Five Ottawa 67’s storylines heading into the Regular Season

With the Ottawa 67’s Home Opener quickly approaching – now just a couple of days away – we’re taking a look at some of the main storylines heading into the Regular Season.

1. The cycle of junior hockey

When the Ottawa 67’s were last on the ice, they created memories to last a lifetime, and set records that will forever be etched into franchise history.

In the NHL, it would have been a simple choice to run it back, but junior hockey doesn’t afford such an opportunity, and the 67’s have waved goodbye to a handful of players. Their three overagers from a season ago – Cam Tolnai, Anthony Costantini, and deadline acquisition Logan Morrison have all graduated from the program, and are moving on to their next venture.

Jack Beck was traded to the Sault. Ste Marie Greyhounds ahead of his overage season last week, netting the Barber Poles a second and a third-round pick in 2026, and 2027 respectively. Furthermore, Tyler Boucher, Jack Matier, Pavel Mintyukov, and Vinzenz Rohrer aren’t expected to be back in Ottawa this year, as they pursue their dream of playing pro hockey, although the 67’s retain their OHL rights.

2. Returning players take leadership roles

Certainly, without those eight players, things are going to feel quite different, but you’re still going to see plenty of familiar faces. Whether it’s Brady Stonehouse, who scored 37 goals a season ago, the four players taken in the 2023 NHL Draft, or the seven guys who were rookies last year, you’re ensured to remember a few names.

The returning offensive group includes three NHL-drafted players, with Brad Gardiner, Luca Pinelli, and Cooper Foster, as well as veteran contributors such as Stonehouse and Will Gerrior. Looking to take a bigger role on the team this year are returnees Caden Kelly and Jack Dever, who both showed their talent in flashes last season, and will look to become consistent contributors in 2023-24.

On opening night, the defence will be mostly constructed of returning players, including St. Louis Blues prospect Matthew Mayich, and 2024 NHL Draft eligibles like Henry Mews and Frankie Marrelli. Derek Smyth and Brad Horner are also returning, looking to make a larger impact this season.

In the crease, the Dave Pinkney Trophy-winning tandem of Max Donoso and Collin MacKenzie has been reunited, creating a last line of defence that you can be confident in, regardless of who is between the pipes any given night.

3. New faces look to make an impact

Other positions have seen a good number of additions, all of whom are heading into their first OHL campaigns. Two new import players, Tuomas Uronen (#13), and Kimi Körbler (#24) were added to the fold, looking to add some scoring, and some depth to the lineup. Charlie Hilton (#21) and Zach Houben (#34) were both signed, adding some serious size to the offence. Houben has begun the season in the GOJHL with the Kamoka Kings. Including Uronen, who was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights over the summer, Ottawa has four NHL draft picks on offence.

Then, the 67’s inked both Nic Whitehead (#10) and Chase Yanni (#16), their second and third-round draft choices in the most recent OHL Priority Selection respectively. They round out what is already a young forward group, but add some talent. Whitehead, in particular, had an impressive preseason, notching a pair of goals.

There are fewer additions to the back end, but the story is much the same: the returning players are expected to step up, and help the rookies settle in. Josh Brady (#3) and Kaleb Dietsch (#4) are the new faces, but both have very different stories. Brady was a 10th-round pick in the 2022 Priority Selection, and signed this preseason after spending last year with the Pembroke Lumber Kings. Dietsch, on the other hand, was the Barber Poles’ third-round pick this past summer.

4. Changes behind the bench

The changes continue behind the bench. Early in the offseason, the 67’s said goodbye to Martin Dagenais, who accepted a job as the Head Coach with the QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. In turn, the Barber Poles hired Paul Stoykewych, a 28-year-old who has previously worked with the Western Mustangs, and the Ottawa Gee-Gees as an Assistant Coach. It is his first season in the OHL.

Behind the scenes, MP Néron also departs from the team, taking a job as the Athletic Therapist for the AHL’s Laval Rocket. The 67’s are yet to name a full-time replacement, and will use a stand in until such a time.

5. A new stop on the calendar

There have been no major changes to the league’s rule book, but foundationally, there is one big thing to note. Looking at the schedule, you’ll notice a new city – Brantford. The 67’s will clash with the newly relocated Brantford Bulldogs four times this season, who will play out the renovated Brantford Civic Centre. The Barber Poles won’t make their first trip until January 12th.

All told, the vicious cycle of junior hockey has taken it’s toll on the 67’s ahead of the upcoming hill climb, but the players are as confident as they have ever been. As the old saying goes, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, but it all needs to start somewhere, and for this team, that’s on Friday night, as they look for revenge on the Peterborough Petes.