Panthers retool for 2019
The Pelham Panthers lost about half their roster from last season, but head coach Mark Barrick isn’t worried.
The veteran bench boss is well aware losing players to graduation and to higher levels of hockey or school is all part of the process at the junior B level.
“We’ve been fortunate through a lot of hard work that we’re in a really good spot right now,” Barrick said. “We’ve got some excellent players signed who are committed to the program and the team and we’re happy about that.”
Barrick didn’t want to get into the specifics of who has come aboard, but did say they all fit the Panther mold.
“We have great character and guys that want to work their tails off and know they have to learn,” he said. “We’re really excited as an organization about the guys we signed.
“It’s a good group who are meshing already. We’v had some fun summer skates and a good bunch of hard-working, non-individual hockey players.”
The Panthers still have some holes to fill after losing Adam Scholz, Owen Allen, Logan Warner, Chris Webber, Jackson Barrett, Matt Ruigrock, Brendan Charlton, captain Tomas Young and goaltender Brandon McCorriston to graduation. As well, forward Curtis Emery and defenceman Nathan Gallen have moved away to attend school.
Barrick admits times have changed from the days when players beat a path to the rink just to be part of the local junior B squad.
“Things are changing in the dynamic of today’s game. Every kid has a 100 opportunities. They’ll play this team and then go to that team and then maybe to this team. They spend a fortune on a lot of different camps instead of just making a decision and making a good one,” he said. “It’s not don’t do anything all summer and in August 120 kids show up to play.
“Those days are all gone.”
Barrick expects between 35-40 players to be on the ice when the Panthers open camp Aug. 12.
“That’s guys who are on the team and committed to the team and guys who have been around all summer who are still fighting for spots and invites we’re still bringing in from wherever,” he said.
The Panthers do feature some solid cornerstone pieces back from last season.
Nichloas Kidd gives Pelham a legitimate goaltender while Mike Butterfield and Lyall Shaw return on defence.
“They give us some speed and size and puck-moving ability and are character guys,” Barrick said.
Up front, Dylan Biggar, speedy Devin Sanders, Michael Marchesan and Noah Caperchione are all back. As well, Brodie Thoms, who was injured early in the season after collecting 10 goals and 16 points in 22 games, is expected to return.
“He’s got a clean bill from the doctors,” Barrick said. “He’s skating over the summer to get back into shape. We’re ecstatic to get him back in the lineup.”
Barrick is curious to see what his final roster will look like.
“For anybody that’s coming into camp that hasn’t signed, they’re going to have to play to the way of the team that we have already somewhat built,” he said. “We’re going to be a much faster hockey club. We’ve got tons of goal scoring and (we will be a) quick transition, quick movement hockey club. We’re going to be young but we’re going to learn as a group the way the game needs to be played in 200 feet.
“I’m excited about it.”
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