Pats feel on track to turning ship around
The question of how to follow up last year’s brilliant success is not one Toronto Patriots head coach, and general manager Mark Joslin has worried about approaching so far this Ontario Junior Hockey League campaign.
Toronto’s 7-9 record has yielded plenty of its own ups, like a three-win weekend between Oct. 5 and 8 with the club’s bench boss in hospital, and downs, without being compared to the record-shattering 40-win season from a year ago.
And after a blockbuster trade Oct. 18, and then a four-point weekend with big wins over the defending champion Wellington Dukes, and a thunderous 8-1 victory vs. the rival Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Joslin feels like the club is on a good track.
“Pretty proud of the boys obviously,” he said.
“The guys have rallied together well, setting the tone and following through on what we’re trying to accomplish here.”
That mid-October deal, which brought in forwards Josiah DeGazon, and Zach Lawrence from Burlington, is one that Joslin is already proud of. Getting goaltender Mario Peccia from the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League has also paid quick dividends.
“Obviously we lost some good skill in Evan Benwell and Michael Boushy,” he said, “but we are very comfortable with the ability and character we brought in with those guys.”
Peccia, a Toronto native, allowed four goals on 65 shots in the two wins, which is even more impressive given that the 19-year-old had not featured in a game this year anywhere to date.
Another big key to the present turnaround has been the addition of long-time OJHLer and recent Mercyhurst University (NCAA, Division I) graduate Patrick Piacentini to the coaching staff.
Piacentini, 24, played under Joslin in 2013-14 as a member of the North York Rangers. After three full OJHL campaigns, the Vaughan native featured in 98 games for Mercyhurst at the highest level of United States collegiate hockey.
“It has been awesome and something I’ve always kind of wanted to try,” said Piacentini.
“I have lots of familiarity of course with Jossy, and the guys have really welcomed me here with open arms. I’ve learned a bit from each of the coaches I have had, and am coming up with my own style, using what I know and my ability to relate to the players. In terms of what I have shared with the guys so far here, it is simply that everyone needs to support each other, stay positive with each other. There is a lot to learn, but it’s been a good process.”
Photo courtesy Amy Deroche/OJHL Images
