The Kanata Stallions hope to rebound after failing to make the playoffs last season.
Stallions head coach Chris Valentine said he expects a lot of rookies will have to step forward to fill big roles this year with the loss of several key veteran players.
But it will be a struggle, said the team’s new head coach, Chris Valentine, who takes over a team missing the two top scorers and most of its defencemen from last year and no number one goaltender.
The Stallions will skate into the 2009-10 season without forwards Kyle Fletcher and Shayne Thompson, who produced a third of the team’s total goals last year.
“It’s not easy to replace guys like that,” said Valentine. “We’re going to need some of our young players to play big roles for us.”
Kanata will also struggle behind the blueline with only one veteran returning defenceman, Barry Roytman, and the loss of a highly-touted goaltending prospect.
The Stallions ninth overall pick in the Central Junior Hockey League’s 2009 draft, goaltender Sebastien Parker, recently told Valentine he will play for the Shawinigan Cataractes in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this year.
“Certainly it was a huge blow,” said Valentine.
Backups Christian Mastromattei and Jeremy Wright will compete for the number one spot, but there’s also the possibility of an early season trade, said Valentine.
UP TEMPO GAME
Valentine, who coached for several years in the German Elite League, promises to bring a high-pressure game plan to the Stallions.
“We’re going to try to play a very up-tempo game, a very fast game,” he said. “We want to pressure teams.”
Valentine replaces former head coach Justin Nistico, who was fired after the team fell out of the playoffs, for the first time in three years, finishing ninth overall.
Stallions general manager Lou Nistico brought in a new coaching staff, starting with Valentine spent three seasons in the NHL with the Washington Capitals, before playing for the Dusseldorf EG in the German Elite League from 1984-96, capturing the league scoring title five times.
Stallions owner John Russo said Valentine has a “no-nonsense approach to the game which is exactly what is needed here.
“Players need to be accountable and understand that being a Stallion is a privilege and not a right,” Russo said in a press release. “Chris will ensure that message is maintained this season.”
Shane Sullivan, an Ontario Hockey League scout and owner of Top Draft Sports Management, joins the Stallions this season as the team’s new assistant coach and strength and conditioning coach.
Valentine said he wants to ice a competitive team.
“We’re probably going to have a lot of young players this year,” he said. “That’s certainly going to be a challenge for kids coming out of midget or new to this league.
The Stallions invited a host of rookies to this year’s training camp, including 16-year-old defencemen Brendan Rouselle and Jamie Quinn and forwards Kyle Rankin and David Michelin.
Rouselle was taken fourth overall in this year’s CJHL draft, designated a protected player by the Stallions in the first round.
“We have a good crop of rookies,” said Valentine. “We’re anxious to see them play in exhibition games.”
The Stallions haven’t named a team captain yet, but expect leadership to come from veterans Brandon Timm, Allan McPherson and Roytman.
The Stallions will play in the showcase weekend in Carleton Place on Sept. 11 to 12.
“We’re looking forward to the season,” said Valentine. “I know things have been a little dry over the last couple of years. We want to get things going, where the Stallions have a good basis going forward from year to year.”
The Stallions open their regular season home schedule against the Carleton Place Canadians at the KRC on Sept. 15, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Information from: http://cjhl.pucksystems2.com/page/show_article/27881-news/32537
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