Donate
Search the site here:


Stars' prospects camp

 On the ice reaching for the Stars

 

   Players aim to impress at the Junior B team's prospects camp

Monday May 14, 2018

 

  • Stars prospects camp
  • Stars prospects camp
  • Stars prospects camp
  • Stars prospects camp


 

 

 

By Rob J. Ross 

ST. THOMAS - A constant adventure for junior hockey coaches and general managers, is finding players for their teams.

This past weekend, St. Thomas Stars' GM Joe Daniels, head coach Darren Kelly and their staff kept busy observing and taking notes on players, attending the Junior B team's prospect's camp, at the Timken Centre.

Over 40 players at the two day camp, had a shared goal of playing hockey at a higher level.

"Usually out of a rookie camp, we sign three or four guys and invite 15 into main camp in August," Kelly said. "We look at and try to commit to our 16-year olds by the end of the weekend. There are a lot of 17 year olds who either played major midget or junior C last year. We look at those guys to see who we'd offer a spot too."

Kelly not only looks for what a player offers, but how the player will strengthen the Stars.

"Hockey smarts to me. Everybody can usually skate nowadays," Kelly says. "It comes to down what our needs are. We check into their history and background and if they fit into what we're trying to build here."

After a season when the Stars advanced to the second round for the first time since 2011, there are positions to fill, following graduation of players or those likely to stick with their OHL teams.

Kelly expects defenceman Mason Millman will be in Saginaw. Ryan Bangs staying with the London Knights and centerman Peter Fleming with the Barrie Colts, are strong possibilities.

There is also the eye on players who have recently moved into the area to attend school at either Western University or Fanshawe College.

"If we see a 17-year or 18 year old who can step in for us next year, we may commit to them right now so they don't have to worry about looking for a spot come August," said Kelly.

Many 16 year olds have aspirations of playing in the OHL, or Junior B, but the reality is a majority won't reach either level of hockey.

"There's a lot of pressure on these kids, especially the 16-year olds. They all want a junior spot. Most of them aren't drafted (by OHL teams)," said Kelly.  "It's about building relationships. There are some kids looking for a spot, some direction and if we can help them out, that's what we're here for."

One option for players not quite at the B level, is Junior C. Four teams in that loop are no more than 30 minutes outside of St. Thomas, including the Dorchester Dolphins. Their GM and head coach, Tim Flynn, was at the rink catching a few periods of the Stars' green and white game, the final skate for the camp. Likely also watching one of his players from this past season, Dylan Van Dusen.

"We're looking for players who can play junior C. There are obviously players here (Stars camp) who will make a junior B team," said Flynn. "We're looking for D and with Browny gone, we have to find a goalie."

Riley Brown, who set a number of team goaltending marks for the Dolphins, will be tough to replace as will forward Lucas Wilson.

"We're not going to find another Wilson," said Flynn. "He was a dynamite player."

The Dolphins have their prospects' camp, Sunday, May 27, in Dorchester.

Stars welcome Oldham to the Galaxy

The Stars have committed to six foot one forward Russell Oldham, a St. Thomas native, who played five games last season with his hometown team, twice during the playoffs.

"Since I was eight years old, I've grown up watching the Stars play and to finally get to suit up myself is really cool," said Oldham, a student at Parkside CI.

His call-up from the Huron-Perth Lakers' major midget team to St. Thomas during this past season, gave Oldham valuable junior hockey experience. Oldham had a hat trick and one assist in his third game with the Stars.

"It showed me the pace of the game and how I need to move the puck a lot faster because the players are moving faster and you need to have your head up all of the time, said Oldham, who is happy knowing he'll be fulltime heading in to main camp in August. "It's a relief. It will still be a grind in the summer to make sure I'm prepared for the start of the season."

 

 

 

 


        rob@hometownplay.ca