Will Schenkel start against Hounds?
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo by Bob Davies
Friday’s plan is to arrive at the rink and, for old time’s sake, walk to the media room and have one final pre-game meal with his Soo Greyhounds buddies.
After that, Charlie Schenkel will make his way – first the first time ever – to the visitor’s dressing room at GFL Memorial Gardens.
“It’ll be weird for sure,” Schenkel, now a member of the Kingston Frontenacs, said of getting dressed in a different part of the arena he’s called home for three plus seasons.
The Hounds and Fronts are set to clash in a 7:07 p.m. start.
“It’ll definitely be a different experience and a cool story I’ll have that I can tell in the future,” Schenkel added.
On Thursday, just prior to the OHL’s 12 noon trade deadline for overages, the Hounds dealt the 20-year-old Schenkel to the Fronts for fellow goalie Nolan Lalonde, also 20, and three draft choices.
The Soo will receive a fifth-rounder this April, a third-round pick (which originally belonged to the Hounds) in 2026 and a sixth-round choice in 2028.
It marked the second trade this week for the rebuilding Greyhounds, who sent graduating defenceman Andrew Gibson to Oshawa on Tuesday for rookie winger Brady T. Smith and eight draft choices.
Asked if he could be tabbed by Kingston to start against the Soo, Schenkel said: “I’m not 100 per cent sure, but I think they might start me.”
Taken by the Hounds in the fifth round (91st overall) of the 2020 OHL draft, Schenkel was enjoying his best statistical season.
In 25 games, on a team playing four rookie defencemen, he’s posted a 2.89 goals against average and a saves percentage of .914 – both among the league’s best.
An Ottawa native, Schenkel shone in last year’s playoffs putting up a 2.36 g.a.a. and a saves percentage of .913.
“As an overage, I knew teams were interested and I had a feeling this could happen,” said the six-foot-six, 205-pounder.
Leaving, he added, won’t be easy.
“I’m forever grateful for what this team and city has done for me,” Schenkel said. “I’ve grown a tremendous amount as a person and as a player due to the unreal, safe and fun environment in Sault Ste. Marie. I’ve loved playing in the Sault. I want to thank my coaches, teammates and the fans.”
Schenkel took it a step farther.
“I think these have been the four best years of my life so far.”
“He’s another player who’s been with me from the hop,” said Hounds longtime head coach John Dean, whose club takes a 16-22-0-0 mark into Friday’s game against the Frontenacs, who carried a 19-10-5-2 mark into Thursday’s game in North Bay. “We have this incredible mutual respect for each other. We’ve watched both of us grow, I think immensely, over the four years we’ve spent together.”
Dean also said there’s no doubt the veteran goalie will be missed.
“He’s an incredible human being, who cares passionately about his teammates. And he’s one heck of a goaltender.”
While Schenkel thanked all members of the Soo coaching staff, he spoke of developing a very close relationship with goaltending coach Mark Visentin, a former OHL star.
“Vis and I have been through a lot together and he’s always had my back,” Schenkel explained. “He’s been a mentor to me, helping me when I’ve struggled. He’s a great role model and he’s helped change my life.”
On home nights when he was particularly hot, Schenkel heard cries of ‘Charlie, Charlie, Charlie’ from the Hounds faithful.
Those times were special, he agreed.
“That’s the coolest thing that has ever happened in my life. That’s something you dream of as a kid,” Schenkel said. “To actually have it happen multiple times, I got goosebumps every time it happened.”
