NORTH-EAST CONFERENCE UPDATE
While their exact playoff seedings have yet to be decided, it's safe to say at this juncture of the 2012-13 Ontario Junior Hockey League season, the following eight teams will be the ones lacing up their skates when the 2013 OJHL Northeastern Conference playoffs get underway later this month.
In no particular order, here's a quick look at those eight clubs that will vie for a chance at the Frank L. Buckland Cup in late April:
Trenton Golden Hawks -Led by former NHLer and two time Dudley Hewitt champion coach Jerome Dupont, the Golden Hawks are one of the oldest, deepest and dynamic clubs in the OJHL. Leading the East division wire-to-wire, Trenton has been a Canadian Junior Hockey League Top 10 team all season long. The Hawks can count offensively on second year forward Shawn Hulshof and recently acquired Greg Trichilo and with their regular season record, they have to be the odds on favourites to represent the OJHL when the Dudley Hewitt gets underway in May.
Kingston Voyageurs -One of the East Division's pleasant surprises, the Vees have surpassed all expectations in locking up a top four seed within the conference. Led by a strong defensive corps that includes former OHLer Kris Grant and Team Canada East goalie Charlie Finn, it will be interesting to see if Kingston can repeat last seasons playoff success in which they shocked the conference with a finals appearance, knocking off East Division leading Trenton in the process
In terms of offence, newly acquired Dylan Hutton takes some of the pressure off of 30 goal man Junior Harris and gives the Vees a nice one-two punch heading into the second season.
Whitby Fury -Though a new coaching staff with former NHLer Craig Fisher is now in place, many players from last season's league finals appearance in which the fury fell just short of the Stoufville Spirit remain. Led by talented defenceman Chris Ruguseo, forwards Matt Davis and Spencer MacCormack as well as goalie Tyler Feaver, the Fury will look to repeat their playoff success of 2011-12.
Wellington Dukes -Although not accustomed to residing so low in the standings, Marty Abrams' young Dukes squad has been one of the leagues hotter teams down the stretch, reeling off a nine game winning streak in January, that included a month long stretch in which they didn't surrender more then two goals in any contest. Led by young guns Mike Soucier and Abbott Girduckus, Wellington is likely a year away from serious contention but peaking at the right time with veterans such as the OJHL's Northeast Conference Player of the Month for November Craig Campbell and netminder and future University of Alabama-Huntsville prospect Matt LaRose could parlay Wellington past the first round and into playoff glory.
Cobourg Cougars -Picked by many to challenge for the league crown, the Cougars had a horrendous start to their season that put them behind the eight ball and forced them to play catch up for the remainder of the season. After grasping new coach Curtis Hodgin's defensive first approach, Cobourg has been one of the stronger clubs in the East division. Led by the trio of snipers Justin Danforth, Evan Jasper and Dylan Goddard, the Cougars are one team that nobody is looking forward to playing in the playoffs thanks to a late season surge. Of all the lower seeded teams within the conference, Cobourg would appear to have the best shot at recording an early round upset or two.
Newmarket Hurricanes -Led by new bench boss Justin Peca, the perennial powerhouse Hurricanes have continued their winning tradition, jockeying for the North Division's top spot all season long. Not as deep as in previous seasons, the 'Canes still bolster top forwards Daniel Leavens and Brandon Francisco along with one of the OJHL's top goalie tandem, Matthew Wintjes and Lucas Peressini. Fans of the 'Canes will once again be expecting nothing less than a long and successful playoff push. It should be noted the squad posted one of the OJHL's best road records, always a nice feature to have when playing in some of the hostile environments they will face in the Northeastern Conference.
Aurora Tigers -The two time Royal Bank champion Aurora Tigers are back! Led by coach James Richmond, the 2012-13 Tigers are once again relevant in any championship discussion. These 'Cats have some serious bite, led by offensively gifted forwards Robert Angiolella, Dylan Sikura and Daniel Clairmont, who has Dudley Hewitt Cup experience (Huntsville, 2011). In net, the Tigers boast Team Canada East goalie Kevin Entmaa. This assembled collection of talent will proceed in the playoffs as far their commitment to team defence will carry them.
Lindsay Muskies -Led by exciting forwards Dean Klomp, Dylan Fitze and Felix Chamberland, the Muskies have a plethora of talent at their disposal. To date, however, the 'Fish have had difficulty in translating one of the deepest and talented rosters in the OJHL into consistent on ice success. This version of the Muskies has the potential to make some noise in the playoffs if they live up to the hype many pundits predicted of them early in the season. The acquisitions of Chamberland, Louis-David Bourgault and William Pelletier, all skilled forwards from the Ligue de Hockey Junior AAA Quebec have paid dividends for the Muskies and that trio should be one to watch in the first round.
Jason Parks is an award winning photographer and writer employed by the Picton Gazette, Canada's Oldest Community Newspaper. A Prince Edward County native, Parks has covered Junior A hockey and the Wellington Dukes for the past eight seasons and was also the General Manger of the Picton Pirates Junior C Hockey Club from 2009 to 2011.
