Oshawa Looks Like the Team to Beat
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4 - THE INTELLIGENCER, September 22,1995, FACE OFF 95-96 Oshawa looks like the team to beat The house cleaning by the JHL season Kitchener Rangers (18-42-6) last year, getting rid of OHL s always full stars like Wes Swinson, Eric Manlow and Trevor Gallant, is ~>f surprises expected to pay off this year with >y Tom Gavey the youngsters who came in re- turn. Goaltender David Belitski he Intelligencer was an all star in his rookie year. In Barrie the Colts have sev- A year ago who had heard of eral advantages over earlier ex- )aniel Cleary or Bryan Berard? pansion teams, including a gener- Would anyone have given the ous expansion draft, three over- )shawa Generals-more than a ages instead of two, high picks in >assing glance in the Ontario the midget draft and Bert Tem- iockey League's East Division? pleton behind the bench. First It's both individual and team pick overall Dan Tkaczuk may surprises that are the spice of life lead Barrie to threaten n junior hockey and 1995-96 Belleville's record of 24 wins by should be no different. an expansion team. Here's an attempt to pre lict It falls on the Owen Sound where the teams will finish in Platers (22-38-6) to finish be- each of the OHL's three divisions, hind an expansion team. And, with last year's regular season with Wayne Primeau and little record in parenthesis. else this is the team to do it. EAST DIVISION WEST DIVISION Marc Savard came out of no- At least initially the Detroit where last year to win the OHL Jr. Whalers (44-18-4) will have scoring title and he was just one star defenceman Brian Berard in of the Oshawa Generals (40- their already solid lineup. Big 21-5) youngsters who flourished power forward Sean Haggerty under coach Stan Butler. The will lead the offence. Fifth-year Gens have almost their entire OHLer Dan Preston, who played cast returning, including former four years with the Bulls, will first rounders Ryan Lindsay and help on the blueline. defenceman Jeff Ware, a Maple Last year former NHLer Mark Leafs prospect. Hunter helped turn the Sarnia Those who saw the Peterbor- Sting (24-47-5) into a playoff con- ough Petes (26-34-6) during the tender and tliat trend will con- preseason saw a return to the big, tinue this season. Rookie goa.lt- dominating Peterborough teams ender Patrick Desrocher back- of the past. Large defenceman stopped Team. Ontario's gold Kevin Bolibruck and goaltender The Bulls and Kingston Frontenacs have been bitter long-time OHL rivals. medal win at the world under-17 Zac Bierk will anchor an excel- championships. Aaron Brand had lent defensive hockey team. They 17 power play goals last year. may have trouble scoring goals, gei Samsonov in the lineup this rounder with first round skills, turning cast. The best of the Windsor Spit- although look for the likes of vet- team will make some noise. He has put up big scoring numbers There is light at the end of the fires (41-22-3), like Ed Jo- eran Mike Williams to bust loose. needs for former first overall pick during the pre-season. tunnel for the Niagara Falls vanovski and Billy Bowler, are The rebuilding job, begun when Alyn McCauley to rebound from a Thunder (18-40-8) after two sub- gone. Only a shell of the team re- 1 Speaking of gutted, the North Dick Todd left for the NHL, is terrible sophomore year and for Bay Centennials (35-27-4) par seasons. All of that losing turns and that will mean a long over. —- Jure Kovacevic to fully recover championship team of two years meant high draft choices and season for coach Mike Kelly. A solid group of legitimate from a serious back injury. ago will be just a fond memory in they'll mature this year. One of Danny Flynn lost hir job be- OHL stars, led by Dan Cleary, the Bay this season. Don't take them is former Sudbury blueliner cause the rebuilding Sault Ste. Craig Mills and Joey Coombs The Kingston Frontenacs the Bay. Talented netminder Jay McKee. And, with Sherry Marie Greyhounds (17-45-4) means the Belleville Bulls (32- (40-19-7) have been gutted going Scott Roche isn't going to be able Bassin as GM the Thunder has decided he- was the most conve- 31-3) will be in the hunt. In exhi- into this season, losing the likes to do it all himself. One veteran one of the game's great archi- nient fall guy. New coach Joe bition play Kory Cooper has dem- of David Ling and Wes Swinson. returnee (he'll be lonely) is dimin- tects. Paterson won't find things any onstrated he's ready to take over Even Chad Kilger, their best re- utive Lee Jinman, a 100-point Rebuilding the Sudbury better at this once proud fran- as the club's number one net- turning player, could end up man. Wolves (43-17-6) defence will be chise. Goalie Dan Cloutier and minder. However, it's doubtful sticking with the Anaheim a major priority for Glen Merko- first rounder Joe Thornton Richard Park will be back. The Mighty Ducks. Tim Keyes, the CENTRAL DIVISION sky. He's lost Rory Fitzpatrick, (cousin to former Bull Scott) lead defence is a little thin after you Fronts only netminder with OHL The loss of coach Craig Harts- Jamie Rivers and Mike Wilson, a sorry bunch. get by Marc Dupuis and Sean experience, went to Barrie in the burg and centre Jeff O'Neill the OHL's big three. Centre Ja- The London Knights (18- Brown. expansion draft. Kingston be- shouldn't keep the Guelph son Bonsignore needs to really 44-4) will lean heavily on first Brian Kilrea is back at the Ot- lieves 1994 third rounder John Storm (47-14-5) from repeating blossom as a scorer and David pick Adam Colagiacomo and over- tawa 67's (22-38-6) helm and if Hultberg can do the job in net. as division champs. Left winger MacDonald must continue to pro- age Corey Isen will help some. .Jie can get Russian phenom Ser- Rookie Mike Olievera, a third Jamie Wright leads a strong re- vide top notch goaltending. It's a very young team. "A Proud Sponsor of Minor Sports in the Quinte Region ^fmm Smalm WHf tmw mmr ^tnK^^f mufflercentre Itr "Relic" Richmond Bob "Elvis" Deline Wayne "Boss" Kimball Steve "Kornblum" Smith MUFFLERS • SHOCKS • ALTGJVMEJVIS • BRAKES 222 N. Front St. Belleville 962-5317.