After two straight 6th place finishes, the Listowel Cyclones are on a mission to rocket up the Midwestern Conference standings this year, a special 50th celebration.
GM Trent McClement, who took over the role full-time from Head Coach Jesse Cole, feels that the two coaches splitting the roles up into two permanent positions will allow both of them to focus more on one role and doing it to the best of their abilities. McClement has had a busy summer, and he's helped put together a roster of very high end talent for Cole to work with, alongside new assistant coach Holdyn Lansink. Lansink, arguably the greatest Cyclone ever, brings a winning pedigree and a bulldog mentality that screams intensity, and he will immediately command respect after helping the Jr. C Mitchell Hawks win a title in 2022. Luke Israel, another former Cyclone, also saddles up on the bench to help bring defensive structure to the team.
Regarding departing players, the Cyclones lost leading goal scorer from last year, Patrick Brown. The big power forward had 24 snipes last year and brings his talents to a loaded up Hanover Barons Jr. C squad. Cory Jewitt, the team's second leading scorer, has also moved on after a solid 45 point outing. He has moved on the the Tier 2 Jr. A Wellington Dukes. Tate Vader, who will almost certainly make the OHL's Soo Greyhounds, will also be missed, with all the dynamic talent and skating ability he possesses. Starting goalie Carter McDougall also moves on, as he goes home to St. Marys, after posting a 17-13-2 record with a 2.86 GAA and .902 save percentage with 2 shutouts. Replacing him will be hard but the Cyclones do have a familiar face in mind...more on that later. Also departing is Jayden Steele, one of the fastest skaters in the league, as he ages out following a 20 point year. Young Carter Coates, who got into 32 games last year, also left to go play for Jr. C Mitchell. Despite some significant losses, the Cyclones went out and aggressively added to a roster that is dead set on bringing back the Cyclones hockey of 2017 and 18.
Up front, last year's leading scorer, Ben MacRobbie, will come back and look to build on a solid 47 point outing. MacRobbie is a Swiss army knife, and can be relied upon in any situation and get the job done. Tanner Dietz, who had 25 points in just 36 games, will take a big step forward, and his tenacious forechecking always makes him a threat to cause turnovers and generate offence. Last year, Listowel brought in the reigning Pollock Division Jr. C rookie of the year in Alex McGillivray, and it worked out great, as the kid scored 17 goals and 30 points as a 17-year-old. He returns and will likely play on the top line and the top power play, possessing a lethal release. The Cyclones decided to sign last year's Jr. C rookie of the year, too, as Harrison Meulensteen joins the fold following a ridiculous 55 point season in Kincardine. Meulensteen will of course have to adjust to the quicker and more physical play, but he has such elite offensive instincts already, and his creativity, nifty mitts and high hockey IQ will serve him just fine. Dylan Szymanowski, another excellent Jr. C rookie last year in Mount Forest, also will be in Cyclones Red this season following a 67 point effort that helped the Patriots win their division last season. Mason Eurig, who had 35 points last year, returns to offer his excellent playmaking skills alongside a new addition in his older brother, Luke. He played in the Tier 2 Jr. A BCHL last year, and brings a massive offensive boost to a team that scored the fourth most goals in the division last year. The Cyclones power play is going to be absolutely lethal this year. McClement still wasn't done there. He also signed recent OHL pick Brady Smith, who played 3 games last year in Listowel and was selected by the Soo Greyhounds after some great years in the Halton Hurricanes system. Also coming back are hard working energy guys and grinders in Chet Hudson, Cam McNevan and Carter Coombs, who GM McClement called "the heart and soul" of the team. That is reflected in Coombs wearing the "C" this year. Jack O'Donnell, another punishing physical player, also is back, adding to what looks like an insanely deep roster. Hats off to McClement and his staff. This lineup looks scary.
On the back end, Listowel returns a great cast of responsible defenders and guys who can skate and lay people out. Danny Scott comes back to add snarl and hard hits. He also shoots hard, and can easily add to his 16 points from last year. Aidan Renaud, who is an Owen Sound Attack prospect, will be back and will get more ice time and particularly, more power play time one would think. He already showed he's calm beyond his years, earning 10 points in 42 games and never looking out of place. Teegan Middleton, a third year player, also comes back, and brings great defensive play. He has a great stick and lays the body. He never shies away from a hit, and always forces opposing forwards to keep their head up, or else. Wyatt Kerr, a former Caledon Bomber who played Tier 2 Jr. A in Caledon last year, joins the Cyclones and will bring some offensive flair and puck moving ability. He has a heavy shot, and is also familiar with many of his "new" team mates, having been a former Huron Perth Lakers player. Teague Vader, a new rookie defender, comes in with a highly touted skill level. GM McClement joked that they call him "young Paul Coffey", such is his elite skating ability already. He's another Huron Perth Laker, and will get sheltered a bit as a 16-year-old, but the Cyclones are excited about his ability, as were the Barrie Colts, who selected him in the 5th round in this year's OHL draft. Liam Wilson, another new addition by way of trade from Jr. B Brantford, adds more depth and defensive bite with a big 6'4" frame. He got into some Tier 2 Jr. A Brantford games, as well. Jordan Alexander, a stout 20-year-old defensive expert, also comes back, along with the younger Middleton in Keaton, who has plenty of upside. Again, loads of depth and diversity in skillsets here. The Cyclones, who allowed the sixth most goals last year at 152, are looking to drastically drop that number.
In goal, a huge addition in the "what's old is new again" vein of thinking, as Dixon Grimes returns to Cycs Nation. Grimes, who spent last year in OHL Guelph and QMJHL Charlottetown, returns to a team and league that he dominated at times. Grimes has shown that he can be an absolute horse at this level, and coming back to the GOJHL as an over ager is a gigantic add for Listowel and another statement of intent. This team wants to win, and having a stud in the blue paint will help. Backing him up is returning Riley Arts, who played extremely well as a rookie last year. Arts posted a 8-10 record with a 3.04 GAA and .903 save percentage to go with a shutout. Really incredible numbers to post in any Jr. B loop as a rookie. He has a sky high ceiling, and could move on to a higher level next year, and if he doesn't, Listowel will have another elite goalie to build around.
The Listowel Cyclones are a special team. 50 years is no small feat, especially in one of the smallest Jr. B centres around. The community cares about this franchise, and it shows in the number of longtime volunteers and players of yesteryear that want to return to help out in any way they can. The team has put together a stellar roster, with eyes on doing more than just celebrating turning 50. This is a team that can win. This is a team that can smother opponents. This is a team that can once again lift the town of Listowel to possible Midwestern Conference supremacy, and beyond. We can't wait to see what they do.
For a full interview with Listowel Cyclones GM Trent McClement, click here courtesy of the Instigating with Clarkey and Drury show:
