Season Opens For CK OHLers
Brendan Harrogate of the Mississauga Steelheads is one of seven CK hockey players opening their OHL season this weekend – Photo by Dan Hickling/ OHL Images
The OHL season also marks the beginning of a Junior hockey career for OHL first round draft pick Grayson Ladd. Ladd was selected 13th overall by the Kitchener Rangers in last springs OHL Priority Selection Draft.
Ladd and the Rangers will open their 2017-2018 season September 22 against the Flint Firebirds on home ice.
The Guelph Storm welcome back a pair of local products in James McEwan and Levi Tetrault. Last season, the 1997 born McEwan scored 19 goals and 39 points in 58 games for the Storm. Tetrault, a 1998 born defender had 2 assists in 31 games. Guelph opens up on home ice September 22 against the Sarnia Sting.
Brendan Harrogate and Trent Fox return to the Mississauga Steelheads. Thamesville’s Trent Fox enters his final OHL season, joining Mississauga midway through last season after being acquired from the Hamilton Bulldogs. He had his lowest point output since his rookie OHL season, collecting 13 goals and 32 points in 64 games, before adding 14 points in 20 playoff games. Harrogate had 16 goals and 23 points in 45 games. Mississauga will host the Ottawa 67s September 22 to open their year.
Joseph Raaymakers is looking for a new team after not reporting to Soo Greyhounds camp. He is looking to prove once and for all he can be a top tier starter in the OHL, and requested a trade from the Greyhounds prior to their training camp. After losing his starting job last season to rookie Matt Villalta, Raaymakers rebounded with a spectacular playoff appearance, playing in 10 games and collecting a 1.95 GAA and .942 save percetage. In 41 regular season game, Raaymakers posted 3.38 GAA and .889 save percentage statistics.
Finally, Nolan Gardiner of the Ottawa 67s will look to have a breakout season. In 47 games last season with the 67s, Gardiner had 2 goals and 7 assists. Ottawa opens their OHL schedule September 21 on the road against the Barrie Colts.
In the QMJHL, Wallaceburg’s Brady Pataki is also playing Major Junior, after making the move from the London Knights to the Moncton Wildcats.