Pre-Season Update: Eastern Conference

September 11, 2008

By Aaron Bell
The OHL regular season kicks off next Thursday. Here are some of the players making headlines around the Eastern Conference as the pre-season winds down.
Pre-season record is in brackets as of September 9.
Barrie Colts (1-2-1)
While goaltender Michael Hutchinson and star forward Alex Hutchings will be counted on by the Colts this season, their coach Marty Williamson is most pleased about his defence. Their blueline group includes eight players with OHL experience and one rookie – first round pick Ryan O'Connor. Williamson called his defence the "identity of the team".
Belleville Bulls (2-0-0)
The Hockey News is putting the pressure on the Bulls early. Despite losing, among others, star centre Shawn Matthias and heart-and-soul captain Matt Beleskey, the Bulls were picked as the top team in the OHL and second in the CHL this season. Returning forward Eric Tangradi has been wearing the C in pre-season but coach/GM George Burnett said the final decision has yet to be made…Rookie defenceman Bjorn Krupp already looks like an OHL veteran and will likely get a lot of ice this season.
Brampton Battalion (3-1-0)
Veteran forward Cody Hodgson was outstanding in pre-season games before leaving for the Canucks' camp and assuming he comes back will be one of the top players in the league this season…Sophomore Matt Duchene comes into the season as one of the OHL's top prospects for the 2009 NHL draft. He captained Canada to a gold medal win at the Under-18's this summer and has all of the tools to be a dominant player this season.
Kingston Frontenacs (0-3-1)
The Frontenacs' lineup was bolstered this week by the signing of 2007 first rounder Ethan Werek (pictured). Werek planned to go to Boston University but changed his mind this week and joined the team for practice on Monday…the Frontenacs had a bit of a scare when forward Nathan Moon took a puck in the face during warm-up before an exhibition game against Belleville last week. Moon played that game with a full shield and scored a pair of goals in a tie with the 67's on Sunday.
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors (2-0-1)
The Majors were undefeated in their first three pre-season games and hope that it's a sign of things to come for the revitalized team this season. First round pick Devante Smith-Pelly was playing on a line with veterans Jared Gomes and Mike Pelech and didn't look out of place while import pick William Wallen clicked with Jordan Mayer and newcomer Cory Bureau…sophomore star Casey Cizikas was on the sidelines with a sore back after being hit from behind on Saturday.
Niagara IceDogs (3-1-0)
With the graduation of stellar starter Sebastien Dahm, the IceDogs are juggling three goalies – John Cullen, Max Englebrecht and Mark Visentin – and will be patient to see who will handle the bulk of the work. The IceDogs will be young this year – they dressed 12 rookies in a 7-4 loss to the Wolves on Friday…top pick Freddie Hamilton has looked good and will get a wealth of ice time on the IceDogs' youthful roster…Overage defenceman Josh Day received an invite to the Leafs' rookie camp.
Oshawa Generals (1-2-0)
The Generals added Ottawa area defenceman Calvin de Haan, their third round pick from last year. The offensively-gifted rear guard was planning to play in the NCAA but had a change of heart and joined the Generals this week. He had a goal and an assist in the Gens 7-5 win over Peterborough on Friday…Russian winger Alexander Denezhkin skated on a line with John Tavares during camp…the Generals brought in veteran netminder Neil Conway to tutor first round pick Kevin Bailie.
Ottawa 67's (1-1-1)
First round pick Tyler Toffoli was a scoring dynamo last season playing with John McFarland on the Jr. Canadiens and so far, it looks like he plans to do the same in the OHL. He has already shown that he can make plays at top speed and scored a beauty goal against Belleville on Saturday…Brian Kilrea officially announced that this would be his last season behind the bench, bringing what may be the greatest run of any coach in hockey history to a close.
Peterborough Petes (1-2-1)
New coach Ken McRae guided the Petes to a win in his exhibition debut last week against the Kingston Fronetancs…First round pick Ryan Spooner scored a highlight-reel goal in that game and quickly showed why he was the fifth overall pick in the Priority Selection last May…The Petes may not have enough net to go around for veteran stopper Trevor Cann and NHL prospect Jason Missiaen…marketing director Aaron Garfat was promoted to assistant GM this week.
Sudbury Wolves (2-0-0)
After winning just twice in 16 appearances after coming to the Wolves last January, Andrew Loverock has put last season behind him and is enjoying a solid pre-season …Jared Staal and Eric O'Dell combined for seven points in Friday's win over the IceDogs that pushed the Wolves pre-season record to 2-0…first overall pick John McFarland has looked comfortable playing against OHL competition so far. He scored a hat trick and five points in his pre-season debut last Tuesday.