Youth and speed are always in demand in junior hockey circles.
The Grandview Steelers feel they’ve got a good dose of both exiting the first stage of training camp, building towards the Sept. 6 Pacific Junior B Hockey League season opener.
Looking at replacing up to a dozen regulars from last year’s lineup, the Burnaby-based club has endured a healthy camp and begun the exhibition slate as some tough choices loom next week.
Head coach Stevan Matic said the influx of players vying for positions bring an impressive mix of skills to the table.
“We have a good mix. We have a couple of players bring some size and grit, we’ve got some who also bring a lot of speed and skill,” said Matic, entering his second season as the Steelers head coach. “We will have a very balanced lineup that no matter who we put out we’ll be very confident with what they’re able to do.”
There were some big holes to fill from last year’s squad, which marched all the way to the league semifinals before bowing out. Gone are aged-out captain Lucas Mercer and assistant captain Liam Cumberbirch, both defencemen, and forwards Keito Lee and Adam Rota off the top line.
Expected losses include Jacob Siebenga, who was second in team scoring as a rookie, Mateo Coltellaro and Joseph Santalucia – each getting good looks at higher levels.
The team also doesn’t expect starting goalie Matteo Paler-Chow back, likely making the Powell River junior A roster. A handful of other players are vying for spots at junior camps.
So while the finished product remains unknown, Matic is confident those coming up will be a good complement to those who do remain and help replenish a roster that went 28-9-2-5 last year.
“Our goal every season is to, No. 1, continue to get better as the season goes along.,” said Matic. “Get in the playoffs is the second goal and obviously try to win one round and go from there. We definitely expect to be a strong team again this season.”
The returning core begins up front with Nico Bruno, Braedan Gurney and Jeff Wong, who were among the team’s offensive leaders. Bruno finished third in team scoring with 12 goals and 27 assists, while Wong equalled Bruno’s goal total. Gurney netted 17 goals to finish third on the team in that department
The incoming ranks include promising forwards Michael Martino, Ethan Reilly and Ryan Riggs, all hometown products, Tomi Zlomislic, and six-foot-one Emerson Kostner, who played major midget last year.
On defence, veterans Cole MacEwen and Kristofor Zlomislic – Tomi’s older brother -- are expected to take on bigger roles, as is soon-to-be-18-year-old Brett Cox.
The netminding situation, however, could go from a definite strength to a major question mark, if both Paler-Chow and understudy Cale Dolan advance to junior A.
Both Matic and general manager Aldo Bruno are confident in Dolan’s abilities to take over as the No. 1 starter, as the rookie won all seven of his league starts last year and posted an impeccable 1.00 goals-against average. The six-foot-two son of Canadian soccer hall-of-famer Paul Dolan, Cale is currently at the Merritt Centennials training camp, and has an invitation to attend Yorkton’s of the Saskatchewan jr. A circuit.
“Goaltending is up in the air,” said GM Bruno. “Both (returning goalies) are at jr. A camp and I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see them again. We have four kids who are trying out, but you definitely want an older goalie who has some experience to provide stability back there.”
In the club’s first exhibition test, the Steelers fell 5-2 to Richmond on the weekend, and visit Langley on Saturday before hosting North Vancouver on Sunday, 4 p.m. at the Burnaby Winter Club.
The regular season opens Sept. 6 in Langley.
