OHL 20 in 20: Kingston Frontenacs
The term re-tool aptly describes the Kingston Frontenacs’ summer, with a couple valuable pieces moving out, while General Manager Kory Cooper identified some capable names to fill those gaps via trade. What remains is a team with some definite talent competing in a conference that won’t allow them to take any nights off this season. Import additions Emil Pieniniemi (Pittsburgh) and Tuomas Uronen (Vegas) are both NHL prospects who bring skill to different positions while overage playmaker Cedrick Guindon gives Kingston a new catalyst up front as he puts in his best effort to earn an NHL contract with the Fronts. Kingston will also proceed with a 1A and 1B in goal following the summer addition of Memorial Cup champion Nolan Lalonde from the Saginaw Spirit.
| NOTABLE DEPARTURES | KEY ADDITIONS |
| F Adam Cavallin (Drummondville QMJHL) | G Gavin Betts (2nd Rd. ’24) |
| F Jax Dubois (U. New Brunswick) | F Nolan Buttar (2nd Rd. ’24) |
| F Gabriel Frasca (Trade ER) | F Cedrick Guindon (Trade OS) |
| F Linus Hemstrom | F Adam Kelly (6th Rd. ’24) |
| D Jacob Holmes (Alliston Jr. C) | G Nolan Lalonde (Trade SAG) |
| F Paul Ludwinski (CHI) | F Camden McQuaig (5th Rd. ’24) |
| G JJ Salajko | D Lukas Moore (4th Rd. ’23) |
| D Roman Schmidt (TB) | F Ben Pickell (Free agent) |
| F Chris Thibodeau (Trade FLNT) | D Emil Pieniniemi (1st Rd. ’23 Import) |
| F Max Shewfelt (1st Rd. ’24 U18) | |
| F Tuomas Uronen (Trade OTT) |
Five Questions Heading Into 2024-25:
1. How do the Fronts stack up in the East this year?
The Frontenacs have some intriguing pieces with players like Jacob Battaglia and Quinton Burns stepping into the spotlight this season, but they’ll have their hands full with opponents like Oshawa, Brantford and teams like Brampton and Barrie in the Central. Perhaps shooting for home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs is a worthy goal for the Fronts to set their sights on out of the gate?
2. Who fills the minutes down the middle?
Kingston loses a lot at centre with the combination of both Paul Ludwinski and Jax Dubois graduating and third-year pivot Gabriel Frasca being dealt to the Erie Otters. Trade acquisition Cedrick Guindon comes in from the Owen Sound Attack and he’ll be in the hunt for an NHL contract after going unsigned by the Montreal Canadiens, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Expect fourth-year forward Luke McNamara to be a likely option at centre while promising sophomore Tyler Hopkins will be ready for higher leverage situations after winning gold at both the World U17’s and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last season.
3. Who starts in goal?
Mason Vaccari saw a lot of rubber last season, playing in 59 games as an 18-year-old sophomore while winning both OHL and CHL Humanitarian of the Year honours. Fronts GM Kory Cooper added to his depth in the crease over the offseason, acquiring Kingston native and Memorial Cup champion Nolan Lalonde from the Saginaw Spirit. Lalonde will be an overager this season after finding renewed success with the Spirit that included a run of 16 consecutive wins last season. Regardless of who starts, Kingston has two experienced, reliable options to turn to in the crease.
4. What does Pieniniemi bring to the blueline?
Perhaps Kingston’s best news of the summer came in the signing of Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Emil Pieniniemi, who the club selected 10th overall in the 2023 CHL Import Draft. The product of Kuopio, Finland spent 2023-24 playing against men with Karpat in Finland’s top professional league, recording six points (2-4–6) in 38 games. There’s skill there to suggest that Pieniniemi will be a part of Kingston’s plans on the power play, but what he’ll mainly be offering is a reliable two-way presence with a great stride and a 6-foot-3 frame. Add that to a similar package in gritty St. Louis Blues prospect Quinton Burns and the Fronts have a pair of big minute eaters on their back end.
5. Can Uronen be a factor after injury-shortened season?
Vegas Golden Knights prospect Tuomas Uronen’s first OHL season lasted just 11 games with the Ottawa 67’s before he was sidelined with a lower body injury. Uronen recorded six points (2-4–6) in that audition, but his history in Finland’s junior loop suggests there may be some untapped offensive ability. He put up 43 points (20-23–43) in 39 games with HIFK’s junior program in 2022-23, doing so as a 17-year-old. The sixth round NHL Draft pick is looking for a contract with Vegas, so there’s plenty of incentive to give Kingston’s offence a considerable boost if he can put the injury woes behind him.
Related Content:
Futures Watch – Kingston Frontenacs
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