From Russia With Love…For the Colts
Full Speed Ahead for The Colts!
The Barrie Colts are geared up and ready to kick off the 2017-18 campaign. The feeling of the upcoming season is certainly a positive one.
Many of our players were at the Barrie Molson Centre on Friday afternoon, including two of our newest members of the team.
First, there’s Andrei Svechnikov (1st overall selection in the 2017 CHL Import Draft). A 17 year old who is in his NHL Draft year and will bring a dominant type of game to our roster. Last season the native of Barnaul, Russia played in the USHL for the Muskegon Lumberjacks where he tallied 58 points (29 goals, 29 assists) in just 49 games with the club. He also was a part of a bronze medal Russian team in the 2016 World Junior A Challenge, winning tournament MVP with 12 points in just 4 tournament games.
Andrei is a highly touted player amongst all NHL scouts this year and will certainly draw lots of attention. He is projected to be one of the top picks in this year’s NHL Entry Draft in Dallas.
The Svechnikov name is no stranger to the attention of NHL scouts. Andrei’s brother Yevgeni, was selected in the 1st round (19th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings.
One thing’s for certain … #14 in a Colts jersey is a must see this season!
The second player to keep an eye on this season is Alexei Lipanov. Also from Russia, Lipanov was the Colts first round pick in the 2016 CHL Import Draft (42nd overall). The native of Moskva, Russia played in his homeland last season along with captaining Team Russia in the 2016 World Junior A Challenge recording 8 points in four games.
His great play and leadership on the ice paid off nicely as Alexei had his name announced in the 3rd round of the NHL Entry Draft in Chicago by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Alexei and Andrei have played alongside each other many times and will look to bring that chemistry to the Colts.
Another guy to look forward to watching, who wasn’t at the rink on Friday is Ryan Suzuki, the Colts 1st overall selection in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Suzuki joins the club after a great minor midget season with the London Jr. Knights where he posted 59 points in 32 games.
Suzuki is the younger brother of Nick who currently plays for the Owen Sound Attack and was recently drafted by the Las Vegas Golden Knights, 13th overall in this past summers draft.
The 16 year old from London, ON looks to bring a solid two way game to the club and help bolster a top 6 that will be amongst the tops in the OHL.
Hockey Hall of Famer and Barrie Colts Head Coach Dale Hawerchuk said “ We’re looking forward to helping the development of all 3 skilled forwards. All three have good instincts to create and make plays.”
“After finishing in last place last season, I can tell you that we have turned around very quickly”, said Colts President Howie Campbell. “We’re looking to be back at the top of our division and conference this season. We have almost the whole team coming back, plus some very high end new players. Our GM, Jason Ford, Assistant GM Rob Stewart and coach Dale Hawerchuk, have done an amazing job at re-building our team very quickly. It’s going to be an exciting season”, he added.
This will be a great season, and you can be a part of it. For single game or season tickets visit www.barriecolts.com or call 705 737 6931 for more information.
