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Post by ohl on Jul 24, 2007 8:45:18 GMT -5
1-Niagara Falls - perennial powerhouse, always ice a skilled team, goaltending finally solidified if Ludzik stays, & Scamurra very solid backup.
2-St Catharines - Defending champs lose alot of talent, and coach. always recruit well though. Also strong goaltending. Leveille could be breakout player of the year.
3- Stoney Creek - My big stretch here. Best management/coaching staff in the league. Solid recruiting, with renewed owner interest. Could very well be the surprise of the year. If Birch & Elliott return from OHL, they could win it all.
4- Thorold - Best of the rest. Decent returning core. Always strong defensively. Coach gets alot out of nothing during the regular season.
5- Welland - Same old here. Always underachieving. No goaltending as of right yet. New Manager & Coach. Will require adjustment peroid. McQuade if he returns could win the scoring championship.
6- Wheatfield - Team has made small strides in it's first few season. If all falls into place they could compete for 4th with Thorold * Welland. Biggest addition is new coach Chris Johnstone, also a decent core of returning players.
7 - Port Colborne - 1st year coach. lost alot of players, and from what I'm told most bridges have been burned by the Sailors with there recruiting tactics. Seems like to many unfulfilled promises have really caught up with them.
8 - Fort Erie - A team mainly made up of everybodies leftovers. Good Luck fellas.
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Post by hockeytalk on Jul 24, 2007 10:08:38 GMT -5
could you tell us exactly what ohl stands for  It has to have nothing to do about hockey , because you are in left field with your predictions !!! It's no wonder you and tool get along like kissing cousins ... |
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Post by ohl on Jul 24, 2007 10:21:46 GMT -5
it's just a prediction there slick. if you disagree you might get someone to actually listen to you or acknowledge you even, if you put some educated content in your reply as to why you would disagree. it's not askin to much, just type in a few words that will enlighten us on your hockey knowledge.
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Post by fishfan51 on Jul 24, 2007 11:16:30 GMT -5
Im going to go out on a limb and assume you mean 2007.....
Canucks
Falcons
Blackhawks
Warriors
Canadians
Blades
Meteors
Sailors
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Post by tool on Jul 24, 2007 11:26:20 GMT -5
this site is becoming increasingly infested with brainless bullies who hide behind an alias and take shots at people without any fear of reprisal.
it's really a detriment to the spirit of this forum, a place to share information on junior hockey.
the dialogue put forth by some posters is childish and cheap, gutless and weak.
i'm all for free speech. as long as it's intelligent.
if you've got nothing good to say hockeytalk, or don't care to offer your own predictions, why bother replying in this thread?
it speaks volumes about your character when all you can offer is a cheap shot.
what a wonderfully pathetic existence you must lead.
as for my predictions, i'm too gunshy at this point to predict the warriors will finish top three.
Birch is gone to the BCHL at the request of his US College. I don't expect he will be back. having said that, there are still some unknowns with the two US players who have been signed as well as this Osbourne kid from Nova Scotia.
Kavanagh will certainly give the team a legitimate scorer, as well as a tough competitor.
I expect the league will unfold as per usual, the teams that spend the most will be on top, with the remaining squads fighting for the middle ground.
haven't heard much from the other camps, so not sure where they are at in terms of recruitment.
i expect NF and St. Kitts will be near the top. Thorold always has a strong team. I think 4th for the Creek would be a major accomplishment this season.
only a few weeks away and we'll really start to see how the teams are progressing.
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Post by dude on Jul 24, 2007 11:49:19 GMT -5
I wouldn't count out the sailors so fast, although they had a rough ending last year, toffolo has hired all new staff, and they have a good bunch of young players returning.
