The Sarnia Sting's roster is taking shape heading into the 2019-20 Ontario Hockey League campaign. Sting GM Nick Sinclair said following Wednesday night's Black & White game, the team reassigned 24 players bringing their current roster down to 26 players. Sinclair said management still has some tough decisions to make ahead of opening night September 20 when the Sting host the Hamilton Bulldogs. "Well we currently have five overagers and obviously that number has to get down to three as time moves forward, but we'll continue to work to sort that out. Sometimes it takes a little bit of time, but I'm optimistic that as we get closer to the start of the season it will have sorted itself out." Sting Captain Ryan McGregor, forwards Calvin Martin and Sean Josling, and defenceman Kelton Hatcher and Nick Grima are the five OA's heading into the preseason. Sinclair said it will be tough moving any of the veteran players, but he believes the Sting have the right mix of leadership and youth. "A number of veteran players have come back looking like they've had a committed summer and have taken that step in their development, and there's a number of our younger guys that have come in and done some impressive things so far. We like the mix of our group and I think there's a lot to be optimistic about heading into the season," said Sinclair. "The big thing with this year's group is that we have a number of 17 and 18-year-olds that were either in their first or second year in the OHL last season and they've come in committed to taking a step. Just in the sense of where our 16 and 17-year-olds are right now, they've been impressive." New faces on the Sting this season include imports Eric Hjorth and Marek Berka. Sinclair said the two have looked good as they transition to the smaller North American ice surface. "We've been impressed with both of them. It's never an easy transition coming across the world, but they've both settled in here very nicely. In the two, three days we've seen them on the ice, showing their strengths and what they'll bring to this hockey club is exciting to see." Rookie goaltender Ben Gaudreau, the Sting's first round pick seventh overall in April's OHL Priority Selection, is nursing an injury and did not take part in training camp. Sinclair expects him back "sooner rather than later." Netminders Ethan Langevin and Cameron Lamour are also returning to the Sting lineup to start the season. The Sting begin their preseason Friday night in London. The Knights are in Sarnia Saturday night. --- Sting 2019 Preseason Schedule:
Fri. Aug 30 – Sarnia at London at 7:30 pm
Sat. Aug 31 – London at Sarnia at 7:00 pm
Thurs. Sept 12 – Soo vs Sarnia at 6:30 pm (Chatham)
Fri. Sept 13 – Windsor at Sarnia at 7:05 pm
Sun. Sept 15 – Sarnia at Windsor at 2:00 pm
