Since the CHL season is officially over, I think it's time for the teams to talk about their off-seasons. First off, congratulations, Windsor Spitfires for completing the quest of Memorial Cup champions for 2009 and 2010. It was a great 2 seasons, and by the looks of it you are poised for a 2011 run.
Now for London, the signings have already begun with Danny Elser getting locked up to an OHL contract. He is projected by many, including management to be a top six forward for the Knights this season. He is 17. London have many issues to work out if they want to be a contender next season though. Things such as the O/A situation, clutch goaltending, and a little more size is needed for London. They won't have any problem scoring goals, and the defence should be okay, but some things need to be rounded out. They need to re-sign Jacques Beaulieu, aswell.
If all of the stars align for the Knights this offseason, they would look like this:
I've read that Clendening is committed to BU next season but Balisy's chances of showing up in London are increasing. Tinordi sounds committed to Notre Dame . All of this I think was from Brock, who is pretty reliable.
Should be an interesting few months, that's for sure.
From what I've heard around the mini camp OA's will break down to Varone, Sanza, D'Orazio and DeSousa. Ekelund is most likely on his way out unless someone has a good camp with a NHL team or AHL team.
Balisey is almost a given to be in London this year. Tinordi is a wait and concerning the draft. If it's early apparently he'll entertain what the team wants him to do. Clendening is pretty much committed to BU. Alot of press coming out of BU about him so....
I think London goes with a draft pick to back up Houser....Hutch still has a chance at returning but I think he maybe dealt if he returns.
Elser has a spot and I think Tierney needs to earn his. Wasn't impressed with consistency at mini camp he had 3 good shifts all weekend. Very timid and almost afraid of his own shadow.
This team needs to get bigger. Schinkelshoek will have his hands full.
Chase Balisy, Shane Berschbach and David Donnellan have all signed letters of intent to play at WMU this fall, with Balisy’s signature arriving Tuesday.
Jeff Blashill.Balisy, a member of the U.S. National Team Development Program and center for Team USA in the United States Hockey League, was a late catch by Blashill, who wasn’t sure he’d fill his final vacancy for 2010 — deciding to only if he could find someone he thought “could really help out the team at the center position.”
“I’ve known Chase since he was 15 years old. He was high-profile at that age,” Blashill said of a player he described as a “very smart, skilled centerman.” “For whatever reason, he had not committed to a school yet. I was talking to a friend and his name came up.”
Balisy fills the void left by the de-commitment of Greg Wolfe, who committed and signed with Michigan State after former WMU coach Jim Culhane was fired in February.
Blashill said Balisy, a Fullerton, Calif., native, chose WMU over the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.
“I’m thankful for us Chase decided Western Michigan is the best place to get an education, which he wouldn’t get in London, and also prepare as a hockey player and grow as a hockey player,” Blashill said.
This is probably for the best. From the sounds of things, I'm not sure Balisy would have lived up to expectations in London. He's undersized and didn't develop very well this year. He's also not likely to be drafted by an NHL team this year. The College route was designed for players like Balisy, who might not ever develop into a professional hockey prospect, but who may also just need more time (aka four years at WMU).
This is probably for the best. From the sounds of things, I'm not sure Balisy would have lived up to expectations in London. He's undersized and didn't develop very well this year. He's also not likely to be drafted by an NHL team this year. The College route was designed for players like Balisy, who might not ever develop into a professional hockey prospect, but who may also just need more time (aka four years at WMU).
But Brock he fits perfectly into London's undersized lineup of forwards... Balisy-Tierney-Erlich you'd be hard press to believe you weren't watching the London Jr Knight AAA peewee team. He seems like a perfect fit. Just think after his 4 years at WMU he could be picked up by Burke as a highly touted college free agent.
His parents said the decision was all Adam’s, choosing Boston University over other schools and the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, who selected him in 2008.
“For this, we had no choice. He made his own choice. He researched it all out, asked us our opinion, but he figured out what would be best,” Ann said.
Adam Clendening said he feels the pro scouts are looking more heavily to college programs and he thinks the fit should be perfect.
Maybe London lures him in with a promised trade to sign and trade to Sarnia?
