The Kincardine Bulldogs are looking to jump up the Pollock Division standings following a year that saw a lot of youth come into the group.
GM Warren Beisel is keen on seeing his team make a leap forward despite the loss of some key players, and the loss of Head Coach Todd Norman, who left to take over the GM role in Goderich. Replacing Norman is new bench boss, Jeff Alcombrack, along with new Assistant Shawn Krueger, who joins Blair Pollock, a holdover from last year's group. Jeff played minor hockey in Kincardine, donning the Bulldogs sweater at 15. He was most recently the coach of the Ripley Wolves in the WOAA Senior League, now the OEHL.
In terms of players not returning, the Bulldog's losses are headlined by their two leading scorers. Reigning Rookie of the Year Harrison Meulensteen, who exploded for 55 points and also led the team in goals with 28, is graduating to the Listowel Cyclones. Aging out is former captain and longtime workhorse, Steven Grant, whose 48 points last year won't be easy to replace, either. Ryan Litt, another veteran who aged out, will be sorely missed for his excellent defensive acumen and physical play. Brennan Long, another veteran defender who brought some offence to the table with 13 points, will also not come back due to age. Same goes for Jake Ertel, acquired at last year's deadline, who supplied 16 points in 24 games. Sounds like a lot, however, the Bulldogs will enjoy some key returning weapons among new young faces.
Among the key forwards coming back, Carter Servais, the team's third leading scorer, will come back after supplying 47 points, including 25 goals, which was second on the team. He will be the main offensive engine for this group, possessing great playmaking ability and a sneaky good release. Joining him is Liam Colhoun, who supplied 33 points in 40 games and likely has more in the chamber, which will pair nicely with his stout defensive game. Gavin Gibbons returns after a solid 23 point outing in 36 games, with an opportunity to take on more special teams time. Gavin Downs, he of 23 points, as well, also comes back to provide very solid secondary scoring for the Bulldogs. Jordan Beisel adds further to that depth following an 18 point year in 36 games, with plenty of potential with his skating to increase his half-a-point-per-game outing last year. Wilson Shipp, who had 13 points last season, will also come back another year stronger and wiser. The Bulldogs actually boast a very stout returning cast, supplemented by an exciting crop of youngsters.
On the back end, the Bulldogs also return one of the best two-way defencemen in the league, as they'll enjoy the services of Kieran Moore, who had an excellent 42 point season in 38 games. That included 24 power play points. Moore is simply one of the smoothest special teams players and skaters in the league. Returning to the fold after a great year with Jr. B Stratford is Jordan Moulton, a local boy who went off in Jr. B for 34 points in 48 games a level up. He will be the second pillar of power in a top pair that will be hard to match if he plays with Moore, or the team has the luxury of splitting them up to help along some younger players. Austin Waite also comes back to bring his signature snarl, and as a 20-year-old, he will be leaned on to lead the way and get the energy going for his team mates like he did last year. Cooper Schneider, a rookie last year, will round out a very potent top 4 in Kincardine, and he has potential to well surpass his 9 points he put up as a newbie. Kyle Dolmage, yet another of last year's rookies, will also come back, providing Kincardine with an enviable crop of returning guys that get what the program is all about. This is a serious advantage for the Bulldogs to go alongside some new faces in Owen Breen and local kid Graeden Colhoun.
In net, the team moved out rookie sensation Christian DeJong to the Goderich Flyers. DeJong's colleague last year, Carter Garvie, returns to take the reigns this time around, after splitting starts with DeJong. Garvie went 8-8-3-1 with a 3.48 GAA, .879 save percentage and logged the only shutout of the Bulldog's season. He will bring a veteran calm in the defensive zone, and despite being one of the bigger goalies around at 6'4", he doesn't always rely on his size, making some incredible acrobatic stops last season. He will be joined by newcomer Rowan Cherrett, who really can't be called a newcomer. The young netminder is a Kincardine Minor Hockey and Grey Bruce Highlanders product, and GM Beisel said he and his staff liked him so much, they simply had to sign him, which gave them the opportunity to move out DeJong.
The Kincardine Bulldogs are always a threat. The team constantly drives opponents wild with their stifling play, and are always a tough out in the playoffs with how well the team usually plays defensively. They are returning a very potent lineup of scorers, defenders, and two exciting goalies, and once again, they'll be a big time threat to climb the standings from their 5th place finish last season.
For a full interview with Kincardine Bulldogs GM Warren Beisel, click here courtesy of the Instigating with Clarkey and Drury show: