Hounds Gibson has unfinished business
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo by Bob Davies
At a time of celebration, Andrew Gibson is determined to remain focused on the task at hand.
On Monday, Hockey Canada announced Gibson as one of 32 players chosen to compete for a spot on the national junior team. That squad will represent this country at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship, beginning on Boxing Day in Ottawa.
“I’m pretty happy and very excited to have this opportunity,” said Gibson, a 19-year-old (2005 birth year) defenceman and a native of LaSalle, Ont.
With players travelling on Monday, the four-day selection camp, also in Ottawa, begins on Tuesday of next week.
“Obviously, I haven’t made the team yet. I plan to go in there, prove myself and show them what I can do,” Gibson said. “I know my role. I’m going to the camp to play a strong defensive game, be physical and block a lot of shots.”
In short, he said he’s determined “to play the way I do with the Greyhounds, fast and keep it simple.”
A signed Nashville Predators prospect, Gibson will skate in the Soo’s three-game road trip, Wednesday in Saginaw (7:05 p.m.), Friday in Kitchener (7 p.m.) and Saturday in Owen Sound (7 p.m.) before departing.
The injury-riddled Hounds (12-13-0-0) have lost four straight and will play this week minus star centre Brady Martin, who was suspended by the OHL for three games on Monday.
That’s as a result of being whistled for a five-minute major for interference in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to North Bay.
As Gibson, who’s been a Greyhounds stalwart, spoke of how this is such an exciting time in his life, he also discussed the job he has to do this week.
“Right now, I have to focus on the Soo Greyhounds. I’m determined to help my team thrive,” said the six-foot-four, 210-pounder. “After that, I can focus on world juniors.”
Despite losing to North Bay, Gibson said he thought the Hounds played well.
That, he added, is something they can build on.
“If we come together and play a full 60, we’ll do really well on this trip,” Gibson continued.
While Hockey Canada announced its camp roster on Monday, Gibson learned of his selection 24 hours earlier.
His parents, Al and Diana Gibson, were in town and they were all enjoying a meal at a local eatery when his phone rang.
Not recognizing the number, Gibson let it go to voicemail.
When he checked the message, the caller was Mike Johnston, assistant coach for Canada’s team.
“When I saw who it was, that’s when I knew,” said Gibson, taken by the Hounds in the fourth round (No. 67 overall) of the 2021 OHL draft. “It was great news.”
Hounds head coach John Dean was thrilled for the veteran rearguard, calling Gibson “an incredible kid.”
Meantime, in the final minute of the game against North Bay, Martin was penalized for a thundering hit on Battalion defenceman Nolan Laird.
The North Bay player was in obvious distress as he was helped from the ice.
On Tuesday afternoon, Dean, who vehemently disagreed with the call and was tossed from Saturday’s game, was asked about the league’s decision to suspend Martin.
“It’s a difficult pill to swallow,” he said. “But it’s gone through the review process. There’s no other choice but to accept the conclusion.”
Does he agree with it?
“It doesn’t matter if I agree or don’t agree, the judge has spoken,” he added.
The Soo coach went on to explain how badly he feels for Martin, calling the 17-year-old a player who competes hard while playing a physical but clean game.
Dean also agreed Martin is critical to the Hounds success and will surely be missed in the lineup.
“But at the same time, we want to be confident and have a swagger, no matter who is playing,” the coach added. “The next man up has to deliver and we’re excited by that.”
Notes:
Netminder Charlie Schenkel, who had been out with an upper-body injury, is just about ready to go. But the club “might decide to give him another day off, we’re not sure,” Dean said.
Centre Chris Brown (upper body) is still day-to-day, but is on the trip and could play.
Spencer Evans (upper body) is still weeks away from returning while Noel Nordh, week-to-week with a lower-body injury, has started to skate again.
“That’s great news,” said Dean.
