Another tough season plagued the Goderich Flyers in 2015-16.
But this year is where they will looked for marked improvement and a noticeable turnaround, says Assistant Coach and Director of Player Personnel Doug Cruickshank. After finishing last year with only 3 wins, with only one of those at home, the team is hoping some new staff members and solid camp recruits will aid the team's rebuilding process.
The team's 3 joint top scorers are all expected back, as Trent Michie, Tyler McCracken and Noah Kuno all tied for 19 points at the top of the FLyers' scoring chart. Cruickshank even says that Michie and McCracken could comprise a new leadership core, as former captain Brandon Priestap ages out of junior, and Marcel Fohkens leaves to pursue hockey elsewhere. If the Flyers can bring all 3 of those players back into the fold, and add some additions in camp, they could reinvigorate an attack that scored a league low 97 goals.
On the defensive side of the ice, Morgan Benniweis will return and add veteran stability with his stay-at-home style, and he will receive help from Drew McKee, the highest point producer last year on D with 12. Last year's impressive AP D-man Kyle Langlois had 2 different shoulder surgeries this summer, and right now it's up in the air whether or not he will factor in this season. Brad Watson will also join the ranks from Clinton, and Cruickshank says there are some standouts in camp that may aid the defensive cause, as well. The Flyers allowed a league high 234 goals last year, so an improvement in keeping pucks out of their net would be welcome.
Speaking of keeping pucks out, the team will again lean on overage goalie Nathan Watson, who played 27 games last year, winning 2 of the 3 games the Flyers were victorious in. It's hard to read into his season last year, because at first glance a 6.73 GAA and .819 save percentage don't look otherworldly by any means. But when you factor in that Watson was forced to make 721 saves, an average of 27 per game, you can forgive his numbers and throw them up to a porous defense and bad possession of the puck. Watson was often overworked, and the Flyers will look to add a capable backup in camp.
Another tough season is likely during the Flyers' rebuilding process, but Cruickshank says adding the experience of Jeff Bloomberg as an assistant coach will greatly aid the cause of improvement. Bloomberg has worked with Listowel in Junior B, and is already having a positive influence at camp. The Flyers only iced a complete team 3 times last year, so based on Bloomberg's help, and finding a couple gems in camp, improvement isn't out of the realm of possibility.
For more on the Flyers' upcoming season, check out the interview with Assistant Coach and Director of Player Personnel, Doug Cruickshank:
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