Spitfires Select Tom Kuhnhackl
(Windsor) Earlier today, the Windsor Spitfires moved up in the CHL Import Draft as they acquired the 24th overall pick from the London Knights. In exchange, the Spitfires sent a fourth round pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection and a third round pick in 2012 to the Knights as well as the 58th overall pick for today’s Import Draft.
With the 24th pick, the Spitfires selected Tom Kuhnhackl, a six-foot-two 172 pound centre from Germany. Kuhnhackl played for the Landshut Cannibals in the second Bundesliga in Germany. In 42 games with Landshut, he scored 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points with 34 penalty minutes. Kuhnhackl also played for Team Germany at the World Under-18 Championships in Fargo, North Dakota and scored 1 goal with 1 assist for 2 points in 6 games.
“We have always wanted to get the best players to play for us in Windsor. Kuhnhackl was one of the best players available in this draft. He’s a real skilled player who has the potential to be a first round NHL pick next year and comes from a hockey background as he is also the son of international hockey legend Erich Kuhnhackl,” commented Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.
In Play! magazine
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Windsor Spitfires to Pick 58th in Tomorrow’s CHL Import Draft
(Windsor) With five Spitfire players being selected in the NHL Entry Draft this past weekend as well as the signing of Czech forward Richard Panik, the Windsor Spitfires will turn their focus to tomorrow’s CHL Import Draft. The Halifax Mooseheads have the first pick and will make their selection (9 a.m June 30). Windsor currently holds the 58th overall pick and will be making their selection tomorrow evening.
“We will be able to use our pick this year with Loktionov playing in the professional ranks. With the signing of Panik, we have one European spot accounted for but I would like to add another European player to our lineup,” commented Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.
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“We will be able to use our pick this year with Loktionov playing in the professional ranks. With the signing of Panik, we have one European spot accounted for but I would like to add another European player to our lineup,” commented Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.
In Play! magazine
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Spitfires Sign Slovak Forward Richard Panik
(Windsor) At yesterday’s NHL Draft, Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel signed centre Richard Panik to an OHL contract that will bring Panik to Windsor for the 2009-10 season. Panik, a Slovakian forward from Trinec in the Czech leagues was selected in the second round, 52nd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in today’s NHL Entry Draft.
Panik, listed as 6’2” and 203 pounds, played 20 games with the Czech Under-20 squad, registering 19 points and also represented his country at the Under-20 World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa, helping his country advance to the medal round as he scored two goals and added three assists for five points in seven games.
The Windsor Spitfires moved up in last year’s CHL Import Draft, selecting Panik with the 10th pick overall. He remained in Slovakia for the past season but will provide the Spitfire front line with a boost for the 2009-10 campaign.
“He’s a high-end player. There will be an adjustment period but he’s a pure sniper. He gives us a scoring threat and skill level.” said Rychel.
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Panik, listed as 6’2” and 203 pounds, played 20 games with the Czech Under-20 squad, registering 19 points and also represented his country at the Under-20 World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa, helping his country advance to the medal round as he scored two goals and added three assists for five points in seven games.
The Windsor Spitfires moved up in last year’s CHL Import Draft, selecting Panik with the 10th pick overall. He remained in Slovakia for the past season but will provide the Spitfire front line with a boost for the 2009-10 campaign.
“He’s a high-end player. There will be an adjustment period but he’s a pure sniper. He gives us a scoring threat and skill level.” said Rychel.
In Play! magazine
Philadelphia Selects Spitfire Forward Eric Wellwood in the Sixth Round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
(Windsor) Earlier today, the Philadelphia Flyers selected Spitfire left-winger Eric Wellwood in the sixth round, 172th overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal. This past season, the Oldcastle, Ontario native and brother of former Spitfire and current Vancouver Canucks centre Kyle Wellwood scored 16 goals and added 18 assists for 34 points in 61 games, while posting a +27 plus/minus rating. Eric Wellwood is considered by many to be one of the fastest players in both the OHL and CHL, using his speed effectively to play an excellent two-way game.
