The summer season is unofficially over however for an excellent purpose. On Thursday, the Windsor Spitfires hit the ice to begin their 2024-25 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) coaching camp. After a busy offseason, there are a number of tales price watching.
It’s been a protracted, chaotic summer season for the group. After ending second final within the league final season (following back-to-back first seeds within the Western Convention), that they had the first-overall decide in April’s OHL Draft, the third decide in July’s Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft, signed quite a few draft picks, and employed Greg Walters as their new head coach. In addition they hosted Canada’s Nationwide Juniors for a couple of days on the finish of July. Now, the staff heads into coaching camp seeking to construct on the summer season momentum. Nonetheless, there are nonetheless a number of tales to observe earlier than the season begins.
5. Growth of 2023 Draft Class
The Spitfires’ 2022 Draft class, led by captain Liam Greentree, has confirmed to be excellent. Nonetheless, their 2023 class has some work to do and should present they’ll have a long-term influence on the membership.
After a run to the OHL Championship in 2022, normal supervisor Invoice Bowler went all-in on the January 2023 commerce deadline to attempt once more. Sadly, it sacrificed a part of the longer term. In offers for forwards Shane Wright and Brett Harrison, plus defenceman Jacob Holmes, the membership traded away a number of picks within the second, third, and fourth rounds of the 2023 OHL Draft. It left the Spitfires with a first-round decide, however then nothing till the fifth spherical.
Their first-round decide, ahead Jack Nesbitt, was eased into the lineup final season. He completed with 9 objectives and 18 factors in 58 video games, together with 10 factors in his final 15 video games. He’s going to be counted on to take that subsequent step and work into an even bigger position.
Sadly, he was the one one who made an influence from the draft. Their fifth-round decide, Adrian Manzo, spent many of the season with the LaSalle Vipers Junior B staff. The offensive defenceman noticed motion in 5 OHL video games when the Spitfires had accidents or suspensions and confirmed properly. Their sixth-round decide, Michael Lavigne, was in the identical scenario with 44 video games for the Vipers and three within the OHL.
No one else from the draft class noticed OHL motion final season. The Spitfires want Nesbitt to degree up early on, they want Manzo and Lavigne to strongly press for a roster spot, and having a fourth participant present he can compete within the league could be an enormous bonus. Having only one participant from the draft on this season’s roster could be a tricky capsule for the membership to swallow.
4. The Battle for Crease Time
If the Spitfires’ crease seems to be a bit brighter in camp, that’s as a result of there’s a large highlight on it.
Coming into final season, veteran goaltender Joey Costanzo, then 18-years-old, was anticipated to take management of the crease and run with it. After a 3.03 goals-against common (GAA) and .901 save proportion (SV%) in 2022-23, all eyes have been on the teen to proceed that improvement. As a substitute, with a shaky, inexperienced defence in entrance of him, his numbers dropped in 2023-24 to a 5.09 GAA and .855 SV%. Whereas had had some strong outings, they weren’t as widespread as everybody anticipated.
Now Costanzo heads into camp as a 19-year-old and it might be as much as him to determine the longer term. The Spitfires have 2022 sixth-round decide Carter Froggett able to pounce after placing up a 2.64 GAA and .914 SV% with the London Nationals Jr. B membership final season. He noticed some motion final season whereas Costanzo was unavailable and didn’t look misplaced. In addition they have newly-signed 2024 seventh-round decide Jake Windbiel, who’s thought of to be a high prospect from the draft.
In whole, there can be seven goaltenders making an attempt to indicate they belong with the membership this season. Whereas the beginning position needs to be Costanzo’s to lose, it is a battle that might come all the way down to the wire.
3. How Fast Can Ethan Belchetz Modify to the OHL?
One of many silver linings to the Spitfires ending second final within the OHL final season was the flexibility to win the highest decide in April’s draft. Bowler made little hesitation to pick out the OHL Cup Most Useful Participant, 6-foot-5, 230-pound ahead Ethan Belchetz out of the Oakville Rangers. With 46 objectives and 84 factors in simply 34 video games, he’s a person amongst boys. The query is – how shortly can he modify to the OHL degree?
