Hounds Allard hopes to remain hot
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo by Bob Davies
Now that they’re relatively healthy, the Soo Greyhounds are confident there’s more juice to be squeezed from this roster.
And one of the guides pushing them forward is overage centre Owen Allard.
The Ottawa native has five goals over his last five games and seven goals and four assists over a nine-game span.
More than that, the pace at which he plays – Allard has elite OHL speed – and his contributions at both ends of the ice have set an example for the numerous young players on the 2024-25 club.
Head coach John Dean, whose team is preparing to face Flint on Friday (7:07 p.m.) at GFL Memorial Gardens, calls the six-foot-two, 205-pounder “an incredible leader for us.”
Along with the pace at which he plays, Allard was lauded by the coach for his “offensive contributions, the way in which he hounds pucks and dogs pucks and his defensive acumen. He’s the epitome of a 200-foot player.”
Of late, Allard has been particularly effective in front of the opposition net, gobbling up rebounds that have led to scoring chances – both 5-on-5 and on the power play.
When asked, the Utah Hockey Club prospect agrees he’s in the midst of his best run this season.
“I’m probably playing my best. I’m starting to feel good, but I feel there’s still a lot more to give,” said Allard, who has 11 goals, 10 assists and 21 points, along with a plus-minus of minus-2 in 20 games.
While taking advantage of his speed, Allard says he’s also been “trusting my strength and size. I’m a big player in this league and I’m strong. I’m just trying to use that to my advantage in the paint.”
Dean spoke of how the 21-year-old (2004 birth year) “has fallen in love with driving the net, getting to the blue paint and staying there.”
The coach went on to explain how Allard, who signed with Utah in late October, “has found his groove.”
Dean talked about how the OA is healthy again (Allard missed two stints early in the season due to a concussion), is strong and has been able to put together a stretch of games in a row.
“And we’re starting to see him shine,” the coach added.
For his part, Allard says he’s focused on many of the little things that he hopes will eventually land him in the NHL.
He admits he doesn’t expect to be a big-time points producer, and so he’s determined to be a player who contributes lots of energy, physicality and a defensive presence.
“I feel I’m a really good disruptor,” said Allard, who skated for Team Canada at the 2024 World Junior Hockey Championship. “I feel as if that’ll be my role at the next level.”
For now, he’s focused on continuing his growth as a player, preparing to enter the pro ranks a season from now and helping the Hounds take a jump in the Western Conference standings.
Heading into Friday’s clash, Flint (18-21-2-2) holds down sixth place with 40 points, one more than seventh-place Sarnia (16-20-2-5).
The Soo (18-24-1-0) has 37 points while Guelph (13-23-4-1) and Owen Sound (13-25-2-3) are tied for ninth with 31 points each.
“Our goal as a team is to slide into that No. 6 spot. That’s a good goal for us,” said Allard. “I think we can make some noise, why not? Come the playoffs, it’s anyone’s game at that point and we can definitely upset someone in the first round.”
The Greyhounds are fresh off of two shutout victories (both by Nolan Lalonde) on last week’s three-game road trip.
Dean said the club had an impressive week of practice.
“When we have a mindset of pace before problem-solving and pace before playmaking, I think we’re a very good team,” added the coach, whose club is also slated to entertain London on Sunday at 2:07 p.m. “But when a couple of guys go on their own page, it’s very difficult for the other players to be predictable and support what they’re doing.”
Shot volume, Dean added, is “paramount” to his club’s success.
Flint, like the Soo, has struggled in recent weeks.
The Hounds coach believes the Firebirds will be ready – and hungry – on Friday.
“They’re very dangerous offensively,” Dean added. “They can score.”
However, the Soo coach stressed his club is far more concerned about its own game than adjusting for different opponents.
Notes:
Hounds captain Caeden Carlisle is expected to play on Friday. The veteran rearguard took a puck in the face and suffered a cut in Ottawa on Sunday. He left the game late in the opening period, was taken to a local hospital and didn’t return.
Forward Christopher Brown suffered an upper-body injury in Ottawa and will not be available for the Flint game. Dean said the veteran is week-to-week.