Clendening's old defensive partner is the soon to be captain, and leader of the Sarnia Sting's blueline Nathan Chiarlitti.
Although London would obviously rather he play for them, if they can get something good out of Sarnia for him I would think he would be intersted. Chiarlitti; unlike Clendening chose the OHL over NCAA after researching both.
I see next season as a waiting year, but still a decent team. When London went all out and got everything the could in 05, they were never buyers until 2009 again so I see 2010 and 2011 as waiting years, and then they will finally choose what to do in 2012.
Maybe London lures him in with a promised trade to sign and trade to Sarnia?
Clendening's old defensive partner is the soon to be captain, and leader of the Sarnia Sting's blueline Nathan Chiarlitti.
Although London would obviously rather he play for them, if they can get something good out of Sarnia for him I would think he would be intersted. Chiarlitti; unlike Clendening chose the OHL over NCAA after researching both.
But Adam's really close friend(Christian Thomas) plays for Oshawa. I could see Adam in Oshawa before Sarnia. I don't think Clendenning has much intent on playing in the OHL. He'll get alot of eyes watching him at BU and it's known for producing pretty solid NHLer's.
It was mentioned before what the Knights ideal line-up would look like going into this season. Here's what They're really looking at, as it stands before any signings are made.
C. DeSousa (OA) - P. Varone (OA) - J. Knight
M. MacDonald - D. Erlich - S. Sanza (OA)
C. Martin - C. Tinerey - D. Fox
M. Rupert - R. Rupert - P. Schinkelshoek
M. D'Orazio - S. Harrington
R. McNeill - K. Eklund (IM/OA)
J. Worrad - T. Hughes
M. Houser
N. Coone/A. Murray
Bench: S. Griffith, T. Brown, G. Milner, C. Cooper
Question Marks: J. Tinordi, D. Elser
Hutchinson is i'd say 95% likelt to be done. Boston could use an injection of talented youth pushing for playing time in Providence, and outside Rask/Thomas i'd have to say Hutchinson is probably the most talented netminder in their system. Courchaine will push Hutchinson but in the end I think Hutch will get the starting job.
Obviously Kadri will be gone, anyone who thinks he'll be back is crazy. He's really got nothing else to prove in juniors. Toronto would either use him on one of the top 2 lines in the NHL or he'll be getting 20+ min/night for the Marlies, absolutely no reason to send him back to the OHL, unless it's a Cody Hodgson type of situation where he's hurt until February.
So London with that basis, have a respectable product to put on the ice. They'll be middle of the pack between the talent they have and their coaching staff. They might make it to the secion round. But the question is, what does London do? Do they keep this line-up in tact, add a few things and challenge the team they play in the 2nd round, and try to push to put themselves in the conference finals, or do they trade away some of their talent for picks and 92's and 93's?
If they decide to trade, and replenish the draft pick pile, and add a few younger players this might be what they'd look like after the trade deadline.
C. Martin - C. Tinerey - J. Knight
S. Griffith - D. Fox - S. Sanza (OA)
M. Rupert - R. Rupert - P. Schinkelshoek
D. Greenaway - G. Milner - J. Unsworth
S. Harrington -R. McNeill
J. Worrad - T. Hughes
C. Cooper - T. Donnay
M. Houser
1993 Netminder
By trading away C. DeSousa, P. Varone, D. Erlich, M. D'Orazio, K. Eklund, M. MacDonald they would bring in several picks, a couple young players, and their product the final 25 games of the season would not be that bad at all, t hey could still win some games and give their 1992/1993 players extra time while building their product around key young guys like Knight, Tinerey, Harrington, Worrad and Houser. I know the Knight fans know their team much better than I do, but i do find this to be an interesting situation of hanging in there and putting a good team out, but losing a lot of talent for nothing really at the end of the season, or selling off everything of immediate value, and keeping their young core together to build with picks, including a high pick (top 8 probably if they make those trades). Also they could probably move all 6 of those guys in January, so they'd have a middle of the pack team for 66% of the season, which would likely translate to a playoff spot, plus a high pick, and enough youth to come back in 2011-2012 and have a challenging team.. What do you guys think?