Whereas most rookies, even first-round picks, are introduced alongside slowly, it wouldn’t be a shock if Belchetz is given each alternative to maneuver up the lineup as quickly as attainable. Since he arrived on the WFCU Centre in Windsor, he’s come throughout as a mature younger man who’s keen to absorb each bit of knowledge and recommendation the group can provide him. That may profit him, not solely within the quick time period, however over the lengthy haul.
Associated: Windsor Spitfires Title Ethan Belchetz Prime Decide in 2024 OHL Draft
No one is anticipating him to attain a hat trick in each pre-season sport or 40 objectives on the season. Nonetheless, a clean adjustment to the league and gradual improvement could be an enormous win for the Spitfires and himself.
2. Is Mathurin Sufficient to Flip Defence Round?
Let’s be clear – the Spitfires’ defence final season was nothing wanting atrocious. They gave up double-digit objectives 4 occasions and allowed 360 objectives in 68 video games, essentially the most since they allowed 379 in 70 video games in 1983-84. A part of that was on the teaching methods; they broke down across the objective and couldn’t discover a solution to cease the onslaught. Nonetheless, one other half was a major lack of expertise heading into the season.
After having a veteran-laden group in 2022-23, Bowler traded away a number of leaders in hopes of getting again picks and youth. The consequence was a bunch that had two returning veterans – 17-year-old Anthony Cristoforo and 20-year-old James Jodoin – whereas the remaining had a cup of espresso on the OHL degree. Jodoin was quickly launched as a result of numbers and, whereas the staff tried so as to add veterans because the season went on, they weren’t sufficient.
Final season was a trial-by-fire technique from Bowler however, earlier this month, he went out and received 20-year-old Tnias Mathurin from the North Bay Battalion for picks. The previous Detroit Pink Wings’ prospect has some slick offence however takes delight in his defence and shutting down the opposite groups’ high strains. It’s simply what the Spitfires wanted. Nonetheless, is that sufficient?
The membership comes into camp hoping that the defence is a yr older and a yr wiser, but additionally that Mathurin might be the key assist they wanted. If it’s a one-player repair, mixed with new construction and self-discipline, that’s important. Nonetheless, if extra is required, Bowler can’t wait to make adjustments.
1. Can Greg Walters Reset the Membership?
The Spitfires’ teaching final season might be described in a single phrase – “chaos.” When head coach Marc Savard left for the Calgary Flames in June 2023, long-time affiliate Jerrod Smith was promoted to go coach. Sadly, after simply 4 wins in 21 video games, he was let go, forcing assistant coach Andy Delmore and goaltending coach Michael Leighton to resign. In consequence, new assistant coach Casey Torres took over as interim head coach and Bowler jumped behind the bench to assist him. The membership introduced in former OHLer Kris Newbury at Christmas as an assistant whereas Bowler returned to his duties.
Over the second half, Bowler talked getting a everlasting head coach, whether or not that was Torres or another person. Enter Walters; the long-time OHL coach was behind the Owen Sound Assault bench earlier than being fired in October after a verbal altercation with a employees member. In December, the league suspended him till June 30. After reinstatement objectives have been met, he returned and the Spitfires introduced him on.
Upon arriving, Walters apologized for the incident and took full accountability. He emphasised that he desires his staff to have a tight-knit, hard-working tradition that everybody might be pleased with. He joins Torres and Newbury behind the bench as camp will get underway. Nonetheless, can he reset the membership? They want construction, self-discipline, and somebody who can give attention to defence whereas nonetheless sustaining offensive creativity. Is Walters the man for the job? How will he work with Torres and Newbury?
This season is vital for the Spitfires. After ending first within the convention in two-straight seasons, falling to second final within the league was a watch opener. Now it’s time to shake it off and show that was only a velocity bump. That begins at camp, which will get underway on Thursday on the WFCU Centre.
