The Listowel Cyclones blew away the competition last year en route to the franchise's second ever Sutherland Cup.
This year, the team has no intention of giving it back.
GM Trent McClement is very confident in a group full of returnees that showed last year they know how to get the job done, alongside a number of exciting new faces that will offset some big losses on the roster.
The coaching staff this year is basically the same, minus the exit of Assistant Coach Luke Israel, who has accepted the head coaching role with the Jr. A Brooks Bandits in Alberta. Cyclones Head Coach Jesse Cole, who's as good of a head coach and person as you'll find in the game, returns with legendary player-turned-assistant, Holdyn Lansink, who will run the forwards this year, and new addition Shawn Dietrich, who has experience with the Huron Perth Lakers and the University of Waterloo.
In terms of losses from last year, the team will miss Luke Eurig, who was a beast for the squad last year and led the team in scoring with 61 points. He has aged out of Jr. B but will play for his hometown Mount Forest Patriots in Jr. C this year due to the 21-year-old rule in that league. Eurig was the GOJHL playoff MVP, and his skills, heavy shot and leadership skills will be hard to replace. Also gone is star goalie Dixon Grimes, who aged out, as well. Grimes was a wall all year, and really all throughout his Cyclones career, and he will be missed, as well.
Gone from last year, as well, is leading goal scorer Jack O'Donnell, who's 31 goals led the squad. None of his goals loom larger than the OT winning goal that sealed the Sutherland Cup win against St. Marys. He is off to play in the BCHL. Tanner Dietz, another 21-year-old and leader on the team, will play for Jr. C Wingham this season. His excellent two-way game will be hard to replace, not to mention his leadership and sacrifice on every shift. Ben MacRobbie is also gone, as he heads off to play D1 college hockey in Niagara. MacRobbie assisted on that Sutherland Cup sealing goal, with a powerful wrap around that landed on O'Donnell's blade. His hard work and special teams play was always on point. On the back end, Jordan Alexander won't return, aging out after a career that saw him drive opposing forwards wild with hards hits and an excellent stick. Chet Hudson, a heart-and-soul forechecker and penalty killer, is also not coming back. A true "glue guy" for the Cyclones, Hudson will be missed in the room.
Despite some big key players departing, the Cyclones are returning a great cast. That starts with Wylie Birkett, who was 5th in team scoring with 45 points in only 35 games and became a monster in the playoffs with huge goals and setups. Birkett is a big, rangy and fast skater who can play the game however you want it. He will surely have a chance to have a big jump in production. Joining him is Mason Eurig, Luke's younger brother, who became a dish master and excellent power play threat last season. Harrison Meulensteen, a rookie in the league last year, is also back with a chance to play a lot more top 6 minutes after a great 18 point season that resulted in an excellent playoff run, where he looked more confident by the shift. He has shifty deceptiveness and magic hands that can make defenders look silly.
Other returnees include leader, captain and engine of the team, Carter Coombs. If you can find me a kid that plays harder than Coombs, I'd love to see that. Dylan Szymanowski, another rookie last year, is back and will get to see more ice time. He was an awesome team mate all through the playoffs last year when he ended up sitting quite a bit, but when called upon, brought speed, smarts and intensity. Cam McNevan, another grinding player to face who has some offensive upside, will also be back.
A huge new addition the Cyclones have added is longtime OHLer Chris O'Flaherty, who most recently played in Niagara. O'Flaherty has over 130 OHL games under his belt, and his speed and pro level shot will be massive in terms of replacing some of the outgoing talent from last year. He could easily lead this team, and the league, in points. Jordan Visneskie, a recent 4th round pick of OHL Erie, is also in the mix this year. The Cyclones should not have to worry about keeping up with anyone on the scoreboard.
On the back end, basically the entire D core returns following a season that saw the Cyclones give up next to nothing, with just 103 goals allowed, best in the entire GOJHL. A huge piece of news is the return of Teague Vader, a Barrie Colts prospect who could likely play on most OHL teams right now, but due to a logjam on the Colt's back end, he will return to the Cyclones and offer high end offensive prowess from the blue line. GM Trent McClement feels Vader could be "the best defender in this league" and his talent certainly speaks for itself. After 11 points last year, Vader will eat up a lot of top PP minutes and get a chance to blow that total out of the water.
Also returning is the always steady Aidan Renaud, who's 20 points last year was very impressive given that he played against other team's top lines a lot. His defensive acumen and intensity will be very welcome again this year. The Middleton brothers, Teegan and Keaton, are both back to bring hard hitting physicality to the lineup. Teegan laid some huge hits last year and always forces opposing forwards to keep their head up. Speaking of big hits, Benson Moore will also be back to make other teams think about sending guys into the corner first. Moore is a one-man forecheck wrecker at times, a guy who just puts on his hard hat and goes to work every shift. He's as no-nonsense as it gets when it comes to defenders.
In goal, Dixon Grimes' backup last year, Riley Arts, is ready to take over as the number one backbone of the club. Arts didn't play like a backup last year. When he was called on, he was just as elite as his tandem mate. Arts went 18-5-0 with a sublime 1.74 GAA, best in the entire GOJHL, a .930 save percentage and 5 shutouts. He has a chance to be the best goalie in the league this season, and is more than capable of outright stealing games. The Cycs will have zero worry about what's going on in their crease. Backing up Arts will be the talented young Jack Bree. The Mitchell native played last year with the vaunted Waterloo Wolves U18 team, posting an impressive 1.67 GAA in 18 games.
Last year was a magical one for Listowel. The Cyclones are one of the best run programs in the GOJHL, and this year they have a real shot at doing something pretty rare, a back-to-back title run. The pieces are there. The great staff and team executive is there, alongside a proud and loud fanbase. It could be another special spring on tap in Listy.
The Cyclones open their Sutherland Cup title defence at home on September 13 against the Strathroy Rockets at 7:30, which you can hear LIVE on CKNX AM920 and CKNX.ca.
For a look ahead to the upcoming season, check out the full interview with Cyclones GM Trent McClement here, courtesy of Instigating with Clarkey and Drury: