CK Hockey Players At OHL Camps

With Junior C, B, and A camps already underway and making cuts, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is also kicking off this week with training camps opening across the Province.

Locally, Brendan Johnston, Drew Marlatt, and Anthony Hurtubuise will suit up at the Windsor Spitfires camp. Johnston, who made his OHL debut last season and spent most of the year with the Chatham Maroons, has a legitimate shot to start as the Spitfires’ backup this season. Marlatt was the Great Lakes Junior C rookie of the year last season, and is expected to play Junior B, while Hurtubuise was a goalie with the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Midget ‘AAA’ team, and drafted by Windsor in this springs OHL draft. Windsor’s camp opens Monday, with scrimmages, open to the public beginning Tuesday.

The Guelph Storm open their camp August 26, with Chatham Maroons forward James McEwan being called a “player to watch” by the Storm. He had a stint with the Storm midseason, and will fight for a full time roster spot this season. Also entering Storm camp is defenseman Levi Tetrault, who captained the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Midget ‘AAA’ team last season. A 4th round pick of the Storm, Tetrault is expected to play Junior B in Chatham this season, but could be a call up to the Storm. As well, former Chatham resident Brock Philips, a 5th round pick by the Storm this season, will also be in camp.

Thamesville’s Trent Fox will be the lone Chatham-Kent prospect in camp with the Erie Otters when they open their camp Tuesday. Fox signed with the Otters this month, and will be expected to start the season in the OHL. Fox played for Ridley College last season, and was a 2013 5th round pick of the Otters.

Brady Pataki of Wallaceburg, who signed this past week with the Sudbury Wolves, will open his first OHL camp this week as well, and battle for a position with the Wolves. Pataki was Sudbury’s 4th round selection in this years OHL draft.

Brendan Harrogate of Chatham will be with the Mississauga Steelheads starting Wednesday, August 27, as the Steelheads open camp. Harrogate, a skilled forward who is expected to play with the Chatham Maroons this season, was a 7th round pick of the Steelheads last year.

The Ottawa 67s open training camp on Wednesday, with Clachan’s Travis Konecny, the reigning OHL Rookie of the Year back, and entering his NHL draft season, projected as an NHL first rounder. Tilbury’s Nolan Gardiner, who was drafted by the 67s in 2014 will also be in camp.

Chatham’s Dede Cato will be at camp this week with the Kitchener Rangers when they open camp. Cato, if he does not crack the Rangers lineup as a free agent, will be playing Junior A in the OJHL with the Toronto Patriots.

Chatham’s Austin Bentley is another local, who was invited to the Sarnia Stings camp this year.

As well, veteran Steven Beenackers could be in Owen Sound’s camp again this year.

While this list includes the vast majority of Chatham-Kent players at OHL camps, it isn’t all encompassing, as some players have been free agent invites and last minute additions to camps.