Blackhawks roster shaping up
It has been a relatively quiet off season thus far for the Thorold Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks, coming off a season which saw them finish in fifth place with a 20-23-1-4 record, expect the bulk of that team to return for the upcoming Golden Horseshoe campaign.
“We didn’t really need to do a lot,” Blackhawks coach/owner Scott Barnes said. “There are guys we are focused on that we want to bring in. We’re settling in a pretty good spot I think.”
The Hawks have moved some players on to tier 2 junior A — forwards Evan Miller, Mario Zitella, Riley Sutherland, Alex Mourani and defencemen Michael Craig and Jonathan Balah — but Barnes said that was to be expected.
“We’re losing some guys to junior A but those are all guys we knew we were losing so it’s no surprise,” Barnes said. “ We have the potential to bring back 15 guys which is a lot different than the previous two seasons. It’s a lot nicer than to have only to fill couple of spots than 20 spots. It’s been a nice summer for that.”
Barnes said he expects competition to be intense for spots when training camp opens Aug. 19.
“We had our rookie camp back in May and I do a lot of stuff in the summer so we pretty much know what we’re going to look like,” Barnes said. “There will be a spot or two up front for a couple of guys to battle out and then on the back end, there’s probably a couple of spots to battle for.
“There’s going to be some battles, even veteran guys trying to hold on to their spots. We’re in a position where we could be moving out some veterans for some younger guys if they get beat out of spots.”
One position that would appear set is in goal where Chase Grsic, coming off an impressive rookie season, and former Niagara Falls Canuck Noah Fortuna are set. Grsic is attending camp with the Ontario Hockey League’s Owen Sound Attack and his possible promotion could leave a spot in net open.
Barnes has two seasons of experience running the Hawks under his belt since purchasing the team and feels the best is yet to come.
“It’s not even close to being the same level of stress and everything,” he said. “This summer has been very easy because we knew even in a worst-case scenario what our team was going to look like. Any improvement in any area was just a bonus to us.
“It’s been nice.”
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
