Five Questions: Ottawa 67’s
The Ottawa 67’s didn’t enter the 2022-23 season high on the lists of many OHL pundits, but nearly two months into the schedule they boasted an 18-1 record and never looked back, finishing atop the regular season standings.
Guided by reigning OHL Coach of the Year Dave Cameron and Andre Tourigny before him, Ottawa has accomplished just about everything apart from winning a league championship in the last five seasons, something the 67’s last did under the legendary Brian Kilrea in 2001.
Five Questions looks at one of the league’s most consistently competitive franchises over the past few seasons.
1. Are the 67’s still a force in the East?
They’re losing some key veterans in Logan Morrison, Pavel Mintyukov, Jack Matier, Cameron Tolnai, Tyler Boucher and Anthony Costantini, but are the 67’s still good enough to finish on top in the East Division this coming season? The club learned a few weeks ago that Montreal Canadiens prospect Vinzenz Rohrer has signed to play professionally in Switzerland, another blow to the offence. There’s still reason to think the Barber Poles have managed to develop reinforcements ready to step into their prime though, with freshly drafted forwards Luca Pinelli (Columbus), Brad Gardiner (Dallas), Cooper Foster (Pittsburgh) and the pesky Brady Stonehouse back in the lineup. Keep an eye on Vegas Golden Knights prospect Tuomas Uronen, who joins the 67’s after being selected 57th overall in the 2023 CHL Import Draft.
"It's energy, energy, energy when this kid's on the ice."@BlueJacketsNHL prospect Luca Pinelli has been a buzzsaw for @Ottawa67sHockey, lighting the lamp 29 times this past season 🎥 pic.twitter.com/skNkVn6KIM
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) July 19, 2023
2. Is a healthy Jack Beck one of the league’s elite playmakers?
Unsigned by the Calgary Flames, Jack Beck joins goaltender Max Donoso as a likely overage option in Ottawa this season. The 5-foot-11, 162Ib. winger isn’t an imposing figure, but he’s demonstrated impressive offensive instincts when he’s been healthy. Putting a full season together has been a struggle for Beck, who was limited to 36 games in 2021-22 and 45 in 2022-23. With names like Morrison, Tolnai and Boucher moving on, a healthy Jack Beck could be an important piece for the 67’s.
"When Jack's on his game he produces offence at the upper echelon of the League."@Ottawa67sHockey GM James Boyd speaks to the talents of @NHLFlames prospect Jack Beck on the latest #OHL This Week Podcast.
LISTEN 🔊: https://t.co/xdsuzg20ar pic.twitter.com/skGXvtZsUv
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) November 5, 2022
3. What do Frank and Hank have in store for 2023-24?
With a pair of first round picks in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, the 67’s built their blue line with a pair of highly sought-after defenders. 67’s GM James Boyd selected right-shot Toronto Jr. Canadiens defender Henry Mews 8th overall, and left-shot Markham Waxers blueliner Frankie Marrelli 21st overall. Dubbed “Frank and Hank” by colourful 67’s radio voice Kenny Walls, the 2006-born duo showed well in their first tour of duty and both have been selected to represent Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup starting next week in Czechia and Slovakia. Mews put up 31 points (12-19–31) in 55 games, seeing time on the man advantage while Marrelli finished with 16 points (4-12–16) over 50 contests. Both are eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft.
Frank+Hank are headed to the #HlinkaGretzkyCup!
67's defencemen Henry Mews and Frankie Marrelli named to Canadian U18 squad.
📝 | https://t.co/qwVpUvQskU pic.twitter.com/0CPTEUs19y
— Ottawa 67’s (@Ottawa67sHockey) July 12, 2023
4. Will the good vibes at home continue?
Over the past four seasons, the Ottawa 67’s have played to a wildly successful mark of 99-26-1-7 in regular season games at TD Place. You could say 67’s fans have been a little spoiled, save and except for the elusive championship the team has been very close to winning on a couple of occasions including a trip to the OHL Championship Series in 2019, the playoff run that never was in 2020, and last year’s second round exit against the eventual champion Peterborough Petes.
Found the best fans in the league!#ForTheX pic.twitter.com/1gv0D0KVyx
— Ottawa 67’s (@Ottawa67sHockey) April 6, 2023
5. Have you watched Between Barber Poles yet?
Seriously, give it a watch. Producer Carter Normand has done some excellent work capturing Ottawa’s outstanding 2022-23 season that saw them win the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as the top team during the regular season. The documentary is being rolled out with weekly episodes on Thursdays that can be seen on the club’s YouTube channel. Get an inside look at the team on and off the ice, with a glimpse into the personality of reigning OHL Coach of the Year Dave Cameron along with players up and down the lineup.
The highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Presenting #BetweenBarberPoles II, an 8 part behind-the-scenes docuseries, releasing two episodes weekly, in July 💈 🎬 pic.twitter.com/0t6Hjpra4C
— Ottawa 67’s (@Ottawa67sHockey) June 13, 2023
Five Questions is put together by Josh Sweetland (@joshsweetland). Follow along throughout the summer for an offseason look at all 20 OHL clubs.
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