Local Junior C Camps Get Underway This Week
After a long summer of changes, local Great Lakes Junior C teams are getting back on the ice this week to begin putting their rosters together for the coming season.
In Chatham-Kent, team’s saw a huge turnover of front office positions this offseason. In Dresden, former Chatham Maroons bench boss Marc Swayze was handed the head coaches and general managers positions replacing Bob Gould (coach) and Wayne Cowell (general manager). Cowell moved across the 401 to serve as the new general manager of the Blenheim Blades. In Wallaceburg, long time coach Mark Davis moved up to the head coaching position with the Lambton Shores Predators, while former assistant coaches BJ Charpentier and Paul Grealis took over the head coaching and general managers positions respectively. Down the road in Wheatley, the Sharks’ staff is the only in Chatham-Kent to remain untouched.
Last season, the Wallaceburg Lakers finsihed first overall in the regular season standings before being upset by the Wheatley Sharks. The Lakers will battle the loss of several key veterans including Nash Lozon, who has moved into an assistant coaches role, as well as starting goalie Matt Berglund, assistant captain Tyler Lewis and top defensman Wayd Pitfield.
The Wheatley Sharks, the team that upset the Wallaceburg Lakers in the playoffs, remains with much of their team intact, minus Captain Andy Stevenson, who will leave the team as an overager.
Blenheim also returns the majority of their team and looks to build on their 8th place finish through internal development and acquiring a few young role players. Dresden, who finished last overall, should see most of the top end players on their roster return, however, the club will need an infusion of talent through their training camp and a push from new coach marc Swayze to see them exit the league’s basement.
Wallaceburg opens the season Friday, September 16 on the road in Dresden, and also travels to Blenheim for their season opener on Sunday, September 18. Wheatley kicks off their seasons the following night at home against the Mooretown Flags.