The Ontario Hockey League season begins tomorrow night with the Owen Sound Attack opening their season at Windsor against the Spitfires.
For the Attack, and for their fans, there is much anticipation, the belief being that this year’s club will be a solid contender in what appears to be a very tough Western Conference.
While I haven’t seen a lot this September, what I have seen and what I project is pretty good.
Furthermore, I like the fact that almost everybody connected with the Owen Sound outfit, from General Manager & Coach through the playing roster has something to prove.
Need some examples ?
The General Manager, Dale DeGray, wants to prove that the 2011 OHL Championship wasn’t some sort of once-in-a-lifetime fluke and that he can produce competitive, above average teams every season.
Greg Ireland’s rookie season as an OHL coach was very sound, especially coming off a Championship season. But you know Ireland wants far better than a 6th place finish this time around.
Zach Nastasiuk. Not invited to the Provincial Under 17 team. A late cut from the National Under 18 team. I’d say there’s motivation there.
Want more ?
Okay, how about Cameron Brace ?
This sounds strange that a guy who has an overtime game winner in the Championship series, a guy who did the spadework for the Championship winning overtime goal, and a guy who had a 29 goal season including a league leading 8 shorthanded markers would have anything to prove to anybody.
But Brace was bypassed in the NHL Draft, and I’d think he’s got plenty of incentive to write his own ticket this year.
Here we go….Attack at Windsor tomorrow night.
I’m Fred Wallace