Falcons hungry to repeat
The St. Catharines Falcons had a dream 2021/22 season, culminating with the organization’s second Sutherland Cup, a perfect way to say goodbye to the Jack Gatecliff Arena.
The Falcons, who begin defence of their championship Thursday in Hamilton, have once again sent their sights high for the 2022/23 Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League season.
“I think the first step is to show up hungry for that encore,” Falcons coach Tyler Bielby said. “That’s our mindset and our goal is to match it. We had a goal in mind right from the beginning last year. We stuck to that process, and as a result, we experienced success. In reflection, we don’t want to approach anything differently, therefore the goal this year is to go win the big championship.”
The Falcons had a tight-knit dressing room last season, something Bielby feels will once again be a strength this time around.
“(We have) a lot of high-end character, which I think was a big part to our success last year,” he said. “To win the final game, your dressing room has to be really tight and I haven’t seen much of a difference coming into the season this year.”
The Falcons had one of the most impressive defensive teams in league history last season and Bielby feels the club will once again be strong in that area.
Back on defence are new captain Jonah Boria along with mobile Jordan Schanbacher, reliable Cal Reesor and local product Mitch Dymtrow.
Bielby has been especially impressed with rookie rearguard Lucas Tuin, a 16-year-old Dunnville native who was selected by the Peterborough Petes in the sixth round of the Ontario Hockey League draft.
“Tuin has been so impressive with just his pure man strength at such a young age,” Bielby said. “He’s big, powerful and a great skater and I think he’s going to add a lot of value to our blueline knowing we lost such key pieces back there.”
Up front, Nate Shirton, Nate Robertson, Jagger North, Kyle Glenney, Mitch Armstrong, Owen Simpson and Chris Reid all return.
“We have a good core coming back and are excited to move forward with them,” Bielby said.
Rookie Parker Forlin, a 16-year-old Niagara Falls native who was a fourth-round selection of the Barrie Colts, has also caught Bielby’s eye.
“He has a tremendous skills set and does things at a different level already as a 16-year-old,” Bielby said.
Cam Knight, a 20-year-old Barrie native who played last season with the Listowel Cyclones, has been added and is expected to be an impact forward.
Josh Johnson, who backed up Andrew MacLean in goal last season, will get a chance to prove his worth this season.
“We had a lot of trust in Josh and he was going to be our guy last year before we came across Mac,” Bielby said. “We’re confident and excited he can come in and be that guy this year as a 20-year-old and really get into some sort of repetition and build some confidence.
“We believe he can get the job done.”
Steve Toltl, a 17-year-old Hamilton native, will act as back-up.
Bielby is eager to start the season.
“No one is going to win a Sutherland Cup now or three months from now but the boys in the room are the ones who are here now and that’s who we’re going to set our goals with,” he said. “We believe the way we’re getting started we can be successful at the end. If anything changes in the midterm that brings value to our team, great. But in the meantime our focus will be on the guys inside those four walls.”
The Falcons host the Welland Junior Canadians Friday in their home opener at their new home, the Seymour-Hannah Sports Complex, at 7 p.m. The Falcons will unveil their Sutherland Cup championship banner and present the team with their championship rings before the game.
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