Thirty-five of the fifty regular season games have passed for the North Bay Skyhawks and if teams in NOJHL got mid-season report cards the ‘Hawks wouldn’t be trying to hide this one from mom.
Thirty-five of the fifty regular season games have passed for the North Bay Skyhawks and if teams in NOJHL got mid-season report cards the ‘Hawks wouldn’t be trying to hide this one from mom.
The team has six points and four games in hand on second place Abitibi in the East Division standings and a four point lead for first overall in the league. North Bay is also the only NOJHL team currently ranked in the “CJHL Top 15 Power Rankings”, listed as 15th on Monday’s list.
Still, the team had been playing short as of late, due to injuries, suspensions and other personal matters, dressing as low as 14 skaters for recent games. With the short bench the team went to last weekend’s showcase tournament in the Soo and there the ‘Hawks lost back to back games to the hometown Eagles and Thunderbirds.
With the deadline to have players signed coming on January 10th it was becoming evident that head coach Ian Swalucynski was going to have to make some decisions. They needed to add depth for the final 15 games of the season and playoffs; but how much do you shake up a good dressing room? Coach Swalucynski thinks not much is the answer.
The team only made on major move at the deadline adding forward Alex Valenti from the B.C. Junior Hockey League in exchange for the rights to disgruntled defenseman Andrew Glasser who had been sitting at home for over a month.
“He almost had a point a game this year so far … he’s going to be a top 6 guy for us,” said the coach of Valenti who he plans to play on a line with Ryan Loach and Justin Villeneuve.
The move pushes the Skyhawks to 12 forwards on their roster, just enough for the 4 lines most junior teams run. That number would grow to 13 if forward Kyle Tront returns to the team, but coach Swalucynski isn’t sure if that will happen yet.
“I have no idea what he’s doing, I’ve spoken to him a couple of times … I guess I have no comment,” said the coach when asked about Tront. The forward was just cut from the QMJHL’s Baie-Comeau Drakkar after going pointless in a 6 game tryout.
Although the deadline to add players was January 10th, the team can still add free agents up to February 10th and they are looking to make some moves before then.
“We are looking at two kids from the states and one from B.C.” said the coach.
With only six defensemen on the roster the coach was asked if his priority was adding players to the back end; he acknowledged it was, but pointed out the answer on D may be under his nose.
“Scotty Britton has played admirably on D,” said Swalucynski, who has played his twenty year old forward on the blue-line to replace Glasser and injured defenseman Brad Norkum.
Britton however is part of another problem the ‘Hawks are going to have down the stretch; too many twenty year olds. The league only allows 9 to dress for games and the Skyhawks have 10 and all are regular players who play important roles.
“We had a meeting about a month ago with our 20 year olds and they know everyone will have to take their turn (sitting),” stated the coach of the issue.
That leaves North Bay short another body every game, but on top of adding free agents Swalucynski says he has a plan to fill the roster.
“We are going to use our affiliates,” he stated referring to players that have played with the club but are currently playing midget hockey in various Northern Ontario locations. When asked if Mitchell Davis was one of those players the coach responded dispiritedly saying:
“Unfortunately I don’t think Mitchell Davis will be allowed to play with us,” speaking to the lack of an agreement between the Skyhawks and the Midget “AAA” Trappers club that Davis now plays for. Davis opened the season with the Skyhawks but only recorded 2 points in 22 games before being allowed to return to his previous team, the Trappers.
Coach Swalucynski has shown his faith in the team all year long, stating often that he would only keep players around that truly wanted to be there. The team has let players go, like Glasser, who show great promise but don’t buy into the system. With the playoff fast approaching the coach feels that despite some questions with numbers his squad is ready.
“Every guy in that room is a playoff guy … they are all good guys with an edge,” boasted the coach.
The Skyhawks will try to end their losing streak tonight in Sudbury versus the Junior Wolves; game time is set for 8pm. The team then returns home to face the Blind River Beavers on Friday at 7pm.
