Spirit aim to soar to new heights
By Carl Chimenti –
As the Saginaw Spirit prepare to celebrate their 10th anniversary, the team enters the 2011-12 season as serious title contenders in the Ontario Hockey League.
The defending West Division champions will be raising their first championship banner during their opening weekend, and they are poised to go further than last year — when the Windsor Spitfires eliminated the Spirit in six games in the semifinals. The Spirit return a strong cast, and with the exception of inexperienced goaltending, many of their ‘go-to guys’ are back for another season.
In addition, Saginaw added a couple of strong pieces to the puzzle to help strengthen the team. They acquired forward Michael Fine from the Kingston Frontenacs, who joins the team as a replacement for Josh Shalla, who is set to turn pro after scoring a team-record 47 goals last year. Fine, who hails from North York, Ontario, is a proven playmaker that has tallied 60 goals and 150 points in four seasons, including 20 goals and 34 assists last year for the Frontenacs.
Saginaw added size and skill to the blue line signing Jamie Oleksiak, a 2011 first-round (14th overall) pick of the Dallas Stars. The Spirit originally drafted the Toronto, Ontario native 138th overall in 2008. Oleksiak, who played college hockey for Northeastern University as a freshman last season, is a stud at 6-foot-7 and 240 lbs.
General manager and head coach Todd Watson is very happy with his new additions.
“In Michael Fine, what’s not to like,” said Watson, starting his fifth season with the Spirit after spending time in the Plymouth Whalers’ organization. “He can put pucks in the net and points on the board and we see him as a top-six forward.
“Jamie has done well in camp. I went to see him at the rookie tournament in Traverse City and he played very well. He has big size but yet is very mobile, and we see him making a big impact on our hockey team.”
Goaltending
Watson plans on using the hot hand and it’s clear that he believes both Tadeas Galansky and Jake Paterson are capable starters in the OHL.
“I like both these guys and they will each be given a shot to start,” Watson said. “However I would not be surprised if we go with a two-man rotation.”
Galansky was selected by the Spirit in the 2009 OHL Import Draft, and although he is starting his third season, injuries have limited him to just 25 games. Last season he played in 17 games, winning nine and posting a 2.89 goals-against and a .910 save percentage.
Saginaw picked Paterson 32nd overall in the 2010 OHL Priority Draft and the Mississauga, Ontario native appeared in five games, posting three wins, along with a 2.97 goals against and a .907 save percentage.
Watson is not worried about their lack of playing time. “You have to get experience somewhere, you can’t buy it,” Watson said. “Where did the best goaltenders in this league get it from? They started some where.”
Defensemen
Saginaw returns six defensemen from last year’s team. Brandon Archibald (Port Huron), Peter Hermenegildo, Ryan O’Connor, Jacob Ringuette, Dalton Young and Brad Walch (Saginaw), are back, joining Oleksiak and Steven Strong, who was acquired during the off-season from the Belleville Bulls. They bring both, size and skill as well as plenty of experience.
“I like our blue-line,” Watson said. “I thought going in we needed a steady defensive defenseman and I think Strong will provide that for our team. Steven has good skills, but defensive responsibility comes first for him and I think he will add good depth at the back-end.”
Forwards
The depth and quality up front is rock solid. The top six consist of Brandon Saad, John McFarland, Jordan Szwarz, Vincent Trocheck, Garret Ross and Josh Shalla — if he returns.
“The collection of forwards is as good as any,” Watson said. “I think they will be a more productive unit this year.”
Anthony Camara and Justin Kea are two Spirit players who have showed a lot of improvement, and Watson believes both have unlimited potential.
“You can just see the confidence in both players — the way they go about their business in practice and during the games,” Watson said. “The way we brought them along slowly has helped in their development. Justin has been awesome in camp and he has good size (6’4”, 201 lbs) and Anthony is as tough as nails. They both will have bigger roles this season.”
Four new faces will join the fold up front. Vadim Khlopotov, selected from the import draft (43rd overall), brings a combination of speed and skill. Saginaw also added three underagers from the May priority draft — Nick Moutrey (1st round, 15th overall), Sam Povorozniouk (2nd round, 36th overall) and Jimmy Lodge (3rd round, 62nd overall).
Overall outlook
The regime of Watson, associate coach John Kisil and assistant general manager Jim Paliafito has stabilized the Spirit, bringing in quality talent through trades and draft picks. The team no longer talks about making the playoffs, but how far can they go.
“Look at what we have done in the past four to five years,” Watson said. “We have had players drafted regularly into the NHL. We have had a winning record every year and have made the playoffs each year and for the first time last season, we captured the team’s first divisional title. Those are good steps and the best is yet to come for the organization.”