New look Falcons hit the ice
Tyler Bielby’s first summer as general manager of the St. Catharines Falcons has been a hectic one.
Bielby took over the reigns from long-time GM Frank Girhiny in May and has been working virtually non-stop.
“I’ve learned there is no off season when you take over the controls,” Bielby said from the Seymour-Hannah Sports Complex where the Falcons began training camp this week. “It definitely keeps you busy.
“I don’t think there was a day this summer when we weren’t talking to a boy or having a conversation. It’s been a great experience. We think we’ve brought it some great young guys who are ready to get to work and be successful.”
Bielby had high work cut out for him too — the Falcons have turned over virtually their entire roster with only Owen Simpson, Cal Reesor, Mitch Dymtrow, Cal Petrovski, Colin Ewing, Zach Mizzi and Michael Colavecchia returning from the last two seasons.
“I think what’s exciting this year is there’s so much room, so much opportunity in our lineup,” he said. “Whether you’re fighting for a spot or not, you’re fighting for opportunity, fighting for minutes. This is a chance for these guys to show us how they want to help and contribute to the team.”
The Falcons opened camp with about 30 players vying for a handful of positions.
“There will still be a good, healthy battle for some depth spots which will drive the competition,” Bielby said. “We’re pretty set. For the most part, we have our team and then we’re going to have the players we’re looking to AP as well as some of the younger guys in the 08 age group to come out and have a skate and get a taste of what junior hockey is all about.”
The Falcons have several big holes to fill. Captain Jonah Boria, Nate Robertson, Kyle Glenney, Blake Yetman, Nate Shirton and Cam Knight were lost to graduation while the likes of Colton Chipman, Jordan Schanbacher, Lucas Tuin, Stephen Toltl, Cam Lowe, Chris Reid and Parker Forlin have moved on to other leagues or organizations.
“I think any time you lose young men you like as human beings, never mind the hockey side, it’s tough,” Bielby said. “But we’ve also brought in some great young men. There are a few guys out and a few more coming in. That’s how this game works. We’re sad to see anyone go, but we’re really happy with the guys we’ve brought in to be part of this.”
Among the notable newcomers are defenceman William Moore from Pickering and forwards Zach Mambella from the junior C Grimsby Peach Kings and Caleb Thompson from Cobourg of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League.
Gavin Disano, a 20-year-old who played last season with Blind River of the Norther Ontario Junior Hockey League and Grimsby’s Hayden Jeffery, who was drafted by Niagara IceDogs in the OHL U18 Priority Selection, will handle the goaltending chores.
The Falcons will get a chance to see the newcomers in action at the Eli Palfreyman Global Invitational Tournament set for August 24-27 in Ayr. The Falcons take on Kitchener-Waterloo Thursday at 4 p.m. in their first game.
The Falcons will also play a home-and-home exhibition series versus Welland Sept. 6 at Welland and Sept. 8 in St. Catharines in preparation for their regular season opener Friday, Sept. 15 versus the Caledonia Corvairs. The Corvairs are coached this season by Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Zenon Konopka.
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