The warm weather doesn’t make you want to think about hockey, but it’s that time of year hockey gets started. The World Cup and Stayner Siskins are good examples. The Siskins have already played two games this season.
For the Stayner team, optimism is running at a high that we haven’t seen or heard around these parts in many years. They’ve got a new head coach in Dave Steele and several players with Major Junior A and Tier II Junior A experience on the club.
Said Siskins general manager, Richard Gauthier, the players wanted to come home (Barrie) and get their careers going.
Some are going to college and others have started apprenticeships. A bunch were playing summer hockey and they thought they would like to play together.
The stars seem to be lining up for the new head coach as the players decided that their group could possibly play together in Stayner.
The club already had some good returning players and signed some other young players with hockey acumen. This team should challenge Alliston Hornets for the Georgian Bay Mid Ontario Junior C championship.
Added Gauthier, “We’re going after [Alliston]. These guys want to win a championship and take a chunk out of Alliston’s heels.”
Stayner got the opportunity a week ago Friday in an away game. Alliston got things rolling in the first period scoring twice on goaltender Allan Menary. In the second and third periods, the teams exchanged one goal apiece with Stayner getting noticeably better as each period progressed. Kevin Boyd and Ben Hughes were the Stayner scorers.
Yes, the game was a loss and despite a shaky first period the Stayner squad held the score close, 4-2. Stayner is not that far off of beating the perennially provincial final four team.
Gauthier told me before the game that he was happy with the goaltending and the team can score. He felt that the club needed to continue to bolster their defensive corps.
Two days earlier in Orillia, Stayner annihilated the Teriers 11-1 in their season opener. Enjoying goals were Zack Trott, 2, Austin Fischer, 2, Nolan King, Nick Medica, JD Falconer, Ben Skuce, Kevin Boyd, Ben Hughes and Jackson Clarke.
Stayner doesn’t play at home until Thursday, Oct. 6 when they take on Alliston in a re-match. Siskins management will unveil their new home and away jerseys in the opening ceremonies.
Tonight, the team plays in Penetang against the Kings and next Thursday and Friday against Schomberg and Midland.
Siskins outgoing public relations director, Lori Clarke, in promoting the team forwarded information on this year’s players.
J.D. Falconer, forward, Barrie
Last season played for the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) Tier II Aurora Tigers and British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) Victoria Grizzlies. Before making the leap to Junior A, he skated for St. Andrew’s College, Aurora and was developed through the Barrie Colts ‘AAA’ system. He has the ability to put the puck in the net.
Mack Falconer, forward, Barrie
Falconer also played last season at St. Andrew’s, but saw limited action due to injury. Brother of JD Falconer. He too played at the Barrie Colts ‘AAA’ level. He plays an aggressive game.
Ben Hughes, forward, Barrie
A 19-year-old who played Junior ‘B’ last season with Ancaster Avalanche. Hughes also played with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Niagara IceDogs for one year and a half. He will see a lot of power play time.
Austin Fischer, defenceman, 20, Barrie
A former alternate captain with the OJHL’s Whitby Fury, the six-foot-one 220 pounder played last season with Tottenham Steam in the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL) helping the team to win the Russell Cup as league champions.
Michael Holmes, defenceman, Barrie
Holmes will see time on the Siskins power play. The second round OHL pick, played three years in the Western Conference’s with the Michigan-based Saginaw Spirit.
Zack Trott, forward, Honeywood
Trott is the son of Bryan Trott, considered by many to be one of the most talented players to ever wear the green and gold. He will wear his father’s number 5. The young Trott is also a cousin to veteran Siskin Jackson Clarke. Trott is a 14th-round pick (270th overall) of the Soo Greyhounds in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection draft. He played ‘AAA’ hockey with the Grey-Bruce Highlanders last season scoring 26 goals and 24 assists in 36 games.
Nolan King, forward, 18, Barrie
Last season, the quick forward was the leading scorer for the Junior B St. Mary’s Lincolns. He also developed through the Barrie Colts ‘AAA’ program.
Allan Menary, goalie, 19, Barrie
Played goal in the Northern Ontario Junior A Hockey League (NOJHL) last season posting a 2.27 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage in 13 regular-season games. Alumnus of Barrie Colts ‘AAA’ system.
Nick Medica, defenceman, 19
Medica, a right-handed shot, comes with experience having played for the GMHL’s Bracebridge Blues and the Midwestern Junior ‘C’ Delhi Travellers.
Kevin Boyd, defenceman, 20, Caledon
Last year, Boyd split time with two Junior B teams, Niagara Canucks andt. Catharines Falcons where he played seven games.
Jake Rowbotham, forward, Stayner
This is Rowbotham’s first taste of Junior hockey. He learned the game through the Stayner Minor Hockey program. When he’s on the ice the other team knows it.
Hayden Ford, goalie, 18
Goalie formerly of the GMHL Colborne Chiefs. He earned the win against Orillia blocking 21 of 22 shots.
Kyle Lafreniere, 21, forward, Stayner
This marks Lafreniere’s fifth season with the club. He is one of the team’s overage players and was named captain for the 2016-’17 season. He is more than a point of a game scorer accumulating 35 points in 33 games last year.
Jackson Clarke, 21, forward, Creemore
Signed by the club as the other overage player. Clarke is a gritty forward who plays the game like his namesake, Wendel Clarke. Wears his heart on his sleeve. Leader on and off the ice.
Lucas Jeffery, 19, forward, Stayner
The speedster can put the puck in the net as well as set up a play. He finished second on the team in scoring last year with 22 goals and 22 assists. Has good hockey IQ.
Ben Skuce, forward, 20, Barrie
This marks the big forward’s second season with the team. Skuce played for the Midland Flyers but the Siskins general manager traded for him.
Sean “Max” Healy, forward, 20, Innisfil
Healy is a streaky goal scorer but highly gifted. This is his fourth season in Stayner. He has played 102 games for the Siskins notching 41 goals and 63 assists for 104 points.
Kyle Paulitzki, forward
Every team needs a Paulitzki. A player with good speed and drives to the net hard. Plays on the penalty kill unit.
Mark Dupont, defenceman, Collingwood
A physical 17-year-old defenceman who learned the position playing AAA hockey for Halton Hurricanes, Barrie Colts and Grey Bruce Highlanders.
Trevor Franklin, defenceman, 20, Stayner
Fourth year Siskin has good skills, moves the puck well, power play specialist and is dependable on the blue line.