During the Spitfires’ 2009 OHL Playoff Championship run, Wellwood posted impressive numbers, scoring 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 20 games and was tied for 10th in the OHL’s playoff scoring race along with a +14 plus/minus rating, which was tied for 6th in the OHL. He also scored two overtime goals, including the series winner in Windsor’s thrilling, four games to one win victory in the OHL’s Western Conference Championships over the London Knights. Wellwood was also a key contributor in the Spitfires 2009 MasterCard Memorial Championship performance as he scored one goal and three assists for four points in six games.
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During the Spitfires’ 2009 OHL Playoff Championship run, Wellwood posted impressive numbers, scoring 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 20 games and was tied for 10th in the OHL’s playoff scoring race along with a +14 plus/minus rating, which was tied for 6th in the OHL. He also scored two overtime goals, including the series winner in Windsor’s thrilling, four games to one win victory in the OHL’s Western Conference Championships over the London Knights. Wellwood was also a key contributor in the Spitfires 2009 MasterCard Memorial Championship performance as he scored one goal and three assists for four points in six games.
In Play! magazine
Florida Selects Spitfire Forward Scott Timmins in the Sixth Round at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
(Windsor) Earlier today, the Florida Panthers selected Spitfire centre Scott Timmins in the sixth round, 165th overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal. This past season, the Hamilton, Ontario native was acquired by Windsor in January through a trade with the Kitchener Rangers and provided the Spitfires with excellent two-way play upon his arrival. Overall, Timmins finished tied for 23rd in the OHL scoring race with 35 goals and 38 assists for 73 points. As a member of the Spitfires, he scored 10 goals and added 14 assists for 24 points in 28 games. For his excellent performance during the season, he was selected to represent the Windsor Spitfires and Team West at the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic in February hosted in Windsor.
During the playoffs, Timmins played against the opposing team’s top lines in a defensive-minded role and was a key member of Windsor’s 2009 OHL Playoff and MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship performances. He also provided the Spitfires with great offensive contributions, scoring 6 goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 20 games during the OHL playoffs, along with a +13 plus/minus rating, which was tied for 8th in the league. He was also solid on both ends of the ice during the Memorial Cup.
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During the playoffs, Timmins played against the opposing team’s top lines in a defensive-minded role and was a key member of Windsor’s 2009 OHL Playoff and MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship performances. He also provided the Spitfires with great offensive contributions, scoring 6 goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 20 games during the OHL playoffs, along with a +13 plus/minus rating, which was tied for 8th in the league. He was also solid on both ends of the ice during the Memorial Cup.
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Boston Selects Spitfire Forward Lane MacDermid in the Fourth Round at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
(Windsor) Earlier today, the Boston Bruins selected Spitfire left-winger Lane MacDermid in the fourth round, 112th overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal. This past season, the Sauble Beach, Ontario native was acquired by Windsor in December through a trade with the Owen Sound Attack and made an immediate impact with the Spitfires, playing a rugged and physical brand of hockey. Overall, MacDermid scored 15 goals and added 20 assists for 35 points in 64 games, while posting a +22 plus/minus rating. He also finished second in the OHL with 197 penalty minutes. As a member of the Spitfires, he scored 7 goals and added 14 assists for 21 points, with a +23 plus/minus rating and 112 penalty minutes.
MacDermid’s gritty play was a key element to Windsor’s success in both the 2009 OHL Playoff and MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship performances. He also contributed offensively, scoring 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points in 20 OHL playoff games and provided a physical presence for the Spitfires at the Memorial Cup.
In Play! magazine
MacDermid’s gritty play was a key element to Windsor’s success in both the 2009 OHL Playoff and MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship performances. He also contributed offensively, scoring 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points in 20 OHL playoff games and provided a physical presence for the Spitfires at the Memorial Cup.
In Play! magazine
Toronto Maple Leafs Select Spitfire Defenceman Jesse Blacker 58th Overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
(Windsor) Earlier today, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Spitfire defenceman Jesse Blacker in the second round, 58th overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal. This past season, the Toronto, Ontario native became a steady top-six blue liner with the Spitfires in his first full campaign, as he posted a +46 plus/minus rating, good for sixth overall in the OHL while scoring 4 goals and 17 assists for 21 points in 67 games.