Griffith will be an every day player along with Brown(IMO he's Jr B at best). From what I saw at the mini camp Tierney and the Rupert twins need time in Jr B. But I think the Ruperts had a better camp the Tierney. For the lack of better words Tierney was afraid of his own shadow in both scrimmages. Elser has a job in the top six from the rumbles around the mini camp. He was probably the best forward on the ice.
I've heard the OA's will be Desousa, Varone, D'Orazio and Sanza. I believe Ekelund is out of a job. There will be an import coming as Mark moved up in the Import Draft by trading Matt Ashman to Saginaw for the 35th pick. Kitchener apparently has interest in D'Orazio so.....Ekelund is almost done as a Knight.
Unsworth IMO needed a huge summer and he wasn't even at the mini camp so things maybe done for him in London. Worrad has top 4 talent. He proved in his call up that he could play. He was one of the reason for the PP turnaround during Christmas. Did a solid job running it. He would have played in game 6 and 7 if he didn't sustain a concussion in his run with the Stars in the Jr B playoffs.
As for the back up look for London native Taylor Speed to have his foot in the door for that spot. He was the best goalie in mini camp as well. Also Mark Foley had a good mini camp.
Other kids that may get a chance... Kevin Raine apparently will be invited to main camp. Yanni Rallis, Adam Arseneault, Daniel Harquail and Matthew DeBlouw all had very solid weekends as well.
Griffith will be an every day player along with Brown(IMO he's Jr B at best). From what I saw at the mini camp Tierney and the Rupert twins need time in Jr B. But I think the Ruperts had a better camp the Tierney. For the lack of better words Tierney was afraid of his own shadow in both scrimmages. Elser has a job in the top six from the rumbles around the mini camp. He was probably the best forward on the ice.
I've heard the OA's will be Desousa, Varone, D'Orazio and Sanza. I believe Ekelund is out of a job. There will be an import coming as Mark moved up in the Import Draft by trading Matt Ashman to Saginaw for the 35th pick. Kitchener apparently has interest in D'Orazio so.....Ekelund is almost done as a Knight.
Unsworth IMO needed a huge summer and he wasn't even at the mini camp so things maybe done for him in London. Worrad has top 4 talent. He proved in his call up that he could play. He was one of the reason for the PP turnaround during Christmas. Did a solid job running it. He would have played in game 6 and 7 if he didn't sustain a concussion in his run with the Stars in the Jr B playoffs.
As for the back up look for London native Taylor Speed to have his foot in the door for that spot. He was the best goalie in mini camp as well. Also Mark Foley had a good mini camp.
Other kids that may get a chance... Kevin Raine apparently will be invited to main camp. Yanni Rallis, Adam Arseneault, Daniel Harquail and Matthew DeBlouw all had very solid weekends as well.
Interesting on Tinerey, last thing I would have expected was for London's first round pick to not come out and perform. I don't think they've ever had an issue with that, that I can remember.
That would make sense with both the OA's and that makes sense about Eklund I forgot it was an import they got in that deal, so they must be setting up for something.
Thanks for the info. Personally I think London should take a page out of Kitchener's book and re-load. They have assets from 1990 and 1991 to interest other teams, and removing the guys I mentioned I could see Hunter possibly coaching his way to a playoff spot. Plymouth if all goes as expected is going to hit rock bottom this year, and Sarnia and Saginaw will be interesting question marks, so in all that they have the goaltending, and some talent; enough to push for the playoffs.
But personally i'd like to see them bring in some 1993's to watch. London is the only accessable city for me when I start part time scouting in the fall, due to my full time job, and i'd like a couple more guys to keep an eye on other than just Griffith, Worrad and of course Harrington. I see Harrington a legit 1st rounder, and Worrad a sure fire prospect, and I think Griffith could be someone to atleast check out and see if he can push for a spot later in the draft.
Interesting on Tinerey, last thing I would have expected was for London's first round pick to not come out and perform. I don't think they've ever had an issue with that, that I can remember.
That would make sense with both the OA's and that makes sense about Eklund I forgot it was an import they got in that deal, so they must be setting up for something.
