Hey all! Welcome back! I have chosen to resume my blogging activities for the 2024-25 season. I'll try to post here and there when I can! It's going to be an interesting (and possibly very long) season.. So I'm sure there will be lots to say! Let's get right into it:
2023-24 SEASON FINISH
Around the time of the start of the second round, I had a change in jobs. I was incredibly busy during this change, so my blog took a backseat. I was absolutely heartbroken after the Game 7 loss. I've had ALOT of time to reflect upon the 2nd round exit and I don't have much to say. I was fortunate enough to attend two Memorial Cup matchups, and I was able to see all 4 teams! I had a blast! In my opinion, the WHL and QMJHL champions were both very beatable teams compared to our 2024 playoff team. Although the 2nd round woos for the Greyhounds continued, the Hounds gave the eventual Memorial Cup Champs everything they had. The players should be very proud of what they accomplished.
2ND ROUND CURSE + REPORTING ISSUES = YIKES...
I want to talk a little bit about the criticism of Kyle Raftis that is going on among the fan base, to which I will say is not unwarranted at all. Fans are upset. The pattern has continued for quite a few years. The story the same. Should someone be held accountable? Is it time for a change in management? The 2024 playoffs marked the 3rd straight playoff run ending in a 2nd Round exit by this management and coaching staff. After the 2018 loss in the OHL championship finals, the Greyhounds' playoff runs have all ended in Round 2:
2019 Playoffs: L 4-2 vs. Saginaw
2022 Playoffs: L 4-2 vs. Flint
2024 Playoffs: L 4-3 vs. Saginaw
As the organization moves into its 10th season under Kyle Raftis, the recent pattern of the team could be cause for concern. Of course, every year presents its' own independent variables. Injuries, team dynamics, opponents all rapidly change from year to year. The league turnover and volatility is much more extreme than a professional league, like the NHL. Then, of course, you have your cliches: "Should have, could have, would have...", the old phrase "that's hockey" etc. However, this pattern is becoming concerning. As Billy Beane says "You need to win the last game of the season".
What the general consesus among, what I will dub, the "Soo Faithful" (hardcore fans that have general/competent junior hockey knowledge) is the failure to execute a proper "Rebuild and Load Up" cycle. Junior hockey teams work on a 2-3 year cycle, having 1-2 younger/rebuilding years before having a 1-2 year contending window, based on the crop of players they have developed. Instead, we have witnessed more of a "Retool and Add a Piece or 2" cycle, throughout Raftis' tenure as GM. In simple terms, instead of having 1-2 years in 20th place and 1-2 in 1st-3rd place, we've instead stayed between 5th-15th place. Staying competitive, but never making the next step to being a real championship contender. There is a huge argument to be made that kept assets in 2019 and 2022 should have been expended to build around other age groups and create stronger teams in the future.
To make matters worse, only 1 of 5 players taken in the top four rounds of the 2024 draft reported to Training Camp in August. This was followed by two more departures, Nolan Long and Charles Ashcroft. Both players made the team out of training camp, but chose to leave the team and keep NCAA eligibilty. Needless to say, these next few years are going to be the most challenging out of Raftis' GM career. He has two highly talented 17 year olds in Brady Martin and Travis Hayes, and to let their Greyhound career go to waste, without a true contending team would be an absolute failure. Can he pick up the pieces and bring the Hounds back to the top?
2024-25 SEASON START
The Greyhounds currently have a 2-4-0-0 record and sit 5th in the West Division and 10th in the Western Conference. There are a lot of new, young faces in the room, which will make this year a challenge to make the playoffs for the red and white. Landon Miller had a rough start to this seaosn, being pulled from both of his starts in the first period. He has given up 8 goals on 26 shots. The Hounds also began the year extremely short handed, as along with 2 player departures, Brodie McConnell-Barker (lower body injury) and Marco Mignosa (illness) began on the IR. Owen Allard remains in between professional and junior hockey, having been sent down to Tucson (AHL) earlier this month. The Hounds have picked up their game, raising their compete level ever since dropping 3 in a row to start the season.
OLD DOGS AND NEW PUPS
Some familiar faces among the red and white early on include: F Justin Dezoete, F Tate Vader, F Christopher Brown, F Justin Cloutier, D Caedan Carlisle, D Spencer Evans and G Landon Miller. All of these skaters are looking at much of an expanded role after all of the graduating players from 2023-24. Miller returns as the backup and after a shaky start, will look to improve play between the posts.
New faces include rookies F Brady Smith (5th Round 2023), F Erik Muxlow (Free Agent 2024), F Carson Andrew (4th Round 2024), D Keegan Gillen (14th Round 2023), D Hunter Solomon (4th Round 2023) and D David Holub (1st Round Import 2024). All players are taking some time to adjust to the Major Junior Level, but have all had solid starts to their OHL careers. None seem out of place so far, more comfotability and higher confidence levels will only improve their game. The Hounds also welcomed G Reid Thomas (15th Round 2023), as the 3rd goalie.
With the roster slimness, Kyle Raftis was forced to be creative in late August and early September. F Sam Bowness signed out of training camp. He is 19 and previously played in the QMJHL before a quick stint in Germany. D Brayden Vellaris was acquired from Peterbrorough, F Camerin Cardona was acquired off WHL waivers and F Charlie Hilton was acquired from Ottawa. While these moves, with the exception of Hilton, were mostly short-term patches to a boat with holes, they all compete well and bring positive energy.
THE GOLD STARS
I will finish off with the key parts of the Greyhounds present and future. NHL drafted, Nashville Predators prospect Andrew Gibson returns for his 3rd and final OHL season. Gibson is 6'3, 210 pounds and a very strong defensive defenceman. The 19 year old has 66 points in 125 OHL career games. It should be a big year for the veteran defenceman, as he will no doubt look to make Team Canada and compete at this year's World Juniors, before being traded to a contender at the OHL Deadline.
Overager G Charlie Schenkel returns as this season's starter. Schenkel has been very strong early on and is a pleasure to watch every night. He has been one of the most enjoyable Greyhounds' to watch over the past few seasons, as he has developed from a shaky rookie into a very solid and dependable starter. As Gibson is most likley traded at the deadline, with the addition of Reid Thomas, Charlie could also be shopped to contending teams as the Hounds build towards the future. I will be genuinely sad to see him go, hopefully we get a few more "Charlie! Charlie!" chants before his send off.
Last, but certainly not least, the two major pieces of the Greyhounds future Brady Martin and Travis Hayes. The pair of 17 year old forwards come off a summer competing for their countries at the Ivan Hlinka U18 Tournament, where Martin won a gold medal (Team Canada). Certainly to be well scouted prospects in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft, they lead the Greyhounds with 7 and 6 points in 6 games respectively. Their play is outstanding, and are driving the boat right now. As I mentioned before, it would be a total waste if their careers are wasted as Greyhounds. Here's to hoping the future is bright and a solid contending roster is built around these two very promising sophomores.
Comentarios