Sarnia Sting
Division: West
Coach: Derian Hatcher
2016-17 Record: 31-30- 6 (4 th in division, 8 th in conference)
Key Additions:
Jamieson Rees – Pos: (C) – Mississauga Reps (GTHL)
Hugo Leufvenius – Pos: (LW) – Linköping HC (Sweden)
Alexandre Hogue – Pos: (D) – Cumberland Grads (CCHL)
Colton Kammerer – Pos: (D) – Whitby Wildcats (ETAHL)
Brayden Guy – Pos: (F) – Brampton Bombers (GOJHL)
Marko Jakovljevic –Pos: (D) – Brantford Jr. B 99ers (GOJHL)
Key Departures:
Kevin Spinozzi – Pos: (D) (Overage Graduation)
Jeff King – Pos: (D) (Overage Graduation)
Jaden Lindo – Pos: (RW) (Overage Graduation)
Filip Helt – Pos: (LW) (Overage Graduation)
The Sarnia Sting were effectively eliminated last year by the Erie Otters (4-0) in the conference quarter finals. The club has failed to win a playoff series since 2008 and have only captured one series victory in the past two decades.
Top Players:
Jordan Kyrou (D) – GP: 58 – G: 13 – A: 28 – Pts: 41 – PIM: 59 – +/- (13)
Jordan Ernst (D) – GP: 67 – G: 8 – A: 21- Pts: 29 – PIM: 59 – +/- (-13)
Adam Ruzicka (C) – GP: 61 – G: 25 – A: 21 – Pts: 46 – PIM: 30 – +/- (-15)
Anthony Salinitri (C) – GP: 66 – G: 28 – A: 30 – Pts: 54 – PIM: 33 – +/- (-19)
Justin Fazio (G) – GP: 52 – GAA: 3.68 – SV%: 0.896 – SO: 1
The team looks to have a fair bit of firepower up front with goal scorers like Adam Ruzicka, Drake Rymsha and Anthony Salinitri at the helm, but will struggle defensively simply by virtue of inexperience. In net Justin Fazio will be key for Sarnia and will undoubtedly dictate how far the club goes. All three of Ruzicka, Rymsha and Salinitri combined for 199 points last year, and
with the departure of both Jeff King and Kevin Spinozzi due to overage graduation, the trio will be expected to carry the scoring burden this season.
The other returning defencemen are Nick Grima, Connor Schlichting, Theo Calvas and Kelton Hatcher. Goalie Aidan Hughes is back, as well, and will have ample opportunity to backup Fazio throughout the season.
The Sting selected eight forwards, seven defencemen and one goaltender in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection Draft, bringing in a strong talent crop including players like centre Jamieson Rees of the Mississauga Reps – who registered 24 goals and 16 assists last season– and Alexandre Hogue of the Cumberland Grads – a unique defenceman with strong offensive abilities, posting 14 goals and 47 points in 44 games last season with the Grads.
Though it’s likely the Sting will once again battle for the division title, the organization lacks the sufficient experience to contend for the Memorial Cup. And with the Western Conference steadily improving each year, it is difficult to truly gauge how far the club will go this season and, more importantly, the playoffs.