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Post by scout on Jul 24, 2007 12:16:16 GMT -5
i think you people are as interested as i am to get the season going, but dont you think it is a little early to make predictions. the team that spends the most doesnt always end up winning. the falls recruits like everyone but they always find the guy that puts them over the top. alot of other teams bring guys in that make no impact and spend money for nothing. goalie situation on alot of teams is still up in the air. coaching? whos in falcon land, who is in fort erie. is groulx returning. how many of forts team is returning. who will be on port. they lost alot of guys. etc etc etc.
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Post by fanclub on Jul 24, 2007 14:13:13 GMT -5
Unfortunately for the canucks, Ludzik is gone, young Ryan will be going to Windsor to play for the spitfires, We wish him all the best because he will go far as he is a talented goalie.
As for Scummura he just needs to learn how to stand up and stop the puk. Besides the Canucks have Baldinelli, Candeloro and Rylands they not only have the experience but are talented players.
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Post by ohl on Jul 24, 2007 14:20:43 GMT -5
Is Ludzik really gone the Windsor to play, or to tryout. Andrew Engelage is there starter he's the same age as Ryan and he's going to an NHL camp. will they keep to 19 yr old goalies ? Or will they keep the 17 yr MAtt Hackett whom they kept ahead of Ryan Ludzik last year. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say no chance Ludzik makes that team.
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Post by fanclub on Jul 24, 2007 14:24:50 GMT -5
Ryan Ludzik was traded from the Erie Otters I would say that Ryan will be Windsors starting goalie
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Post by ohl on Jul 24, 2007 14:33:17 GMT -5
did you read what I wrote ? those same coaches kept these guys ahead of him last year. i think the trade was to have depth as a 3rd string who has OHL experience. I'm not trying to cut up Ryan here because my experience with him is he's a nice kid and a pretty good goalie, just not good enough for the OHL. don't forget he couldn't last with the worst team in the league last year.
PS - when he gets cut from Windsor, I expect him to get a tryout with Oshawa. his fathers good buddy is the head scout there.
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Post by heritage on Jul 25, 2007 13:22:07 GMT -5
canucks
canadiens
hawks
falcons
warriors
sailors
blades
meteors
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Post by tapeball on Jul 25, 2007 14:30:23 GMT -5
 ..4 what it's worth, Falcons..1st,,,,,best goaltending and good defense, some scoring power coming back but need more, good scouting and will pay to get the right players ( schooling ) good local talent to draw from, have already made some significant signings that will be revealed at the right time. Will continue improvement as they have done for the last three years. Canucks...2nd,,, have lost some scoring power but still have lots of talent on hand, defense has to improve, they were brutal in finals last year, goaltending another area that needs work, good local talent to draw from, owners will spend to bring in talent but to remain one of the best teams in the loop they have to bring in good team players that realize that the team comes first and their egos last. Warriors...3rd,,,because of what has been posted on here, I believe that Stoney are on their way to having their best year ever in this league.If all the signings are true then they should contend. They will have scoring power but goaltending has been a sore spot for a few years now and they need to improve the defensive core.They have some good young kids returning from last year and have plenty of local talent to balance their line up if they can sign them ahead of the other jr. teams in that area that compete for the same players. Blackhawks...4th,,,hate to pick them this low but with what they are losing this year, picking them higher them 4th would only be wishing rather then predicting.They have to get back to bringing top talented players as they did in the past, stop picking up players that only fill uniforms. Goaltending and defense should be ok this year, some shoes to fill on the blue line but the big problem is going to be goal scoring, need lots of help here. With what they have announced so far, they have not signed and big time scorers. Blades...5th,,,don't know much about what they have coming out this year but I do know Chris Johnstone and know what he can do with even limited talent. Everything about this team will improve this year and nobody will take them lightly anymore. Canadians...6th,,,this should be a re-building year for this team from the ground up.Their performance and work ethic in the past has to become a thing of the past. Lets hope the re-building process brings the Welland team back to the level of hockey they use to play at and see them contend as they did in years past. I hear nothing of any significant signings and we all know they need help all over particularly goaltending and defense. Sailors and Meteors...not going to predict who ends up last, I'll leave it up to them to decide. I do feel for the FE team because of the way they have developed players over the years and have those said players quit on them and demand trades to the higher standing teams. On the other hand PC are where they because of the way the team is operated. Seems to me what goes around, comes around.
