Cyclones Drawing Attention Early
Joseph Raaymakers at the All-State All-Canadians Mentorship camp – Photo from NHLPA All-Canadians
The Minor Midget Chatham-Kent Cyclones ‘AAA’ team are off to a strong start, winning nearly half of their first dozen games. The Cyclones sit with a 5-5-3 record, having gone 4-0-2 in their last six games.
After participating in the All-State All-Canadiens camp this summer, which brings together NHL players and the country’s top prospects, goaltender Joseph Raaymakers is the top draw for OHL scouts this season. The Chatham netminder has the top save percentage in the Alliance Hockey, and sits among the league leaders in all other categories.
Chatham’s Blair Derynck currently leads the Cyclones in scoring, while a duo of Pain Court residents, forward Ross Krieger and defenseman Levi Tetrault have also impressed early. Other forwards including Nick Delyzer, Brendan Harrogate, and Brad Maxim, have also taken turns hitting the scoresheet this season.
Over the weekend, the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Midgets picked up a pair of ties. Saturday, Wallaceburg’s Brad Maxim scored the lone goal in a 1-1 goaltenders dual against the Lambton Jr. Sting. Raaymakers made 32 saves in the game, while his former counterpart, Nolan Hakr of Chatham, made 21 saves for Lambton.
Sunday, facing the Brantford 99ers the Cyclones battled to a 2-2 draw. Ben Nicholls and Ross Krieger scored for Chatham-Kent in the game.
Last season, Chatham-Kent Cyclones players and alumni Travis Konecny, Brendan Johnston, Drew Marlatt, James McEwan, Trent Fox, and Mike Zottl were also picked in the OHL draft.