Bulls charging into the new season

By Aaron Bell

Two years after missing the playoffs for the first time since their expansion year, the Belleville Bulls are looking to complete their turnaround this season.

Using building blocks from the draft that year, the Bulls have developed into a contender in the Eastern Conference this season.

First overall pick John Hughes (pictured), along with forwards Matt Beleskey, Shawn Matthias and Kyle Jukosky and defenceman Nick Pageau were all selected that year and will play a significant role in the Bulls’ success this year.

Add in players like Bryan Cameron, Michael Neal, P.K. Subban and Stephen Blunden, who were picked in last years draft, and returnees Andrew Gibbons, Jeff Leavitt, Andy Self and Cory Tanaka, and the Bulls’ roster is rounding into shape.

Coach and GM George Burnett also added overage forward Tyler Donati and solid rearguard Matt Pelech in the off-season to help the Bulls become a legitimate contender.

“I feel our team will do really well this year,” Hughes told The Intelligencer. “We’ve got all the tools to do well.”

After a slow start to his sophomore season, Hughes exploded in the second half last year, finishing with 82 points. He expects to pass the century mark this year and with Donati playing on his right side, Hughes could contend for the scoring title.

The Bulls struggled with scoring last season, finishing the year with the fewest goals in the East Division. Hughes knows that it will be up to the veterans to turn that trend around.

“My personal goal is to do whatever I can do help the team achieve its goals,” Hughes said. “As for team goals, for sure we should go farther in the playoffs then we did last year. My first thought when I heard we got Donati was that we’ve got a goal-scorer.”

Hughes also sees the emergence of sophomores like Cameron and Neal as a contributing factor to the team’s success this season.

“Your first year in the OHL is the toughest and I think our second-year guys will do a lot better this season,” Hughes said.

Geoff Killing, the lone skater from the team that missed the playoffs three years ago, Steven Whitely and Pelech are the only 19-year-olds on the blueline. Sophomores Pageau and Subban both move the puck efficiently and first round pick Shawn Lalonde has been sensational in training camp.

Pelech will also help shore up the relatively young blueline that will play in front of standout goaltender Kevin Lalande.

“I would imagine my role is to be steady out there and keep it simple,” Pelech said. “I’m used to playing a lot of minutes and if that’s what the Bulls want me to do then I’m ready to do that.”

Pelech admitted that he was surprised to hear that he was leaving London, but was excited about the opportunity to go after a championship with the Bulls.

“I didn’t really see it coming,” Pelech said. “But my agent told me Belleville was really interested and I became excited about that. I waived my no-trade clause because Belleville’s going to have a good team this season and it was a good place for me to go.”

Photo: Dan Hamilton/Vantage Point