Pre-Season Storylines: OHL readies for exceptional season
As summer winds down and players return to the ice, here is what is making headlines across the Ontario Hockey League:
Upon further review
The League will be taking a page from the pro ranks in expanding its in-game video review capabilities, allowing officials to take a second look at goals that may have been preceded by a missed offside whistle or goaltender interference, with the latter reviewable upon invoking a coach’s challenge.
With the use of video tablets available at the penalty box, on-ice officials will also be able to utilize this additional resource to review infractions and determine whether an assessed major or match penalty should be reduced in severity.
The #OHL has announced adopted notices of motion following the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors.
✅ Honouring distinguished alumni
✅ Enhanced technology
✅ Expanded video review
✅ New coach’s challenge
✅ New Chairman of the BoardDETAILS 📰: https://t.co/yolwuxzMO6 pic.twitter.com/Js2rx8eGfW
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) August 22, 2019
Also on the officiating front, the League sees the graduation of a pair of former players turned officials in referee Dan Kelly (Kitchener Rangers) and linesman Kyle Flemington (London Knights), both of whom have advanced to the National Hockey League.
The new rules were approved at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors that also featured the appointment of Saginaw Spirit president and managing partner Craig Goslin as chair of the OHL Board of Governors. Goslin is a former two-time OHL Executive of the Year who has served on the executive council since 2011.
Wright set to make debut
The 2019-20 season will introduce junior hockey fans to 15-year-old forward Shane Wright of the Kingston Frontenacs who becomes just the fifth player in OHL history to be granted exceptional status. Wright follows in the footsteps of John Tavares (Oshawa Generals), Aaron Ekblad (Barrie Colts), Connor McDavid (Erie Otters), and Sean Day (Mississauga Steelheads).
It's official! Shane Wright is the First overall selection in the 2019 @OHLHockey Priority Selection and is now a member of the Kingston Frontenacs! Welcome to Kingston, Shane!
DETAILS: https://t.co/Wq1OECKIrM pic.twitter.com/v9BkdYbtGo
— Kingston Frontenacs (@KingstonFronts) April 5, 2019
In 72 appearances with the minor midget Don Mills Flyers last season, Wright notched a staggering 150 points, counting 66 goals and 84 assists. He then captured MVP honours at the OHL Cup after putting up 18 points in seven contests to lead the Flyers to their first championship. On the national stage, Wright captained Team Ontario to a silver-medal finish at the 2019 Canada Winter Games that saw him record 12 points in six games and attended Canada’s World Under-17 Development Camp.
Family reunited
There will be at least one familiar face when Nathan Staios joins the Hamilton Bulldogs, where father Steve Staios serves as president and general manager. Prior to the late August deal that sent Staios to Steeltown, the 18-year-old defenceman spent two seasons with the Windsor Spitfires, tallying 41 total points in 118 games.
TRADE ALERT: The Bulldogs have acquired Nathan Staios from The Windsor Spitfires
READ 👉 https://t.co/hQtFNig87z pic.twitter.com/mpneolqvgV
— Brantford Bulldogs (@BulldogsOHL) August 27, 2019
The elder Staios has been a part of the Bulldogs since the franchise’s uprooting from Belleville in 2015. Taking on the GM duties the following season, Staios helped guide the club to the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 2018. The former defenceman is acutely familiar with the junior ranks as he previous skated three seasons with the OHL’s Niagara Falls Thunder and Sudbury Wolves before moving on to a decorated NHL career that included 1,001 games played.
Back where it all began
Behind the bench, the Wolves have added alumni Zack Stortini as an assistant coach. The former forward spent his junior career in Sudbury, including the latter three seasons in which he served as captain. In all, Stortini appeared in 247 career contests with the Wolves, notching 55 goals and 65 assists.
Welcome Zack Stortini as Assistant Coach!
"I am very excited to be back to the Sudbury Wolves organization" – Zack Stortini, longest serving captain in our team's history.#welcometothepack #runwiththepack
Check out👀 https://t.co/868LTzBpKx pic.twitter.com/VzAGb0vKJU
— Sudbury Wolves (@Sudbury_Wolves) August 2, 2019
“Our organization is very excited to welcome Zack back to the Sudbury Wolves,” Wolves vice-president of hockey operations and general manager Rob Papineau said in a statement. “He is the longest serving captain in our team’s history. The chance to bring back a Sudburian who has had the success in the game he has had is outstanding for our team and especially our players.”