Planning to go to a game, but I don't get to follow the OHL very much -- so can anyone suggest which would be the best team or player to see. Such as who would be the most interesting or exciting.
I live in Toronto so I can get to St. Mikes, Oshawa or Brampton.
1) St Mikes arena is just too small to get the true feel of Major Jr A hockey.
2) Brampton is a real dud as far as fans attending, atmosphere and arena. Good team, just not a real fun time for a visiting fan.
3) It's been a few yers since I've been to Oshawa, so I don't know how there really drawing. Arena is pretty old and outdated and the Gens are just average this year.
Living in TO, I'd definately take in a Peterborough Pete game. Their just finishing up a 15-20 million dollar renovation (grand opening is at end of month against Belleville), and from pics and word of mouth, it's gonna be a beauty. The Petes just have an average team as well but the atmosphere should be hopping. Take in a game against Oshawa, Belleville, Ottawa, or Kingston.
Two hours away is Kitchener and they really pack'em big time there. 5500 to 6000. So far, best of the best with modern and old time hockey feel. Bright and right on top of the action. Almost any game is good in Kitchener, but big time rivaleries are Owen Sound and Guelph.
Owen Sound and Kitchener are looking like they will be battling it out all year long, some bad blood in there too.
Owen Sound has some great young rookies to look at too, Bobby Ryan, Wes Cunningham and Kevin Harvey.
OS is only 2.5 hours away from Toronto...I'd much rather see a game at the Bayshore than at the St. Mikes arena...I felt sorry for their franchise when I saw a game there...
Owen Sound crowds are far from the loudest however.
On a similar note, I'll be taking a vaction the week of Janurary 10-17.
I'll be spending the first half in either Ottawa or Montreal, yet to be decided.
The second half I'll be in Toronto. I'll be goint to the Flyers/Leafs game on the 17th.
I would like to get to my first Jr. game. Preferably one in which a Flyers prospect is playing (Soo, Owen Sound, Kitchener in the OHL).
Any recommendations ???
If you go to Ottawa you can see Phlyers goalie prospect David Tremblay
play for the #1 team in Canada the Gatineau Olympics vs Val D'or on Jan 14th..........The Bob Guertain Arena is one of the CHLs finest Barns..........great Junior Hockey atmosphere......
Sunday the 11th.........67s are home against Belleville.......
Owen Sound has gathered some close ties with Philly lately.
Coach Strothers, former assistant.
Ruzicka was 4th rounder by Philly playing in Owen Sound
and Bobby Clarke is very close to Bobby Ryan and suggested he play
in Owen SOund rather than USA this year.
Nothing beats a Oshawa vs Peterborough game its the best and longest CHL rivalry. Your guaranteed to see a close game and lots of fighting and lots of goals. Last nights game tied 4-4 and had 4 fights and some big hits.
On a similar note, I'll be taking a vaction the week of Janurary 10-17.
I'll be spending the first half in either Ottawa or Montreal, yet to be decided.
The second half I'll be in Toronto. I'll be goint to the Flyers/Leafs game on the 17th.
I would like to get to my first Jr. game. Preferably one in which a Flyers prospect is playing (Soo, Owen Sound, Kitchener in the OHL).
Any recommendations ???
Like BladDawg said, their are a some very close ties to Owen Sound and the Flyers.
1- Flyer prospect RW Stefan Ruzicka is a dynamite, awsome shot with some great wheels. Doesn't mid the rough stuff either. Threw an elbow last night, got 5 and the gate, possible suspension (is he built for the black and orange or what?).
2- American sensation Bobby Ryan. A highly touted 16 year old who'll most surely go top 10 in his draft year (some say he could be #1 or#2). His family is extremely close to Bobby Clarke, and Clarke was a HUGE force for Ryan to back out of his verbal agreement to play for Moe Mantha USA U17 program.
3- Flyer draft pick from the early 80's and assistant coach to Bill Barber, Mike Stothers runs the bench for this talented Owen Sound Attack. Stothers has been in the Flyer organization for nearly 20 years. Like Bobbny Ryan, Stothers bleeds orange and black.
Perhaps you should grab yourself a hotel room in London on Thursday night, and take in the Soo game Thursday and Attack game Fiday. The John Labbatt Center seats 9500 and houses one of the OHL's best team. The Knights are coached by Dale Hunter who actually coaches his team to play exactly like the Flyers of old........rough and tumble, blood and guts hockey.
JAN 10
SBY at WSR
2:00 PM
LDN at SAG
7:00 PM
BRA at MISS
7:00 PM
GUE at PBO
7:00 PM
OSH at BELV
7:15 PM
KGN at PLY
7:30 PM
ER at OS
7:30 PM
TOR at BAR
7:30 PM
JAN 11
LDN at SSM
2:00 PM
BAR at BRA
2:00 PM
BELV at OTT
2:00 PM
WSR at SAR
6:00 PM
ER at KIT
6:00 PM
SBY at GUE
6:30 PM
OS at OSH
6:35 PM
JAN 14
BAR at BELV
7:05 PM
TOR at MISS
7:30 PM
JAN 15
SSM at LDN
7:00 PM
SAG at PBO
7:00 PM
PLY at WSR
7:30 PM
OSH at BRA
7:30 PM
JAN 16
OS at LDN
7:30 PM
MISS at PLY
7:30 PM
BAR at KIT
7:30 PM
SSM at ER
7:30 PM
SAG at GUE
7:30 PM
SAR at SBY
7:30 PM
WSR at TOR
7:30 PM
PBO at OTT
7:30 PM
BRA at KGN
7:30 PM
BELV at OSH
7:35 PM
JAN 17
MISS at WSR
2:00 PM
OTT at PBO
7:00 PM
SBY at BELV
7:15 PM
KIT at PLY
7:30 PM
SAG at ER
7:30 PM
GUE at OS
7:30 PM
SAR at BAR
7:30 PM
If I was single, I might be able to get to all the games mentioned, but I'll be bringing the wife.
I''ll be going to one NHL game, anymore than one Jr. game and I think I'll be pushing my luck. I've turned her into a Flyers fan, but she isn't a "hockey" fan.
One selling point is that she does like fighting, so i've let her know that Jr. games are rougher than the NHL.
Oops, forgot about the 'Dogs. Who would be the best opponent to see ?
Well The Ice Dogs themselves now sit a top the OHL's Eastern Conference and third in the OHL, so they are pretty good themselves.
The London Knights come to the Hershey Centre on November 7th to battle the Dogs. That should be a great game just because we see Schremp make his return to Mississauga. The Knights also happen to be the best team in the OHL at this moment.
