OHL 2017-2018 Season Preview: Western Conference

East look to get back on top after Western Conference wins league championship

Owen Sound Attack

Division: Midwest
Coach: Todd Gill (1 st year)
2016-17 Record: (49-15- 4) – Lost to Erie in Conference Finals

Key Additions:

Zach Bowman (G- Trade with Sudbury)
Alan Lyszczarczyk (C-Trade with Sudbury)
Vasili Filyayev (C- CHL Import Draft)
Mitchell Russell (C-OHL Priority Selection)
Mack Guzda (G- OHL Priority Selection)

Key Departures:

Petrus Palmu (W) – (TPS Liiga, Finaland)
Michael McNiven (G) – (Laval Rocket, AHL)
Santino Centorame (D) – (St. Francis Xavier Unicersity)
Cordell James (C) – (University of Wester)
Matt Schmalz (W) – (Ontario Reign, AHL)

The Owen Sound Attack were one of the OHL’s top teams during the 2016-2017 season. They finished second in the Midwest Division behind the Erie Otters, but had the second most wins (a franchise-best 49), points and goals scored in the league.

Led by a fierce attack led by Petrus Palmu and Kurt Suzuki, the Attack reached the Western Conference final, only to lose to those same Otters in six games. After two seasons as head coach, Ryan McGill bolted to Las Vegas after being hired as an assistant for the Golden Knights. Todd Gill was appointed to replace McGill in July. Gill was previously an assistant coach with the Stockton Heat, the Calgary Flames’ AHL affiliate.

He also coached the Kingston Frontenacs from 2011 to 2014. How Gill meshes a talented roster together will be an important
factor in his squad’s success. On the ice, Owen Sound’s two biggest losses heading into 2017 are forward Petrus Palmu and goalie Michael McNiven. Palmu was the team’s leading scorer
last season, finishing fourth in the OHL with 98 points.

McNiven was named the league’s top goaltender after a 41-9- 4 record and 2.30 goals against average. How the Attack replace McNiven will be a key success indicator this year. Zack Bowman, Mack Guzda and Riley Daniels will all compete for the top spot in training camp. Bowman was acquired via trade from Sudbury in August, while Guzda was selected in the second round of the OHL priority selection draft. Daniels started seven games in 2016-17 for the Attack, registering three wins and a 2.94 GAA.

Top Players (2016-17 stats):

Nick Suzuki (C) – 65 GP / 45 G / 51 A / 96 Pts / 10 PIM / +51
Kevin Hancock (W) – 68 GP / 30 G / 55 A / 85 Pts / 14 PIM / +30
Markus Phillips (D) – 66 GP / 13 G / 30 A / 43 Pts / 44 PIM / +41
Jonah Gadjovich (W) – 60 GP / 46 G / 28 A / 74 Pts / 32 PIM / +35
Despite losing Palmu, three of the Attack’s top four scorers will return this year. Suzuki, one of the Golden Knights’ first-round picks (13th overall), ranked second in the OHL with 45 goals in 2016. He also led his team with 23 points in 17 playoff matches. With wingers Kevin Hancock and Jonah Gadjovich providing fantastic secondary scoring, Owen Sound’s offense may not skip a beat.

Losing top defenceman Santino Centorame may hurt the team more than Palmu given their current depth at the position. Los Angeles Kings draft pick Markus Phillips must step up and fill the void left by graduating blue-liner. Phillips’ plus-41 was the second best mark on the team.

The Attack are reloaded and poised to make another run at a championship in 2017-18. Their biggest question marks come in goal and on defence, but their sizzling attack could make up for their deficiencies. They will be one of the favourites to claim the Midwest division this upcoming season.

About this article

By: , , , , , , , , , , , and
Posted: Sep 23 2017 6:53 pm
Edition:
Filed under: News
Topics: