What's in a Prediction?

As the Ice Dogs get ready to open their season Saturday, I like many of you wonder just how they will fare this year.  Gone are Swift, Legein and Caputi.  There is a very good chance that Pietrangelo could be missing for at least part of the early going, if not the entire year.  They lack OHL experience between the pipes.  So who knows, the Kitchener-Waterloo Record could be right when they predicted recently that Niagara could be headed for last place in the East.

 

But that type of thinking may be selling this team short.  In the 2005/2006 season, the Mississauga Ice Dogs finished 9TH in the East with only 49 points.  Young Stefan Legein had only 7 goals while Luca Caputi had a mere 3 points.  Goaltending was a huge question mark.  There were many more questions than answers as MIssissauga headed into 2006/2007.

 

Then, a funny thing happened on the way to the rink.  Pietrangelo arrived.  Andrew Loverock grew into an OHL calibre goaltender.  Michael Swift developed into the leader we all saw on the ice last year.  Luca and Stefan became front line players.  The team left Mississauga with a 90 point season and playoff experience under its belt.

 

My point is this.  Nothing is as constant in Junior Hockey as changing lineups.  Count on the likes of DeSousa and Friesen to become front line players this year.  Piva and Middup should lend solid experince to the forwards.  Freddie Hamilton will get a good look this year to prove he was worthy of a first round pick.  Day and Schiestel should be back to anchor the blueline.  Provided the team plays with some discipline I would say 4TH place in the East is not out of the question. And who knows, maybe the Erie Times prediction of 1ST in the Division and 2ND in the Conference is not out of reach.  After all, the great thing about pre-season prognostication is that we can't all be wrong.  I am, after all, just a humble TV Host.

 

Finally, a quick note as Killer gets set to bid adieu to OHL Coaching.  Over 2100 games coached in the OHL and over 1100 wins to show for it.  This is a record we are not ever likely to see equaled, let alone broken.  Brian Kilrea is one of a kind.  Take it from someone who has interviewed him several times, he is known to be gruff and not to tolerate fools easily.  He has however, carved out a career worth of the utmost respect and admiration.  As a league where most coaches (like the players) are looking to move on to the next level, nobody has ever lasted as long as Brian.  And probably, nobody ever will again.  All the best Brian as you move on to the next phase of your career.  At 73, you have earned it!