Five Questions: Kingston Frontenacs
The Shane Wright era of Kingston Frontenacs hockey officially drew to a close back in January, and the Fronts are turning the page and looking forward to what’s shaping up to be a very competitive training camp with an abundance of returnees later this summer.
Five Questions really doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, but tries to identify some areas of interest on where OHL clubs stand in the dog days of summer as we anxiously await the return of OHL action.
Without further ado, let’s dive in and ask some questions about the guys in the Limestone City, who narrowly missed out on the 2023 OHL Playoffs, being edged out in the final week of the regular season.
1. Can the offence take a step forward?
The Frontenacs scored just 199 goals last season, marking the third time in the last four campaigns Kingston has scored fewer than 200 (and do note the Covid hiatus in that timeframe). After Francesco Arcuri and his 23 goals in 29 games moved-on to Kitchener in the second half of last season, the Fronts were without a trigger-man of similar qualities the rest of the way and their offence sputtered as a result. That isn’t to say Kingston doesn’t have the guys to produce offensively in 2023-24 though. Take your pick – captain Paul Ludwinski is among the league’s fastest skaters and hardest workers, making things happen all over the ice, 2024 NHL Draft prospect Chris Thibodeau showed flashes of offensive brilliance throughout last season, the former Oakville Rangers U16 duo of Matthew Soto and Owen Outwater are back together in K-Town, and Gabriel Frasca earned high marks from OHL general managers for his work as a 16-year-old, being voted to the League’s second all-rookie team. There’s lots of reason for optimism and the Fronts clearly think so too – they threw their hat in the ring to host the Memorial Cup next June.
What a move, Christopher Thibodeau! 🔥
The #NHLDraft-eligible forward makes no mistake on the breakaway to give the @KingstonFronts the lead 🎥 pic.twitter.com/s6HMRTAPbH
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 11, 2022
2. What’s the ceiling on Miedema?
The centrepiece of the Shane Wright trade with Windsor back in January, 18-year-old winger Ethan Miedema skates well for 6-foot-4, 200Ibs. The Cobourg native moved closer to home for the second half of last season, finishing with 21 points (9-12–21) over 32 games in black and gold. The Buffalo Sabres took Miedema in the fourth round last month, banking on the big flank to continue his forward progression. In an interesting twist, blueliner Gavin McCarthy, whose rights were acquired in the Wright deal, was Buffalo’s third round pick in the NHL Draft. McCarthy spent last season with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks, and previously committed to Boston University for the fall. Miedema was the fourth overall pick of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, and is a player you’d expect to really hit his stride in his third OHL season.
"I'm so excited. I've got no words."@BuffaloSabres fans are gonna love Mieds ⤵️ @ethanmiedema_ | #LetsGoBuffalo | @OHLHockey | @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/yC3LCNrQY2
— Kingston Frontenacs (@KingstonFronts) July 7, 2023
3. Is Vaccari ready for full-time duty?
The Frontenacs have targeted goaltenders in the CHL Import Draft in each of the past two seasons, with Ottawa Senators prospect Leevi Merilainen developing in Kingston in 2021-22 prior to a very impressive year in Finland this past season. The Fronts brought in former QMJHL netminder Ivan Zhigalov, who would also be selected by the Colorado Avalanche last summer. After splitting time with ‘Zhiggy’ last season, former fourth round pick Mason Vaccari is expected to carry the load in 2023-24. Not unlike Fronts GM Kory Cooper was in his OHL days down the highway in Belleville, Vaccari is smaller in stature at 5-foot-9 and 178Ibs., but he showed his athleticism throughout his first season, one that saw him voted to the OHL’s second all-rookie squad.
We have a couple future stars on our hands🌟
Gabriel Frasca and Mason Vaccari have been named to the OHL All-Rookie Second Team! Congrats boys!🤝@MasonVaccari | #FrontsHockey | @OHLHockey pic.twitter.com/1aI4oWe0sO
— Kingston Frontenacs (@KingstonFronts) June 2, 2023
4. Can Holmes shore up the blueline?
The Frontenacs added Jacob Holmes via trade with Windsor to close out the month of June. The former Dallas Stars NHL Draft pick and first round OHL Priority Selection choice suits up for his fourth OHL squad after being highly sought-after at last year’s trade deadline. Kingston’s defence corps was beset by injuries throughout much of the second half last season, with Ben Roger, Maleek McGowan, Ian Lemieux and Quinton Burns all missing time. Presumably, the sturdy 6-foot-2, 211Ib. Holmes will be able to come in, eat minutes and play in all situations along with Burns, veteran Tommy Budnick and the hopeful addition of Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Emil Pieniniemi, who was chosen 10th overall in last week’s CHL Import Draft.
🔄 Trade
The Kingston Frontenacs have acquired overage defenceman Jacob Holmes from the @SpitsHockey.
📃 Full Details: https://t.co/Tb51AyB09x#FrontsHockey | @OHLHockey | @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/dBoQ0JPpTw
— Kingston Frontenacs (@KingstonFronts) June 30, 2023
5. Can the Fronts play better on home ice?
This isn’t a question that’ll get asked of many teams, but Kingston was one of just three OHL squads (joining London and Saginaw) that actually won more games on the road (14-19-1-0) than they did at home (13-19-0-2) in 2022-23. It’s an interesting stat – and maybe one that, at the end of a 68-game schedule, means the difference between a trip to the playoffs or an extra long offseason.
"The #OHL is a world class league. Playing in Kingston, one of the best cities in the OHL and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."@StLouisBlues third round #NHLDraft pick Quinton Burns is a proud representative of the @KingstonFronts.
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) June 30, 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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