Blacker was also an instrumental part of the Spitfires’ OHL and MasterCard Memorial Cup Championships this past season. During the OHL playoffs, he posted a +13 plus/minus rating, which was tied for eighth best in the entire OHL. He was also a consistent top-six defenceman for the Spitfires in both the OHL playoffs and the Memorial Cup.
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Blacker was also an instrumental part of the Spitfires’ OHL and MasterCard Memorial Cup Championships this past season. During the OHL playoffs, he posted a +13 plus/minus rating, which was tied for eighth best in the entire OHL. He was also a consistent top-six defenceman for the Spitfires in both the OHL playoffs and the Memorial Cup.
In Play! magazine
Nashville Selects Spitfire Defenceman Ryan Ellis 11th Overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
(Windsor) Earlier tonight, the Nashville Predators selected Spitfire defenceman Ryan Ellis with their first round selection, 11th overall at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal. This past season, the Freelton, Ontario native enjoyed success matched by few in their junior hockey careers. He finished the regular season as the OHL’s leading scorer amongst defencemen and second on the Spitfires with 22 goals and a league high 67 assists for 89 points. His 89 points were also seventh amongst all OHL scorers and he posted the second best plus/minus rating in the league with a +52
Ellis was also selected to play for Team OHL at the 2008 ADT Canada/Russia Challenge in November and then represented Team Canada at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships in January, winning a Gold Medal as Canada defeated Sweden 5-1 in the final. He scored one goal and recorded six assists for seven points in six games played during the tournament and was the youngest defenceman to participate in the WJHC since Jay Bouwmeester in 2001.
Two months later, he represented the Windsor Spitfires and Team West at the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic in February hosted in Windsor. His amazing season prompted the OHL to name him the Max Kaminsky Trophy Winner as the league’s Most Outstanding Defenceman.
In the playoffs, Ellis was a key part of the Spitfires OHL Championship squad, as Windsor defeated the Brampton Battalion four games to one. He finished tied for third overall in the OHL and first amongst all defencemen in playoff scoring with 8 goals and 23 assists for 31 points in 20 games. He finished the season by helping the Spitfires make history in becoming the first team to come back from losing their first two games to win the 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup, as Windsor won four straight games, including a 4-1 win over the Kelowna Rockets in the Championship Final. Ellis was named to the Memorial Cup Tournament All-Star team as he scored three goals and added one assist for four points in six games.
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Ellis was also selected to play for Team OHL at the 2008 ADT Canada/Russia Challenge in November and then represented Team Canada at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships in January, winning a Gold Medal as Canada defeated Sweden 5-1 in the final. He scored one goal and recorded six assists for seven points in six games played during the tournament and was the youngest defenceman to participate in the WJHC since Jay Bouwmeester in 2001.
Two months later, he represented the Windsor Spitfires and Team West at the 2009 Subway OHL All-Star Classic in February hosted in Windsor. His amazing season prompted the OHL to name him the Max Kaminsky Trophy Winner as the league’s Most Outstanding Defenceman.
In the playoffs, Ellis was a key part of the Spitfires OHL Championship squad, as Windsor defeated the Brampton Battalion four games to one. He finished tied for third overall in the OHL and first amongst all defencemen in playoff scoring with 8 goals and 23 assists for 31 points in 20 games. He finished the season by helping the Spitfires make history in becoming the first team to come back from losing their first two games to win the 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup, as Windsor won four straight games, including a 4-1 win over the Kelowna Rockets in the Championship Final. Ellis was named to the Memorial Cup Tournament All-Star team as he scored three goals and added one assist for four points in six games.
In Play! magazine
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
BOB BOUGHNER TO HEAD COACH NATIONAL MEN’S SUMMER UNDER-18 TEAM
CALGARY, Alta. – Following Tuesday’s appointment of Dave Lowry as an assistant coach with the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames, Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey League have announced a change in the coaching staff of Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team. Bob Boughner, the head coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires, will replace Lowry as the team’s head coach.
“Dave Lowry is an outstanding young coach, and we congratulate him on his new position with the Calgary Flames,” said Brad Pascall, Hockey Canada’s senior director of men’s national teams. “The National Men’s Under-18 Team is a key opportunity for Hockey Canada to develop coaches and players for possible future Program of Excellence opportunities such as the IIHF World Under-18 Championship or the IIHF World Junior Championship. It was therefore important to make this change for the benefit of our program. We are very excited to name Bob Boughner as our new head coach.”
