By Mike Beasley /
With almost a third of the current OHL regular season in the history books team owners and managers around the league are facing the reality of what kind of team they really have.
Organizations that thought they would be contenders his season may be turning into pretenders while others are pleasantly surprised with their progress.
Trades will probably be in vogue right up until the January deadline with GM’s trying to make subtle changes to their lineups.
Others may decide or face the reality that this is not their year, unload their older players and load up with prospects for the future.
There’s still a long way to go in the regular season—a lot can happen over the next forty plus games and four months.
There’s a reason why patience is a virtue. Some managers don’t have it and can’t stand waiting for things to happen.
The best part about all this is that we will be watching it all unfold.
OHL’S SMARTEST COOKIES FOR OCTOBER
The OHL named its Academic Players for the Month for October in its four divisions.
West: Garrett Ross (Saginaw Spirit); Mid West: Carter Sandlak (Guelph Storm); Central: Cameron Wind (Brampton Battalion); East: Erik Gudbranson (Kingston Frontenacs).
GOOD LUCK BEN
Hockey Now would like to take this time to wish Kitchener Rangers D Ben Fanelli good luck as he recovers from head injuries suffered in a game against the Erie Otters on Oct. 30.
The 17-year-old was recovering in Hamilton General Hospital after being treated for a fractured skull, broken orbital bone and a laceration above the eye.
BRITAIN ON THE MOVE
Fourth-year LW Josh Britain is on the move again. This time, he’s headed to the Plymouth Whalers. Britain goes to Plymouth from the Barrie Colts in return for Oshawa’s second round pick in 2011 as well as Sudbury’s third rounder in 2010.
Britain is a 2008 third round choice (71st overall) of the Anaheim Ducks. Britain began his OHL career with the Kingston Frontenacs after being the club’s first round pick (14th overall) in 2006. The Milton, Ont.-native was traded from Kingston to the Colts midway through last season and collected 32-20-52 points with the two clubs.
In 202 OHL games, Britain had 68-60-128 points.
REESE LOSES HIS STING
Overage F Steve Reese has been traded from the Sarnia Sting to the Sudbury Wolves. The Sting will receive Sudbury’s fourth round pick in 2011 as well as a seventh round selection in 2010.
The Wolves picked up the 5-11, 170-pound centre in response to the loss of OA Daniel Lombardi who underwent surgery on Nov. 2 and is expected to be out of action from eight to 10 weeks.
Reese had 13 points in 12 games for the Sting this season was plus-3 and was second on the Sting in powerplay goals with four.
FOLIGNO MAKES HIS RETURN
The Sudbury Wolves have their new/old coach back. After a brief absence Mike Foligno has decided to return behind the Wolves bench. Just before the start of the season Foligno announced that he was going to solely be the team’s general manger. But after a slow start to the season Sudbury’s most winning coach is back.
SOO YOU LATER
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds did some house cleaning early this month when they sent OA forward T.J. Battani and 19-year-old winger Kyle DeCoste packing in two separate deals.
Battani is headed to the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection.
DeCoste was sent to the Belleville Bulls for a conditional seventh round choice in the 2011 OHL draft.
OHL LOOKING TO LAY DOWN THE LAW
The Ontario Hockey league is looking to hire a director of enforcement/security. The successful candidate will report to the League Commissioner and would be a part time contracted position.
Contact the league office in Scarborough, Ont. for more information. Applications will be taken until Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009.
RYAN BOLTS BC FOR WINDSOR
RW Kenny Ryan has left the NCAA and the Boston College Eagles to pursue a junior career with the Windsor Spitfires.
The 18-year-old Franklin Village, Michigan-native was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round (50th overall) in the 2009 NHL Draft.
The 6-2, 204-pound forward had 27 goals and 49 points in 62 games last season with the United States U-18 National Development Program.
Ryan is a seventh round choice of the Spits in 2007. |