The fans were on edge. It was us against them. That doesn’t exist anymore. They’ve legislated out the physicality and it’s now a pure speed and cycle game.
Great column! Hounds hit the 42 win mark for the season and Drew Bannister hits the 75 coaching win mark in the same night! Great job Drew!
I think fans are still “hung over” from two years ago. The 2014 – 15 season was exciting and the fans were invested.
1. We loved Darnell Nurse. He was our captain.
2. Speedy Tolchinsky dazzled the fans. Puck possession was exciting to watch
3. Sheldon Keefe set the tone not only for the team but for the fans as well.
Losing to Erie and then losing Sheldon Keefe broke our hearts.
But now it’s time to get over it and get behind this team. Blake Speers is our hometown captain. Senyshen, Kopacka and Katchouk are dynamic players. And in the televised game against Windsor, Drew Bannister looked poised and ready to lead this team into the playoffs. Go hounds go.
Liked your comments about Coach Bannister in Windsor.
Some fans say that he looks too laid back, too quiet.
I liked your words better……..”POISED and READY”. (like an assassin)
Drew is a great coach in my opinion.