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Post by laughout on Jul 25, 2007 14:51:54 GMT -5
Well tapeball I also agree that the Creek will be better. But if you remember last year everyone said the Sailors were done and they had a good year.
1. Creek
2. Niagara
3. St Catharines
4. Port Colborne
5.Welland
6. Wheatfield
7. Fort Erie
8. Thorold
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Post by legendz61 on Jul 25, 2007 15:20:22 GMT -5
ladies and gents i wouldnt count the meteors out just yet heard a few rumours of off season adjustments that could really help them do some damage this year
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Post by ohl on Jul 26, 2007 11:13:28 GMT -5
I would like to see Fort Erie do better. But I won't believe unti I see it. I will agree they have developed some good talent, but thta's more attributed to them having more roster spots available to younger players, and of course gives them the flexibilty to sell that developed talent the following season.
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Post by supersoaker on Jul 26, 2007 11:45:18 GMT -5
Fort Erie has quite a number of kids eligible to return this season , whether they all return or not is always the question , but if they retain these guys for this upcomming season Fort Erie just may surprise alot of us !!
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Post by ohl on Jul 26, 2007 12:07:23 GMT -5
I agree, But I think Steckley & Fairgrieve are going to the OHL, neither goalie will return if they have ANY other option available, this I know for sure. I have to guess Giroux will be sold to Tier II, Potter is gone to play lacrosse, I'm not really sure if that leaves them any Jr cailber players though.
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Post by supersoaker on Jul 26, 2007 13:22:08 GMT -5
Wow Mr. ohl , you sure sound like you are pretty close to the Fort Erie team , or you could be just one of those guys out there that call these players all summer to try to entice them to play elsewhere !! And i will go on record right now to say that you have no clue !!!!!! Stay in your little armpit of the G.H.L. and tell us about what's going on in Stoney Creek and stop trying to downgrade other teams in the league ...
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Post by ohl on Jul 26, 2007 14:51:51 GMT -5
what are you talking about. I can comment on any team in the league thoroughly, as I have contacts with each team. I'm not a volunteer or hangre on like you probably are. You always have to beek off and make it personal, why don't you just beat it. Why don't we have a friendly bet as to how many of those mentioned players play for fort erie this year. i can only think of to reasons you wouldn't bet, no balls & no cash.
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Post by supersoaker on Jul 26, 2007 15:28:08 GMT -5
Your not a volunteer , or a fan . So you are a coach or wanna be agent that screws with these JR kids heads !!! Oh you can comment on any team , no one see's a problem with that , but that's a pretty "out there" comment on the Meteors not having any " JR caliber " players left if they loose 2 or 3 or 4 even !!! Mr. Walters , Letwin , Krupa , Inglis , Vannatter , Gilchrist , and Jackson might disagree with your not so brilliant remark ...
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Post by ghlfanny on Jul 26, 2007 17:02:10 GMT -5
i'd have to disagree with ohl on stating that fairgrieve will be leaving for the OHL, nothing against the kid but he is not ready for Tier II let alone the OHL, there's not a chance the kid is more than a buck 60 and was a very mediocore player on a team that had a mediocore season. Also it is obvious that you not very bright when it comes to hockey with comments like FE not having any JR calibre players, come on, they might not be 100 point scorers but they can play.
