Good look ahead for Greyhounds
They were the only lower-seeded team to win a first-round playoff series and while their run came to an abrupt halt in the second phase of the Ontario Hockey League post-season, the 2015-2016 campaign can be deemed a definite success for the Soo Greyhounds.
The youngest team in the OHL shocked on-lookers throughout the league — including their own fans — when the seventh-seeded Greyhounds stunned the second-ranked Sarnia Sting to begin the Western Conference playoffs.
It was the steely resolve that the Greyhounds showed in the opening round that stood out as most impressive.
After giving up 2-0 and 3-1 series leads that allowed Sarnia to tie the series 3-3 and head home for a Game 7, the Greyhounds did the highly-improbable by stealing the series on the road.
In winning the best-of-seven series 4-3, the Greyhounds took three of four games right in Sarnia, a testament, to be sure, of the character and attitude of the Red and White.
But now the 2015-2016 season has come to an end for the Greyhounds — for the third year in a row the Erie Otters have sent the Soo packing from the playoffs.
This one, though, does not hurt nearly as much as last spring when the veteran-laden, high-performance Greyhounds were the favourites to win the Western Conference finals only to be upset by an Erie team that got more-effective coaching from Kris Knoblauch than the Soo received from Sheldon Keefe.
Which brings us to the job that Keefe’s replacement, Drew Bannister, did as a rookie head coach this season.
It can be safely argued that Bannister did a better job as coach with much-less to work with than Keefe did during his time with the Greyhounds, especially during the playoffs.
Looking ahead to the 2016-2017 campaign, the Greyhounds stand to lose their ace in the hole to graduation in the person of goalie Brandon Halverson. The lanky puck-stopper can return as an overage next season but as a second-round, National Hockey League draft pick of the New York Rangers, it is doubtful that the Greyhounds are banking on Halverson being back for another term.
The number of good players that almost assuredly will be back next season though is a lengthy one, especially at the forward position where skilled skaters Zachary Senyshyn, Blake Speers and Boris Katchouk head a list of top-line performers.
In all, the Hounds can return 12 forwards next season, not including potential overage Bobby MacIntyre.
Looking ahead, it’s looking good for the Greyhounds.
PHOTO: Soo Greyhounds exchange post-series handshakes with the Erie Otters after losing the second-round OHL playoff set in five games.
Why the repetitive disdain for Sheldon Keefe ?
He turned around the 12-13 Greyhounds practically overnight and few have had as much success in the Junior A ranks as fast as Keefe did in Pembroke, which is a small market franchise. A generational player (McDavid), and a solid goaltender in a rut (Halverson) are both better claims tham questioning the coaching ability of Sheldon Keefe. (Don’t forget Anthony Deangelo was playing injured)
The Toronto Marlies went from being an average AHL team to the top team in the league under Keefe’s guidance this season. The team weathered the storm of losing its top players to its parent club and kept it’s winning ways.
Drew Bannister has done a fine job with a young promising squad, and it can and should be mentioned without throwing a jab at an elite coach and respected person in Sheldon Keefe.
Howard Hound,
You have your opinions, I have mine.
Thanks for sharing yours even if you don’t feel like sharing your real name.
So impressed with this edition of the Soo Greyhounds! They took on the personna of Coach Drew Bannister and continued to grow and mature as a team providing this community with excellent entertainment throughout the winter. The extended playoff run was merely the cherry atop the sundae. The benefits of this fast-tracking team should be felt in the coming season as they have all gleaned invaluable experience that should serve them well. Bannister himself, matured from a co-coach in his previous tenures and will quickly rise in the coaching fraternity. Sure he some great returning talent but he also had to do without the likes of Jared MCCann and Michael Bunting, who would have to be considered elite players for any team.Bannister moulded a young competitive squad that were in games every night and continuously rebounded in the face of adversity! To win 19 regular season road games speaks to his preparation and the team’s diligence. To win the 7th game in Sarnia is remarkable and totally unpredicted!
The future for the returning players and this team is very bright and I for one am already eagerly awaiting September training camp! Have a great summer gentlemen, the Sault is very proud of your efforts.
Great job by Bannister / Western Conference Champs NEXT season!!!!!
Randy –
Bannister did an outstanding job this year, and I think the Twin-Saults have a lot to be proud of in the Hounds; it should be a coming season with hope and expectation.
I had a brief conversation with a friend the other day regarding any coaching changes in the assistant ranks the Hounds may seek. He mentioned what a pick-up it would be for the Hounds to seek Rich Metro (LSSU Assistant Coach); a local guy who who has good blood lines, played at the higher levels, and a very respected name in Soo, MI; I agreed with him. When/if Bannister ever leaves, it would be nice to see a local guy take the helm for the red/white (this statement is only made in conversation, not taking away anything from the current coaching staff…).
Randy used to sh&t on Ted Nolan back in the day so his disdain for Sheldon Keefe is not surprising. Keefe made mistakes in the past but has worked hard to move past them. The fact that the Leafs have entrusted their top prospects with him and his record in the OHL and the AHL should be enough…Was he out coached in the OHL playoffs last year perhaps…But at 35yrs of age I would say his future looks bright and nothing he has done at the O or the A so far casts and shade on it…