Five Questions: Sarnia Sting
The Sting went all-in last spring, and were one of two Western Conference teams left standing for a showdown with the long-time 402 rival London Knights in the Conference Final.
Sarnia caught Sting fever, with a sold out Progressive Auto Sales Arena supporting a team replete with NHL prospects. After setting a new benchmark in the club’s 28-year history, the Sting turn the page into 2023-24 as one of the OHL clubs hardest hit by graduation.
Sting general manager Dylan Seca and his staff have worked hard to keep a number of young prospects developing in the pipeline as they step in for their big opportunity come training camp later this month.
Five Questions examines the Sarnia Sting, who get back to work after an unforgettable 2023 playoff run.
1. Who steps up the lead the offence?
Most of Sarnia’s big pieces have moved on, leaving names such as Florida Panthers prospect Sandis Vilmanis, potential overagers Marko Sikic and Cooper Way, as well as other forwards in Zach Filak and Easton Wainwright on the depth chart. Former first round OHL Draft pick Andrew LeBlanc joined the club in a trade with the Niagara IceDogs and could provide some scoring punch as well. The Sting are also expecting to add 2005-born Slovakian forward Roman Kukumberg to their lineup next season. The league’s top power play from the 2022-23 regular season will take on an entirely new look.
Two-goal effort from @FlaPanthers prospect Sandis Vilmanis helped @StingHockey take a commanding 3-0 series lead on Guelph Tuesday night. #SARvsGUE pic.twitter.com/TUii97jmxT
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) April 5, 2023
2. How do the Sting fill minutes on the back end?
You can take five regulars off the board in overagers Nolan Dillingham (Toronto Marlies, AHL) and Ethan Ritchie (Providence Bruins, AHL) and other graduating veterans in Ethan Del Mastro (Chicago Blackhawks), Ryan Mast (Boston Bruins) and Christian Kyrou (Dallas Stars). Lukas Fischer, who turns 17 in September, comes back along with some other young names who saw limited opportunity last year in Carson Campbell, Mitch Young and local products Owen MacDonald and Josh Hoover. Trade acquisition Jacob LeBlanc, a 19-year-old coming over from Niagara will likely see his share of assignments as well. The Sting have inked a pair of 2023 draft picks in second round choice James Barr and fourth rounder Hughston Hurt whose names will be added into the mix along with 2022 selection Nathan Omeri.
Following a solid first season on the @StingHockey blueline, 16-year-old defenceman Lukas Fischer has been invited to the U.S. Hlinka Gretzky Cup Selection Camp from July 20-24 in Plymouth, Mich.
DETAILS 🇺🇸: https://t.co/ixBOlI0co4 pic.twitter.com/YFnLaiQ6A8
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) July 7, 2023
3. Where does Gaudreau start the season?
Unsigned by the San Jose Sharks who took him in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Ben Gaudreau enters the month of August as a free agent and overage candidate who the Sting, and undoubtedly a few other teams across the OHL are keeping an eye on. Owning a career record of 53-43-8-5 in black and gold, Gaudreau backstopped the Sting into the Western Conference Championship Series last year. The former seventh overall OHL Priority Selection choice and Canadian World Junior gold medalist will likely get a look by NHL teams come training camp time. He attended development camp with the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier this month. The Sting could certainly use a veteran presence in the crease with what looks to be one of the more inexperienced groups in the league this season.
Third-year @StingHockey veteran Ben Gaudreau hit the century mark on Friday. pic.twitter.com/rKRJFF14UE
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 28, 2023
4. Which newcomers will establish themselves?
The Sting made a big push last year, but GM Dylan Seca, director of hockey operations Kyle Craner and Sarnia’s scouting staff knew training camp would eventually come and it’s shaping up to be a competitive one. The Sting have their top picks from 2023 in Ryan Brown, James Barr, Lane Sim and Hughston Hurt committed to the program, but they’re eager to see what others can bring including free agent signing Dennis Lominac, recent fifth round choice Casey Bridgewater and American winger Nicholas Kosiba, who was an eighth round pick in April. A trio of 2022 selections in third rounder Sean Doherty (Sarnia Legionnaires), fourth rounder Carson Hall (Lindsay Muskies) and fifth-round goaltender Karsen Chartier (Burlington Eagles U18) try and make the jump to full-time OHL assignments after a year of development.
The @StingHockey have received a commitment from first round, 17th overall 2023 #OHLDraft pick Ryan Brown of the @YSExpress.
DETAILS 📰: https://t.co/e83YguiwTD pic.twitter.com/HNYOdY5Xbk
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) May 10, 2023
5. Does last year’s success raise the bar for the franchise?
The Sting turned a corner last spring, winning consecutive playoff rounds for the first time in their history. Sarnia had Sting fever and though it appears a rebuild is in store to begin the 2023-24 season, GM Dylan Seca and head coach Alan Letang are on board for the foreseeable future, each signing three-year contract extensions. Last year’s playoff success put the Sting on the map. It will be interesting to monitor their next steps as a franchise looking to carry that momentum into a new chapter.
"We wanted to put @StingHockey on the map as an organization that is not only competitive, but first class."
The Sarnia Sting treated their fans to an exciting playoff run, developing a winning culture of camaraderie in the process.
READ 🗞️: https://t.co/65sH5JHchC pic.twitter.com/StrFxP8l9k
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) June 23, 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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