Thanks for the info. Personally I think London should take a page out of Kitchener's book and re-load. They have assets from 1990 and 1991 to interest other teams, and removing the guys I mentioned I could see Hunter possibly coaching his way to a playoff spot. Plymouth if all goes as expected is going to hit rock bottom this year, and Sarnia and Saginaw will be interesting question marks, so in all that they have the goaltending, and some talent; enough to push for the playoffs.
But personally i'd like to see them bring in some 1993's to watch. London is the only accessable city for me when I start part time scouting in the fall, due to my full time job, and i'd like a couple more guys to keep an eye on other than just Griffith, Worrad and of course Harrington. I see Harrington a legit 1st rounder, and Worrad a sure fire prospect, and I think Griffith could be someone to atleast check out and see if he can push for a spot later in the draft.
Tierney showed flashes of why he should be a first round pick but on the other hand he wanted nothing to do with physical play that means getting into corners first and so on.
Good to see an outsider's opinion. JL17 was right in talking about the O/A's, draft picks and Imports. One thing to add to the London blue line is 1994 birth, Troy Donnay. He is 6'7" and is mentioned on the londonfreepress website as a player this upcoming year. My guess is that Tinordi will join London sooner or later since he is ranked so high, Mark mentioned he wanted to sign him after the entry draft, so I have faith in that one. One thing that bothers me is the small forwards but other than that, the blueline and goaltending should be improved so if the 2010 Knights had 49 wins, I don't see why this team can't challenge for a top 3 pos. in the Conference.
I watched Tierney all year on York Simcoe, he is a player, he is skilled.
He has no issues with the physical play, he is not going to level kids in the corner, but he will take a hit to make a play. Im sure that he will come in and play a bottom 6 role, learn, and be ready for more the following season, much like Jared Knight.
The player that I would love to see get more of an opportunity this season would be Jake Worrad. I watched him play for Elgin in his draft year and he was one of the better puck movers in that draft.
He could really establish himself as a power play quarterback if given the opportunity.
I would not hold my breath on Tinordi, he seems very set on Notre Dame. Donnay would be a nice addition as well however.
Griffith will be an every day player along with Brown(IMO he's Jr B at best). From what I saw at the mini camp Tierney and the Rupert twins need time in Jr B. But I think the Ruperts had a better camp the Tierney. For the lack of better words Tierney was afraid of his own shadow in both scrimmages. Elser has a job in the top six from the rumbles around the mini camp. He was probably the best forward on the ice.
I've heard the OA's will be Desousa, Varone, D'Orazio and Sanza. I believe Ekelund is out of a job. There will be an import coming as Mark moved up in the Import Draft by trading Matt Ashman to Saginaw for the 35th pick. Kitchener apparently has interest in D'Orazio so.....Ekelund is almost done as a Knight.
Unsworth IMO needed a huge summer and he wasn't even at the mini camp so things maybe done for him in London. Worrad has top 4 talent. He proved in his call up that he could play. He was one of the reason for the PP turnaround during Christmas. Did a solid job running it. He would have played in game 6 and 7 if he didn't sustain a concussion in his run with the Stars in the Jr B playoffs.
As for the back up look for London native Taylor Speed to have his foot in the door for that spot. He was the best goalie in mini camp as well. Also Mark Foley had a good mini camp.
Other kids that may get a chance... Kevin Raine apparently will be invited to main camp. Yanni Rallis, Adam Arseneault, Daniel Harquail and Matthew DeBlouw all had very solid weekends as well.
Is it true that Delconte signed a card after mini camp? Previous notes all state that Speed and Colby Drost were the best goalies in camp. Was Delconte that good so as to be signed as the backup for next season?
Is it true that Delconte signed a card after mini camp? Previous notes all state that Speed and Colby Drost were the best goalies in camp. Was Delconte that good so as to be signed as the backup for next season?
There has been nothing said about that in London. Del Conte was good but most were under the impression he was a 92 were as Speed was a 93 and could really push Houser.
Bench: S. Griffith, T. Brown, G. Milner, C. Cooper
I heard from a London scout at a jr b game that Seth Griffith is the highest 16 year old point getter in a south west jr b league since Joe Thorton. maybe he could be in there top 12.
