Hounds believe ‘sky is the limit’
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo by Bob Davies
The Soo Greyhounds appear to be at the point where bitter memories of the past are intersecting with unbridled enthusiasm for the future.
“This is the most excited I’ve ever been in my life for a season to start,” said Soo Greyhounds defenceman Andrew Gibson, whose team begins the 2023-24 OHL campaign Friday (7:07 p.m.) against the Flint Firebirds at GFL Memorial Gardens. “I’m so excited for this group and what I think we can accomplish.”
“We have a motivated group, we’re really passionate and we have a lot to prove after the season we had last year,” added centre Bryce McConnell-Barker.
A season ago, a young Greyhounds team was overwhelmed by injuries and missed the playoffs with a 20-33-9-6 record. The club struggled both offensively and defensively.
“I don’t like talking about last year, but a lot of guys came back with a chip on their shoulder,” said overage winger Brenden Sirizzotti, whose club completes opening weekend with Saturday’s 7:07 p.m. clash against Brantford.
The consensus among players is disappointment is best used as motivation.
Having lost just centre Mark Duarte, winger Kalvyn Watson, defenceman Ryan Thompson and goalie Samuel Ivanov to graduation, the Greyhounds return what they believe is a deeper, more mature team.
“I think we’re in a really-good spot right now,” said Gibson, a Detroit Red Wings prospect. “We have a lot of depth and I think the sky is the limit for this group.”
“I think we have a strong team with a lot of depth,” added McConnell-Barker, the club’s captain.
The New York Rangers prospect spoke of how a league championship is the team’s goal.
“We’re good on offence, good on defence and good in goal. But we have to be able to close out games and be more consistent.”
Head coach John Dean, about to begin his sixth season with the Soo, noted the importance of his team competing hard against the Firebirds on opening night. He also wants the home side to play with swagger and confidence with the puck.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that we’re ready,” Dean said. “We’re a confident group right now. I sense a group of players who know they’ve put in a real solid month here and they’re ready to hopefully reap the benefits from that.”
One reason the coach feels optimistic is the fact the Hounds have added some key newcomers.
The group includes overage winger Jack Beck, defenceman Arttu Karki and forwards Brady Martin and Travis Hayes.
All are expected to play important roles.
Acquired from Ottawa for future second-and-third-round draft choices, Beck is a “crafty, elite playmaker,” Dean began. “There’s always a purpose to his play.”
Taken seventh overall in the 2023 CHL Import draft, the 18-year-old (2004 birth year) Karki “has a maturity level to his game that is above most,” the coach noted. “He’s very cerebral with the puck and very intelligent as well.”
The coach also spoke of how Martin, a centre taken No. 3 overall in this year’s OHL draft, and Hayes, a winger and second-round choice (No. 25 overall) this year, have earned the right to begin the season playing top-nine minutes.
“They’re two very tenacious young forwards who also have a lot of skill,” Dean said. “They’re elite. Watching those two together, fans are in for a real fun ride.”
While he typically doesn’t divulge the identity of his starting goaltender, when asked, Dean did confirm Charlie Schenkel begins the season as his club’s No. 1 netminder and will draw the assignment against Flint.
Landon Miller serves as the backup.
Asked which players will serve as alternate captains in support of McConnell-Barker, Dean said Wednesday afternoon he hadn’t made a decision yet. He also talked of how a lot of thought will go into those choices.
As for the Firebirds, Flint finished 35-28-4-1 a season ago, fourth in the West Division and 20 points better than the fifth-place Greyhounds. Snipers Coulson Pitre and Gavin Hayes, Travis Hayes’s older brother, make the Firebirds dangerous.
“They score a lot of goals every year and they like to fly the zone. I expect a very good hockey club to walk in here,” Dean said.
The Greyhounds begin the season with no serious injuries and all of their players are back from pro camps.
Winger Connor Clattenburg, who was invited to the Ottawa Senators rookie and main camps, will be suspended for the first five games of the season. That’s as a result of a checking-from-behind infraction, which resulted in a major penalty and game misconduct, in last year’s regular season finale on March 26 against Sudbury.
Following the weekend games, the Hounds are slated to entertain London on Wednesday at 7:07 p.m. before beginning a road trip on Oct. 6 in Sarnia.