Boughner, who spent 10 years as a player in the National Hockey League with Buffalo, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Calgary, Carolina and Colorado, is a two-time OHL and CHL coach of the year and led Windsor to the first Memorial Cup championship in franchise history in May.
Chris DePiero and Mark Holick, who were named assistant coaches on May 20, will remain on the coaching staff of Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team.
Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp will run from August 1-4 at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary. Details, including red and white rosters, will be announced at a later date.
Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team is one of two under-18 teams that Hockey Canada assembles during each season. A second men’s under-18 team will take part in the 2010 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Belarus in April 2010, and will be comprised of available players not involved in the playoffs with their respective teams. The under-18 program, along with the regional under-17 program and the national under-20 program make up Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, which identifies, evaluates and develops players for international competition.
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“Dave Lowry is an outstanding young coach, and we congratulate him on his new position with the Calgary Flames,” said Brad Pascall, Hockey Canada’s senior director of men’s national teams. “The National Men’s Under-18 Team is a key opportunity for Hockey Canada to develop coaches and players for possible future Program of Excellence opportunities such as the IIHF World Under-18 Championship or the IIHF World Junior Championship. It was therefore important to make this change for the benefit of our program. We are very excited to name Bob Boughner as our new head coach.”
Boughner, who spent 10 years as a player in the National Hockey League with Buffalo, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Calgary, Carolina and Colorado, is a two-time OHL and CHL coach of the year and led Windsor to the first Memorial Cup championship in franchise history in May.
Chris DePiero and Mark Holick, who were named assistant coaches on May 20, will remain on the coaching staff of Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team.
Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team selection camp will run from August 1-4 at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary. Details, including red and white rosters, will be announced at a later date.
Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team is one of two under-18 teams that Hockey Canada assembles during each season. A second men’s under-18 team will take part in the 2010 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Belarus in April 2010, and will be comprised of available players not involved in the playoffs with their respective teams. The under-18 program, along with the regional under-17 program and the national under-20 program make up Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, which identifies, evaluates and develops players for international competition.
In Play! magazine
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Andrew Engelage
Andrew Engelage
Despite a record breaking 46 wins during the regular season I wonder if his two shaky starts in Owen Sound and the 3rd period lapse in Game 1 has the Spitfire brass talking.
Outside of a solid 6-1 win in Game 3 Engelage has been victimized. It's not all on him though. The Spits have a tendency to become complacent leaving their goalie vulnerable.
As the playoffs intensify the play of the team will have to tighten up. If not Enge will be the easy target.
I'd like to see Enge succeed. He's has turned things around and proven he's capable. Sad thing is fans won't give him the credit he deserves until he helps the Spits win it.
Despite a record breaking 46 wins during the regular season I wonder if his two shaky starts in Owen Sound and the 3rd period lapse in Game 1 has the Spitfire brass talking.
Outside of a solid 6-1 win in Game 3 Engelage has been victimized. It's not all on him though. The Spits have a tendency to become complacent leaving their goalie vulnerable.
As the playoffs intensify the play of the team will have to tighten up. If not Enge will be the easy target.
I'd like to see Enge succeed. He's has turned things around and proven he's capable. Sad thing is fans won't give him the credit he deserves until he helps the Spits win it.
Spits weather Attack and close out Owen Sound
No surprise that Windsor took care of Owen Sound in Round 1 of the OHL playoffs. With their first series win in 4 years, and first for the new ownership, the Spits now get almost a week to rest while their next opponent gets beat up.
If things shake out the way they're supposed to Windsor's next opponent will come out of the Plymouth-Sarnia series. Both pose interesting scenarios.
Mike Vellucci has The Whalers player tough hockey pulling the team out of the basement and into the playoffs.
Sarnia would be a fan favourite based on paybacks. The Sting knocked Windsor out of the first round last spring and don't think the Spits have forgotten. I think this would be the most intriguing opponent. I'd love to see how the Spits handle proverbial pain in the arce Matt Martin. He wreaked-havoc on them last spring and always causes a stir when these two teams play.
If things shake out the way they're supposed to Windsor's next opponent will come out of the Plymouth-Sarnia series. Both pose interesting scenarios.
