It’s been a busy sequence of days for the Owen Sound Attack as they prepare for next season.
What ?
The Attack still have 3 regular season games to play this week, they fully intend to have lengthy playoff run and contend in the post season, and you’re talking about next season ?
I’m talking about it, because they are. They have to as time is of the essence.
The Attack staged their scouts meeting over the weekend at Whitby. The get together went hand in hand with OMHA Cup and was conducted with the OHL Cup on the horizon, it starts tomorrow at Mississauga.
For the Attack brass and their scouts, these are vital viewings and significant sessions as they try and plot the course of the team going forward, keeping in mind the OHL Priority Selection is less than 4 weeks away.
In terms of next year, goaltending becomes a very quick topic of discussion.
Jordan Binnington is likely to depart for pro, Brandon Hope is in place but who he partners with remains a question mark. Cameron Hackett ? Those talks continue. Aaron Taylor ? He did well at Saginaw…….
Attack Assistant GM/Head Scout Ian MacLellan, relates there are 4 goalkeepers of interest.
Up front, there will be significant departures too. Those departures could be lessened if, and it’s a very big IF, Evan Smith, Connor Murphy and/or Sean Malone come here, rather than elsewhere.
So while next year in the Ontario Hockey League is a long way off, for those closest to the Attack, a big portion of next year was dealt with over the weekend and will be a primary topic for the next 26 days.
I’m Fred Wallace