Bench: S. Griffith, T. Brown, G. Milner, C. Cooper
I heard from a London scout at a jr b game that Seth Griffith is the highest 16 year old point getter in a south west jr b league since Joe Thorton. maybe he could be in there top 12.
He is not at the level of a Joe Thornton, but he should be a regular with the Knights next year. He is small, (5'11, 165ish) but can play the puck.
Bench: S. Griffith, T. Brown, G. Milner, C. Cooper
I heard from a London scout at a jr b game that Seth Griffith is the highest 16 year old point getter in a south west jr b league since Joe Thorton. maybe he could be in there top 12.
I'd be willing to bet that he'll be in the top 9. Not only did he conquer the Junior B scoring title, he had 7 points in 10 playoff games with the Knights as a 16 year old.
It was mentioned before what the Knights ideal line-up would look like going into this season. Here's what They're really looking at, as it stands before any signings are made.
C. DeSousa (OA) - P. Varone (OA) - J. Knight
M. MacDonald - D. Erlich - S. Sanza (OA)
C. Martin - C. Tinerey - D. Fox
M. Rupert - R. Rupert - P. Schinkelshoek
M. D'Orazio - S. Harrington
R. McNeill - K. Eklund (IM/OA)
J. Worrad - T. Hughes
M. Houser
N. Coone/A. Murray
Bench: S. Griffith, T. Brown, G. Milner, C. Cooper
Question Marks: J. Tinordi, D. Elser
D'Orazio is a 1990 baby, so that makes him an OA.
Stephen Sanza is almost a quarentee to take one of the OA spots. There's no way he bails on his Jr. B team last year unless he was given a guarenteed over-aged season with the Knights.
DeSousa would make a very good captain for next season, so he'd be my pick for the 3rd OA spot over Varone.
Seth Griffith definately gets a roster spot, and it will probably come with some PP time. He's gold around the net.
Aaron Dartch has a good chance to break into the lineup. He's a local kid who showed very well in Jr. B last year, especially in the play-offs.
Jake Worrad will definately be a top-4 defenseman next year. I see a lot of Dany Syvret in him....
With that said, here's what I think the roster looks like next year
I'd be willing to bet that he'll be in the top 9. Not only did he conquer the Junior B scoring title, he had 7 points in 10 playoff games with the Knights as a 16 year old.
Don't forget playing limited minutes 2-6. There would be stretches of games he wouldn't play for maybe 30 minutes.
good roster with hopes they get tinordi, again
speed wont be there....but i think tierney will be on
the 4th line if not the 13th forward. I think beside that
it is pretty well set...
Stephen Sanza is almost a quarentee to take one of the OA spots. There's no way he bails on his Jr. B team last year unless he was given a guarenteed over-aged season with the Knights.
DeSousa would make a very good captain for next season, so he'd be my pick for the 3rd OA spot over Varone.
Seth Griffith definately gets a roster spot, and it will probably come with some PP time. He's gold around the net.
Aaron Dartch has a good chance to break into the lineup. He's a local kid who showed very well in Jr. B last year, especially in the play-offs.
Jake Worrad will definately be a top-4 defenseman next year. I see a lot of Dany Syvret in him....
With that said, here's what I think the roster looks like next year
..... but then again, my guess is as good as anyone else....
If that is the case about Sanza, then that makes the writing on the wall for Varone. IMO, you'll get the most for Varone than any other O/A on the Knights and you have to keep utility guys like DeSousa. Works his ass off every game and is a PPG player.
Hypothetically, what do people think London could get for Varone? I think he is worth at least a third rounder, considering his 2009 playoff (check his stats) and he was still a PPG player last season even while he was hurt when he was playing.
I like that lineup Dreakmur, although Earl should be in the top six I think. I like that huge D core aswell. Here's hoping for Tinordi. And give Harry an A.
Balisy-Tierney-Erlich you'd be hard press to believe you weren't watching the London Jr Knight AAA peewee team. He seems like a perfect fit. Just think after his 4 years at WMU he could be picked up by Burke as a highly touted college free agent.
And give Harry an A.