Mike Vellucci has The Whalers player tough hockey pulling the team out of the basement and into the playoffs.
Sarnia would be a fan favourite based on paybacks. The Sting knocked Windsor out of the first round last spring and don't think the Spits have forgotten. I think this would be the most intriguing opponent. I'd love to see how the Spits handle proverbial pain in the arce Matt Martin. He wreaked-havoc on them last spring and always causes a stir when these two teams play.
Windsor Spitfires head into final weekend of the season.
Don't really care much for the last weekend of the regular season anymore. The Spits aren't chasing any records anymore.
Nice that they didn't get the record though. Sounds cruel but here's why it benefits them. Some, like Taylor Hall, can get a rest. They are no longer consumed by the record chase and can better prepare for the playoffs.
They are now in playoff mode and should do well this season. I know we shouldn't look to far ahead but Windsor-London in the Western Conference final would be a great matchup.
Nice that they didn't get the record though. Sounds cruel but here's why it benefits them. Some, like Taylor Hall, can get a rest. They are no longer consumed by the record chase and can better prepare for the playoffs.
They are now in playoff mode and should do well this season. I know we shouldn't look to far ahead but Windsor-London in the Western Conference final would be a great matchup.
NHL Outdoor Classic
I heard a great idea today. The NHL should reward players for a good year by allowing them to play in the Outdoor Classic NHL All Star Game. Players talked about how great Chicago was. One player from each NHL city would represent making the game more interesting for all fans. I bet the game would also receive more ink and air-time. Great selling tool. Someone tell Bettman!
Detroit not flying in Montreal
Wassup with that. No Detroit Red Wings at the All Star game. Horrible! They are Stanley Cup champs and contenders once again. Fans are getting short-changed! They could have sent Marian Hossa. He's having an ok year.
Rip'in from the bench
Having Rip Hamilton come off the bench looks like a good thing...so far. Give head coach Michael Curry some credit for having the balls to make the move. A huge pat on the back to Rip for being the consumate professional.
He's doing a great job of embracing the role and not telling everyone what he really thinks. I hope he thrives and the ship starts sailing in the right direction. How do the Pistons lose 5 in a row. C'mon. Let's get the party started like in 2004!
He's doing a great job of embracing the role and not telling everyone what he really thinks. I hope he thrives and the ship starts sailing in the right direction. How do the Pistons lose 5 in a row. C'mon. Let's get the party started like in 2004!
Death Of Hockey Player Rekindles Debate
My heart goes to out to the family of Don Sanderson, the 21-year old Whitby Dunlops player, who succumbed to his injuries and passed away January 2nd. Sanderson was involved in a fight during a Major Hockey League Senior A game three weeks ago.
He lost his helmet, fell and banged his head off the ice during a third period tussle.
The accident has rekindled the debate about fighting in the game of hockey. Some like it. Others don't. I watched a player on TSN say it's part of the game and a risk they take when getting involved.
The issue has been debated for years. Will this incident force hockey to react? I think more focus on safety will ensue but fighting probably won't be banned any time soon. It can't be. Don Cherry would lose his mind. Should fighting be outlawed? It's works in lacrosse but basketball and baseball players look like sissy's when they fight...or try to.
The games of Football and Rugby are more physical but their players don't fight. Why not? Can hockey be like those sports? Better yet, can hockey fans enjoy the physical part of the game without the fights? It works for football and rugby.
He lost his helmet, fell and banged his head off the ice during a third period tussle.
The accident has rekindled the debate about fighting in the game of hockey. Some like it. Others don't. I watched a player on TSN say it's part of the game and a risk they take when getting involved.
The issue has been debated for years. Will this incident force hockey to react? I think more focus on safety will ensue but fighting probably won't be banned any time soon. It can't be. Don Cherry would lose his mind. Should fighting be outlawed? It's works in lacrosse but basketball and baseball players look like sissy's when they fight...or try to.
The games of Football and Rugby are more physical but their players don't fight. Why not? Can hockey be like those sports? Better yet, can hockey fans enjoy the physical part of the game without the fights? It works for football and rugby.
Tavares Sweepstakes
Will Windsor win the John Tavares sweepstakes or will Boughner and the boys lose out to London, Brampton or Belleville?
