After a transitional year that saw much of the Sutherland Cup champion team move on, the Listowel Cyclones now enter a new season without two more key pillars from that group.
All-time games played leader Chayse Herrfort (244 games) and all-time leading scorer Holdyn Lansink (290 points) have both aged out, meaning this year's edition of the Cyclones will be even more so about the youth movement and rebuilding toward championship status again. Lansink (111 points) was named Jr. B OHA Player of the Year after a banner season, and with the help of Herrfort (83 points) and youngster Brayden Krieger (84 points), the top line dragged a young Cycs team to first overall in the Midwest, an extremely impressive feat. All three of those top three scorers are gone, with Krieger heading west to play for the AJHL Jr. A Brooks Bandits, now captained by former Cyclones star Jakob Lee. Listowel, now fully under the tutelage of Head Coach/GM Jesse Cole, will have trouble repeating that kind of success, but Cole has proved adept at finding talent and being a masterful mind behind the bench under former Head Coach Jason Brooks. It will be of great interest to see how a roster of fresh faces copes with the challenge of the GOJHL.
Up front, it will be hard to replace the production of last year's insanely good top trio, as Listowel scored the second most goals in the conference with 188 (Waterloo led with 219). However, some returning players from last year, coupled with some talented new signings, should be able to put up plenty of goals. Jonah White is back after an impressive rookie year that saw him post 24 points in 48 games, and he dramatically improved throughout the season as he got used to the team's system, which won't be changing much under Jesse Cole. Speedster Steven Grant is currently in Guelph Storm camp, and the team is hopeful he can stick there and progress his young career. If he were to return though, the team would gladly take his speed, grit, and penalty killing acumen. Trent Verbeek, the game 7 hero from the Waterloo series in 2018, will also return and be leaned upon more as a key forward. He also had a solid 24 point outing in 47 games last year. New faces include 16-year-old Tyler Hotson, who took part in Owen Sound Attack camp this year. Hotson has been impressive so far in the pre-season, and looks to be a speedy forward with great scoring touch. Also new is Carter Mcilwain, who could hopefully turn into another elite offensive threat for the Cyclones. Mcilwain showed off his skills in a pre-season game in Elmira, scoring twice including the OT winner. One player who could make a big impact right away is former Wingham Ironmen forward Josiah Kraayenbrink. After dealing with a nagging injury last year, Kraayenbrink was a big part of Wingham's push to the Pollock Division Final where they lost to Mount Forest, but last year in 25 games he had 6 points, before chipping in 8 points in 16 playoff games. This team will still score, it's just a question of how much as many young players adjust to the league.
On the back end, the Cyclones are thrilled to bring back veteran leader Brenden Clayton, who will serve as team captain. Clayton is a workhorse, and will see top end minutes this year, and he proved last year he can handle the workload. Never the biggest guy out there, Clayton courageously throws his body around and puts it on the line every shift for Listowel, and he's an ideal replacement to wear the "C" as Holdyn Lansink moves on. Clayton has never been an offensive style defender, however he posted an impressive 17 points in 47 games last year. The blueline was second best in the conference last season giving up just 122 goals, second again only to Waterloo's 117. There's no reason to fear that number will jump wildly, as many players from last year return another year wiser. Thomas Gangl, Brendan Koops and David Mabey will all return and make up the top 4. There is the hope that at least one can become a consistent power play threat, with Koops being a likely early candidate with his great passing and puck poise. Newcomers Brady Brezyaski, an AP player from last year, as well as Joshua Kraayenbrink, will get plenty of opportunity to earn a jersey every night. Jesse Cole is a defensive master, and he is the best type of coach the shepherd this young group along.
One thing Listowel has zero questions about is their goaltending. Evan Morrison will return to be an absolute horse for the group, after a very solid first year in Listowel. After joining midway through last season, Morrison took some time to adjust, but then seized the job from youngster Riley McCabe, twice Goalie of the Month, and ran with it. Morrison posted a 14-7 record with 1 shutout, a .912 save percentage and 2.54 GAA in the regular season, before going airtight in the playoffs with a 11-9 record with 1 shutout, a ridiculous .938 save percentage and 1.78 GAA. No one expected a young Listowel team to go as deep as they did, let alone win their conference, as they rode Morrison all the way to the Cherrey Cup Final, where a veteran and frankly due Waterloo squad proved too much. Morrison may well be the best goalie in the GOJHL this year, and Listowel will lean on him heavily. Riley McCabe was dealt away to Jr. A Kemptville to further his career, so youngster Dixon Grimes will likely slot in as a backup and study under the veteran Morrison. In spot duty in the pre-season, Grimes has been very good with a .927 save percentage and 1.93 GAA, and Head Coach Jesse Cole has been impressed with his calmness and technical ability. The crease will not be an issue for the Cyclones.
This season will offer Listowel a unique challenge as they move away from some team legends, and try to maintain their identity as a speedy and gritty team now coached by the man who has assembled the roster for years now. I have zero worries about Jesse Cole calling the shots from behind the bench, with former Cycs star Brady Anderson, Brett Nichol, and Jeff Goldie involved as his assistants. Can the Cyclones shock everyone and repeat as conference champs? Not likely, as they lost an awful lot of quality up front. But, it isn't out of the realm of possibility if young guys adjust quickly and buy in, and with stellar goaltending and a great coaching staff, it's not at all unlikely that Listowel could be a top 3 team in the Midwest. It's going to be exciting, with the season kicking off for us here at CKNX on Friday, September 13th as the Cyclones host Brampton. For more on the upcoming season, here's the full length interview with Head Coach/GM, Jesse Cole:
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