Saginaw Spirit
Division: West
Coach: Troy Smith
2016-17 Record: 27-32-7-2 (5th in division, 9th in conference)
Key Additions:
Nicholas Porco <(Priority Selection-RD 1, Pick 4)
Blade Jenkins Pos:(Priority Selection-RD 1, Pick 4)*2006 draft pick
Caleb Everett <Pos:(Priority Selection-RD 6,Pick 106)
Tom Bappert Pos:(Priority Selection-RD 2, Pick 70)
Aidan Prueter Pos: (Priority Selection-RD , Pick 24)
Duncan Penman Pos: (Priority Selection-RD 2, Pick 25)
Key Departures:
Filip Hronek-(AHL Grand Rapid Griffins)
Markus Niemelainen(Liiga, HPK Finland)
Kris Bennett <(University of New Brunswick)
C.J. Garcia (University of Western Ontario)
Hayden Hodgson (University of New Brunswick)
The Saginaw Spirit failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since the 2004/2005 season. Troy Smith takes over the head coaching duties after spending the last couple of years with the Hamilton Bulldogs. He will have his work cut out for him in a difficult Western Conference but is up for the challenge.
“It’s always tough but that is where you want to be,” said Smith in a phone interview. “You want to be in a conference where you have to compete every night because it makes everyone better.”
Top Players:
Brady Gilmour (C) – GP: 26 – G: 26 – A:21 – PTS: 47 – PIM: 4 – +/- (-8)
Marcus Crawford (D) – GP: 60 – G: 6 – A: 33 – PTS: 39 – PIM: 34 – +/- (+3)
Matthew Kreis (C) – GP: 65 – G: 11 – A: 21 – PTS: 35 – PIM: 6 – +/- (+12)
Cole Coskey (RW) – GP: 66 – G: 10 – A: 22 – PTS: 31 – PIM: 36 – +/- (2)
Damian Giroux (C) – GP: 53 – G: 8 – A: 17 – PTS: 25 – PIM: 21 – +/- (-6)
While players like Gilmour, Coskey and Keaton Middleton will be relied upon as veteran leaders, it will be young players like Blade Jenkins and Nicholas Porco that will need to step up for the Spirit.
In a surprise move, Jenkins decided to sign with Saginaw despite receiving a scholarship offer from the University of Michigan. Playing against older players in the USHL should give the Jackson Mich., native a preview of what to expect this season.
The same can be said about Porco who earned the player of the year in the GTHL with the Vaughn Kings scoring 89 points in 65 games. He scored a goal and an assist in the preseason against his hometown Sault Ste Marie and should be an exciting player to watch this season.