NHL in Europe
Here's my first rant. I don't like that the NHL season started in Europe. Unless the powers that be are going to expand there it's a waste of time. Even if they're thinking about expanding I say they should stop right now and focus on growing the game in North America.
What are they thinking? They can barely break into the American sports psyche! Make the game more exciting for the viewer and maybe more people will watch. Ratings will go up. Players will make disgustingly more money and the NHL will be healthy enough to grow in Europe.
Don't worry about the Euros. Fans over there are watching because a lot of their players are over here.
What are they thinking? They can barely break into the American sports psyche! Make the game more exciting for the viewer and maybe more people will watch. Ratings will go up. Players will make disgustingly more money and the NHL will be healthy enough to grow in Europe.
Don't worry about the Euros. Fans over there are watching because a lot of their players are over here.
Spitfires Goaltending Situation
The Windsor Spitfires traded for elite goaltender Brandon Maxwell last week. It was a trade for the future and for the present. He was supposed to solidify and add depth to the goaltending position as the Spits eye their first OHL championship since 1988. According to a newspaper report Maxwell is not coming to Windsor this season.
Maxwell was the 2nd goalie taken in the 2007 OHL Draft by Erie. He told the Otters he would not report and committed to play for the US development program. He is currently with the Under-18 team. The Spits needed USA Hockey to grant Maxwell his release from the program in order to bring him into the fold. The highly-touted goalie apparently wants to come to the Rose City but according to the newspaper report USA Hockey is forcing him to honour his commitment.
It's an unfortunate turn of events for Windsor this season. Spits starter Andrew Engelage has done his part in silencing his critics but will the team feel comfortable heading into the playoffs with backup Steve Gleeson. Don't get me wrong. He's a great kid and goalie. The Spits are high on him but what if Engy gets hurt?
The Spits knew what they were getting when they traded for Maxwell. Management knows what Gleeson can do but so far not at the OHL level. They're pretty much a third of the way through the season and he’s only gotten 2 starts and a handful of minutes in a third game.
Some might argue that Kitchener went to the Memorial Cup last season with rookie John Unice in their lineup. True enough but he was 18 years old and saw action in 42 regular season games.
As a rookie with Peterborough in 2006 current London Knights goaltender Trevor Cann went 16-2 with 2 shootout losses during the regular season. With just over 4 minutes of ice time in the Memorial Cup the Petes didn’t have to rely on Cann. They lucked out. Will the Spits?
Maxwell was the 2nd goalie taken in the 2007 OHL Draft by Erie. He told the Otters he would not report and committed to play for the US development program. He is currently with the Under-18 team. The Spits needed USA Hockey to grant Maxwell his release from the program in order to bring him into the fold. The highly-touted goalie apparently wants to come to the Rose City but according to the newspaper report USA Hockey is forcing him to honour his commitment.
It's an unfortunate turn of events for Windsor this season. Spits starter Andrew Engelage has done his part in silencing his critics but will the team feel comfortable heading into the playoffs with backup Steve Gleeson. Don't get me wrong. He's a great kid and goalie. The Spits are high on him but what if Engy gets hurt?
The Spits knew what they were getting when they traded for Maxwell. Management knows what Gleeson can do but so far not at the OHL level. They're pretty much a third of the way through the season and he’s only gotten 2 starts and a handful of minutes in a third game.
Some might argue that Kitchener went to the Memorial Cup last season with rookie John Unice in their lineup. True enough but he was 18 years old and saw action in 42 regular season games.
As a rookie with Peterborough in 2006 current London Knights goaltender Trevor Cann went 16-2 with 2 shootout losses during the regular season. With just over 4 minutes of ice time in the Memorial Cup the Petes didn’t have to rely on Cann. They lucked out. Will the Spits?
Red Bull June issue of In Play! magazine.
This month we take a look at the Red Bull Air Races. In Play! sat down for a one on one exclusive interview with Mike Mangold. Get his thoughts on the course and returning to Detroit.
Check out great articles on all the sports going on here in Detroit and Windsor including, the Pistons, the Shock's quest to defend their title, Tigers and a look at the QB situation over in Allen Park plus a whole lot more.
Also take a look at the Wings run for the Cup.
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