67’s moving forward with number one pick
By Sarah Jean Maher
For the first time in 20 years, the 67’s will have the opportunity to pick first overall in the OHL Priority Selection on April 6th, a spot they aren’t used to seeing.
The 67’s haven’t missed the playoffs in well over 10 years including a stretch of three straight East Division titles ending last season. The team established a rebuilding mode over the course of the season, trading away many of their older players and bringing in a mostly new, inexperienced roster alongside the talent of Sean Monahan, Brett Gustavsen and Ryan Van Stralen.
“The hard part of rebuilding is going through a season where we’re not winning as many games with a younger team,” 67’s GM and Head Coach Chris Byrne says. “The good part about that is that we have some high draft picks and some players that we’re hoping can come in right away and become part of our team.”
Byrne has been at the Hershey Centre all week watching OHL Cup action and keeping his eye on players with a strong desire to win and compete, while showing a strong hockey sense and ability to skate. The coaching staff isn’t dropping many names yet, but according to Byrne, the coaching staff has seen some exciting players who will be impact players in the OHL next season.
One of these exciting players who has impressed scouts around the league all season long is Travis Koncecny of the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs. Touted by many as one of the top-ranked prospects heading into the tournament, Konecny was named ALLIANCE Player of the Year scoring 114 points this season and has been among tournament scoring leaders all week.
Still, Byrne makes it very clear that decisions will be made at the end of the season, and choosing final selections will not come easy.
“There are an awful lot of good players. It’s going to be a decision based on who you think is the best player,” says Brian Kilrea, Hockey Hall of Fame member and 67’s advisor. “When you start having the opportunity to get what everyone considers the best player, you can build a franchise on that player.”
Back in 1993 the 67’s selected Alyn McCauley first overall. McCauley was an impact player in the OHL and totaled 112 points in 1997 earning his second straight Red Tilson Trophy awarded to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year before heading toward a successful NHL career.
“He did so much for our organization,” Kilrea says, who was the team’s head coach at the time.
With only 16 wins heading into the final three games of the year, the season has been a hard one to swallow for the 67’s who have a strong history of being among the OHL elite. But Byrne says he knew this year would be a tough one.
“Part of the process in rebuilding is having a younger, less experienced team,” says Byrne. “We look forward to our guys growing a lot over the summer and becoming a better team next year.”
Both Byrne and Kilrea are optimistic about what the future holds for the team, and having higher draft picks could give them the advantage in getting the players needed in their lineup.
“Hopefully all our young players will be stars of the future,” Kilrea says. “No matter how good you are, some day you’re going to have a tough time. This is our turn.”
