Corvairs set to return
The Caledonia Corvairs, seen here in this file shot two years ago versus the St. Catharines Falcons, are scheduled to return to the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League this fall after a year off. Photo by: SPENCER SMYE PHOTOGRAPHY.
The Caledonia Corvairs are on their way back to the Golden Horseshoe.
The three-time Sutherland Cup champions will be holding their prospects camp this weekend in preparation for their return to the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League this fall.
The Corvairs had take a one-year leave of absence for the 2018/19 season.
The Corvairs have only one player under contract, forward Marino Moro, who was lent to the Hamilton Kilty B’s this season where he scored 22 goals and 57 points in 37 games.
Caledonia general manager Mike Bullard admits starting over from scratch is a daunting task.
“I’m revamping a whole team,” Bullard said. “The hardest thing is not everybody is helping you. They all know Caledonia is starting from scratch so it’s not like they’re calling you.
“You really have to work at it. There are some young kids out there that have a great opportunity to play.”
St. Catharines Falcons head coach/general manager Frank Girhiny feels the league will be stronger overall with the Corvairs back in the fold.
“We had four real strong teams in our league last year and this adds a fifth,” Girhiny said. “This makes everybody be better. That’s what it’s all about.
“It will make us strive to be the best we can be.”
The Corvairs won three consecutive Sutherland Cups from 2014-16 with veteran-laden teams, something Bullard said may change this time around.
“I’m going to spread it out. There are only so many 1999s,” he said. “It’s almost like an expansion year for us. I’m going to go a little younger and see where that takes us and then add some players along the way.”
Bullard enjoyed a year away from the bench, but realizes there is a price to pay for an organization going dormant for a season.
“I’ve watched a lot of games and I was nice to take a step back but that means we got rid of every one of our players. It’s tough to start over mid-stream but we’re up for the challenge.”
Bullard will remain behind the bench, but will turn over head coaching duties to former Stoney Creek bench boss Ric Nattress.
“He was very successful and Ric and I have been best friends for a long time,” Bullard said. “It brings another look into your organization and he’s all excited.
“He’s a great fit for a lot of kids. He’s a teacher. That’s what you need nowadays. You’re not just teaching talent, you’re teaching personalities. You’re dealing with everything.”
Bullard played junior with Nattress in Brantford and again later in the National Hockey League in both Calgary and Toronto.
“I’m going to come on the bench and help him but I want him to take more control as the coach,” Bullard said. “We know exactly what we want to do.”
Bullard will have to wait until player cards become available June 1 to sign any players.
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