As the Tragically Hip once sang so aptly, its the start of another new year. Each new season brings with it its own share of surprises, and this year likely wont be any different. Is this the year the Lakehead Thunderwolves finally dethrone the Western Mustangs and take the Ontario University Athletics Far West Division title? Can the Laurier Golden Hawks or Brock Badgers dethrone the perennial division champion, but rebuilding York University Lions in the OUA Mid West?
Thunder Bay Source editor Leith Dunick, who has covered OUA hockey for three seasons, takes a look at what might unfold in the Western Conference in 2005-06 with this preview of the upcoming season.
Mid West Division.
Laurier Golden Hawks
Last Year: 12-10-2 (2nd, OUA Mid West Division).
Kingpin: David Brown: Top point getter returns.
Coach: Steve Martell (second year).
Recruits: Dan Ehrman (D), Nick Van Herpt (D), Mike Reindorf (D), Matt Maccarone (F), Ryan Courtney (F), Aaron Forer (G), Luke Girard (F), Joseph Grover (F).
Key losses: Nick Vukovic, Chris Di Ubaldo, Nick Gibson, Tim Parsons
Coachs comment: Laurier Hockey is once again looking to re-gain its championship persona and our fourth OUA championship title. We are working hard at trying compete every day and feel that we have made some significant additions that will allow us to compete with some of the top teams in our league and the country.
Analysis: The Golden Hawks will be wearing replica jerseys from their 83 championship team in hopes of rekindling their winning ways. Laurier captured the York Invitational preseason tournament with a 2-1 win over Ottawa and will fight for top spot in the division this year. They are missing their top scorer, Di Ubaldo, from last year.
Prediction: 1st OUA Mid West.
Local content: Matthew Grennier (Dryden).
Vs. Lakehead: Nov. 4, 5 (Laurier)
Brock Badgers
Last Year: 6-17-1, 4th OUA Mid West Division
Kingpin: Jonathan Labelle led the team with 10 goals and nine assists last year.
Coach: Murray Nystrom (Thunder Bay, seventh year)
Recruits: Tom Lee (G), Chris McLean (D), Dan McNeill (D), Justin Wright (RW), John Martin (F), Tyler Leggo (F), Curtis Yausie (RW), Brennan Giroux (C), Shane Smith (D), Josh Bonar (F), Shawn Doucet (C).
Key losses: Mike Melinko, Dan Pitre, Steve Hurst.
Analysis: The Badgers have already beaten Western Michigan, Guelph and York in the preseason, and should prove to be a tougher-than usual opponent. Goalie Matt Harpwood returns between the pipes and the team returns four of its top five point getters from 2004-05.
Prediction:2nd, OUA Mid West.
Local content: Mike MacIntyre (Sioux Lookout)
Vs. Lakehead: February 3, 4 (St. Catharines)
York Lions
Last Year: 12-7-5 (1st, OUA Mid West)
Kingpin: Steve Chabbert is a rock on the blueline.
Coach: Graham Wise (18th year)
Recruits: Shawn Crozier (D), Derrick Decloe (D), Tyler Harrison (C), Nick Dzieduszycki (C), Jerry Clarke (LW), Derek Montgomery (RW), Alex Ennaffati (D), Blake Allan (D), Jimmy Williams (G).
Key losses: Shane Nash, Jason Pinizzotto, Eric Gooldy, Scott Della Vedova.
Coachs comment: York is in a rebuilding year with 12 players from last years team moving on. Battling hard will be a must in determining our fate this year.
Analysis: The Lions have won nine straight Mid West Division titles. They lost four of their top scorers and goalie Scott Della Vedova, leaving a load of responsibility on the shoulders of sophomore Kevin<