Post by torontogm on Jan 26, 2014 13:34:56 GMT -5
Toronto, ON - Over the summer the Toronto Marlies had a couple of key players depart, and let their coach of the last five years move on to the Louisville Thunder. The club with the youngest coach got considerably younger with the departure of top scorer Jeremy Williams and Hugh Jessiman to Europe and now Paul Szczechura to the big club. They also dealt Toby Peterson at the trade deadline last year. Their blueline lost their top defenseman, Slava Voynov, who has also been promoted to the Leafs.
The club needed some youngsters to step up and fill the offensive void and through the preseason they got excellent production out of newcomers Reilly Smith and Jordan Weal along with veteran Aaron Palushaj. Mark Stone looked as though he will be able to secondary scoring, and Michael Latta was very solid in a two-way role.
Along with Smith, Weal, and Latta the club has brought in defensemen Jonas Brodin and Adam Almquist. Goaltender Maxime Clermont appears to be headed for the EcHL, although with the club's depth in goal, this was expected. His one appearance did not go well. Veteran Mike Hedden has also joined the club to provide some secondary scoring and leadership.
The club also named its leadership group for the coming season. Brett Sterling, who served as alternate captain last year is the new captain, and will be assisted by alternates Keith Aulie and Casey Wellman.
The opening day lineup is expected to look like this:
Sterling / Weal / Smith
Hanson / Wellman / Palushaj
Hedden / Latta / Stone
Nigro / Werek / Froese
Brodin / Aulie
Moore / Brennan
Kampfer / Almquist
Bishop
Stalock
Waiting in the wings: Lack, Clermont, Taormina, McPherson, Leblanc, Dziurzynski, Finley
Eddie Lack is expected to start game two, but with his preseason struggles coach Gulutzan wants him to get a different perspective from up top.
"I had a couple of rough outings and need to be better," said the Stork. "I know the team has faith in me and I will have a good game."
The Marlies open the season hosting the Binghampton Senators.
--- Barbie Q. Pork for the Hogtown Hockey News
The club needed some youngsters to step up and fill the offensive void and through the preseason they got excellent production out of newcomers Reilly Smith and Jordan Weal along with veteran Aaron Palushaj. Mark Stone looked as though he will be able to secondary scoring, and Michael Latta was very solid in a two-way role.
Along with Smith, Weal, and Latta the club has brought in defensemen Jonas Brodin and Adam Almquist. Goaltender Maxime Clermont appears to be headed for the EcHL, although with the club's depth in goal, this was expected. His one appearance did not go well. Veteran Mike Hedden has also joined the club to provide some secondary scoring and leadership.
The club also named its leadership group for the coming season. Brett Sterling, who served as alternate captain last year is the new captain, and will be assisted by alternates Keith Aulie and Casey Wellman.
The opening day lineup is expected to look like this:
Sterling / Weal / Smith
Hanson / Wellman / Palushaj
Hedden / Latta / Stone
Nigro / Werek / Froese
Brodin / Aulie
Moore / Brennan
Kampfer / Almquist
Bishop
Stalock
Waiting in the wings: Lack, Clermont, Taormina, McPherson, Leblanc, Dziurzynski, Finley
Eddie Lack is expected to start game two, but with his preseason struggles coach Gulutzan wants him to get a different perspective from up top.
"I had a couple of rough outings and need to be better," said the Stork. "I know the team has faith in me and I will have a good game."
The Marlies open the season hosting the Binghampton Senators.
--- Barbie Q. Pork for the Hogtown Hockey News