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Post by ohl on Jul 26, 2007 17:29:17 GMT -5
do any of you guys have the ability to post something without making personal comments like you don't know anything etc.. if you have a different opinion, it would be nice to read what you think / why you think differently. not this usual garbage like you know nothing, and that's it. Is it possible to have a sensible conversation with anybody on here. PS Fairgrieve is 180 minimum now as I know who trains him, Krupa is also leaving to be a track athlete. Inglis isn't going anywhere else, Letwin is dying to leave, so who does that leave that is Jr quality, I'll agree Gilchrist & Vanatter are OK but come on really guys, Try taking in some other leagues and you'll see what I mean by Jr Calibre players. you might actually agree, instead of arguing out of emotion, or arguing just for the sake of arguing.
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Post by legendz61 on Jul 26, 2007 18:57:08 GMT -5
after talking to some people i heard that fort erie will be affiliating with a teir II team cant really recall the name i think it was the home town of the giroux kid port hope somewhere around those lines. but if the players from fort erie hears new of this im sure they will convinced to return and maybe even get some new players..although im not sure about the meteors and spending money so it may be just amyth but ive heard it from a few sources but we shall find out..
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Post by supersoaker on Jul 26, 2007 21:56:52 GMT -5
Geeze legendz61 , you're ruining all my fun with this ohl , and tool know-it-alls !!! The Meteors have affiliated with Port Hope . Fort Erie should dress it's strogest team in years this season , and just might surprise a few people out there .. It's very entertaining reading how this ohl guy know's everyone ... (edited - Personal Attack/Offensive Comment)
Moderator's Note: An official warning has been issued to the poster.
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Post by gunnerstahl on Jul 26, 2007 22:53:17 GMT -5
I think people are placing Thorold too low. I like their signings with Cote and Blujus. I wouldn't be suprised to see Cote in the top 5 in scoring he was an impact player in the OPJHL and put up good numbers on an awful team. Blujus stats were also decent and he should be an impact player in the league.
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Post by ohl on Jul 27, 2007 7:32:11 GMT -5
Supersoaker, I was aware of the proposed Affiliation with Port Hope as I talk to Tony periodically throughout the off season. I just don't see how it helps the Meteors al that much. The one positive is it gives some of those younger boys the opportunity to perhaps move forward to the program, or at the very least play a few games, as Port Hope is a great franchise and ALWAYS plays a lot deeper in the post season than Fort Erie's usual 4 or 5 and out playoff runs. It really looks like a 1 way street for Port Hope. Sorry if I burst your bubble about you very special privy information you had about Fort Erie.
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Post by tool on Jul 27, 2007 9:42:38 GMT -5
if fort erie is affiliating with A tier II A team they are doing so in spite of the league-wide agreement to not affiliate with any OPJHL teams. my understanding is the league executive and team executives talked about not affiliating with Tier II in an effort to support the new GOHL as an "on par" league.
correct me if i'm wrong. i know the warriors have turned down two affiliation offers in an effort to honour this "agreement" by the GHL teams and exec.
and supersoaker: why are you always taking cheap shots at people? I have never claimed to "know it all". In fact, I know quite little as opposed to people like ohl and others on this thread. my knowledge is limited to the creek.
i echo ohl's comments - why not try and present information that is useful to this discussion board rather than unleash random attacks on people you seem to have issues with.
you only discredit yourself by acting like a bully slamming people you don't know. can't we all try for once to keep this above board. i for one am going to make a concerted effort to keep my comments on topic and not personal. i hope you will try the same.
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Post by frenchman on Jul 27, 2007 14:46:23 GMT -5
Fort Erie affiliated because they realized they arnt on par, if so why would 3 of the top players in the western jr.b leave for aurora?
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Post by gunnerstahl on Jul 27, 2007 14:55:51 GMT -5
Fort Erie affiliated because they realized they arnt on par, if so why would 3 of the top players in the western jr.b leave for aurora? Maybe to win a royal bank cup? I'm pretty sure Aurora's a bad example seeing as how they are pretty much the top program across the country. |
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It has to have nothing to do about hockey , because you are in left field with your predictions !!! It's no wonder you and tool get along like kissing cousins ... 
..4 what it's worth,