The Sarnia Sting open the 2017-2018 campaign Friday night with a stop in Guelph to face the youthful Storm.
The team expects to have Drake Rymsha in the lineup, a day after he was released from training camp with the Los Angeles Kings. That leaves just Jordan Kyrou as potential returnees who are still with their NHL club.
With a majority of the forward group returning from last year's team, Head Coach Derian Hatcher says the team has plenty of depth up front.
"We basically have all of our forwards back, Jaden Lindo is the only guy who isn't returning," says Hatcher. "Even though Lindo is a big loss, we're happy with the group we have up front."
Hatcher says it'll be a different story on the blue line.
"We're young back there right now, I think it's something that will work itself out," says the former NHL defenceman. "We expect that there will probably be some growing pains back there early in the season, we'll go into the year like this and reevaluate after five or ten games."
Aiden Hughes congratulations partner Justin Fazio following a Sting victory. (Photo by Metcalfe Photography)
Both goalies return from last year's team and Justin Fazio enters his fourth and final year in the league, and Aiden Hughes is heading into his sophomore campaign. Hatcher says they'll be counting on Fazio.
"Having both guys back is great, being a 20-year-old we're expecting a lot from Fazio and are looking to him to carry the work load and have a really good year. We're hoping Hughes can be a bit more consistent in net as well."
After playing the majority of last season on the blue line, Jordan Ernst will be playing on the wing this season. He scored three goals in four games playing up front during the Sarnia's playoff series against Erie. Franco Sproviero will be playing centre again this season after transitioning from defence at the start of last year.
Hatcher says both Ernst and Sproviero will play forward at even strength, and move back to the point on the power play. He says it's good to have that type of versatility.
"Sproviero had a great year last year at centre, him and Ernst will both likely move to the back end on the power play to provide some offence back there," says Hatcher. "If you look at Ernst, he's only played about ten games at forward, but in those ten games I think he's our leading goal scorer."
Hatcher says four members of the 2017 draft class will be with the team throughout the season. Injury has kept first round Jamieson Rees out of action so far, but Alexandre Hogue, Brayden Guy and Colton Kammerer have earned roster spots with strong training camps.
"Only time will tell whether or not they play every game or not, but they'll be here all year battling for ice time," says Hatcher.
He adds that third round pick Justin McCombs is likely good enough to play in the league but they don't have room for him to start the season.
Sarnia will start the season with four overagers, Justin Fazio, Troy Lajeunesse, Jordan Ernst and Connor Schlichting. An OHL team can only dress three per game.
The three overagers from last season are all continuing their hockey careers elsewhere. Jaden Lindo is going to Queen's and playing for the men's hockey program, Jeff King is at camp with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, and former captain Kevin Spinozzi is at came with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Both Spinozzi and King were previously at NHL camps.
David Legwand will be joining the coaching staff behind the Sting bench this season. Jeff Barratt and Brad Staubitz both return as Assistant Coaches.
The Sting host the Kitchener Rangers Saturday night in their home opener.