The Walkerton Hawks want to be champions again, badly.
GM Steve Barrett says the focus is all on getting back to the top of the league, after losing last year to Kincardine in the finals. While Walkerton did finish 1st in the regular season, with a 27-8-1 record for 55 points, the sting of losing to runners-up Kincardine has added a renewed fire to snatch the championship back.
A large majority of the roster returns, headlined up front by league MVP and leading scorer Lauchlin Elder, who had 63 points. Rejoining him is brother Spencer, whose 37 points were good for 2nd on the team. Team captain Chris Gillman leaves as an overage player, and the "C" now falls to Connor Patton, who despite only playing 20 games had an impressive 31 points. Ryan Hamelin, who was an assistant captain last year, will also not return, but the addition of Listowel Cyclones forward Jordan Caskenette will add Junior B level experience and firepower.
On defense, Brooks Nelthorpe is back but he is mostly used at forward, leaving a majority of the damage to be done offensively by cornerstone Josh Deyell. His 30 points in 33 games, along with a tough, hard-nosed D-style, make him invaluable to Walkerton. Austin Russell, an assistant last year, will also return to add more depth and potent offensive help, and GM Steve Barrett says Brendan Welsh can improve on his 14 points, too.
In net, a changeover will be taking place, as both Nick Redman, who is attending school in Sudbury, and Andrew Rutherford won't return. Rutherford is trying out with other teams in the loop, and will likely be in another team's crease. For this year, 2 young signings will battle for the number one job, assuming they don't stick in Junior B. Those 2 players are Ethan Woods, an AP player last year, and Ryan Winter, who is a product of the Grey Bruce Highlanders program, and is considered a great young prospect.
For more insight and thoughts on the upcoming season in Walkerton, check out the full-length chat with GM Steve Barrett:
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