2014/2015 Season

Very proud of the boys this year! No one thought they would make the Eastern Finals!
Fans should be very happy with the 2013/2014 season

Looking ahead to next year.. Here is what I see without any rookies.. Fill the gaps where you think
3 OAs next year Dundas, Brown, Carlisle should all be back.

Forwards
Dal Colle Cassels Smith
Latour Sterk Busch
Wallace Harding Dundas
Mcdade Manchurek ???????

Brown Vande Sompel
Desrocher Petschenig
Carlisle ??????

Altshuler
Appleby
Broduer

As far as the Regular season goes all fans were surprised - the playoffs - well it is always sad to see the end - this time - it's how

it happened - most expected a 6 or 7 game defensive series - sometimes it appeared like it was meant to be for North Bay

They were better prepared and it showed - however it's better to have been in the east final than not - hopefully we can get back again in

my lifetime

As far as next year - Templeton will be here for sure - Carlise may chose the college route - Brown may go to the A H L hope he is back

Altshuller most likely will move on - Our 1 st rd pick will make the team and who knows

I know that both the fans and the players are disappointed that they didn't get to the OHL final but I would like to thank the players for a fantastic and entertaining year.  What a pleasure it was to have Laughton return and to watch him for one more season.  

It's unfortunate that there wasn't another home game, so that we could have expressed our thanks to all of them and to say goodbye to the players who won't be returning next year.  

Good luck to the players moving on and much success in your hockey careers.

Thanks also to D.J.  He did an amazing job and he gave the rookies every opportunity to get experience in all situations.  How many of you remember the years when former coaches would sit the rookies on the bench for most of the season?

Well done one and all!

As far as the Regular season goes, I was shocked. I mean when we got Laughton back I expected to move from a boarder line playoff team to a 4th or 5th place team. I had assumed Kingston was just by far the best team in the East. Heading into the playoffs the Gens play tailed off and then round 1 wasn't exactly a solid effort. Once I saw that I figured if they got Barrie they where likely done in Round 2. But they got lucky and got Peterborough. As a Generals fan I held out hope against North Bay, But after game 1 I knew it would be a sweep or 4-1 series lost. North Bay just dominated them.

As far as next season, here's my projected lineup -
Dal Colle - Cassels - Smith
Latour - Harding - Sterk
Busch - Pu - Wallace
Dundas - McDade - Manchurek

Brown - Vande Sompel
Petschenig - Templeton
Desrocher - Carlisle

Appleby
Brodeur

A little more depth to my projected lineup. Altshuller can return, but I highly doubt he does. I'd say about 5% chance he returns. Carolina (who owns his rights) is rebuilding, they have Cam Ward on the trade block, Justin Peters is a UFA going into the off-season, former Belleville Bull Mike Murphy has toiled away in the minors for 4 years now, and will likely either backup in Carolina or start in Charlotte next season. John Muse was the backup in Charlotte, he's a college free agent signing by the Hurricanes and was up and down from the ECHL and AHL. In all likelyhood the Hurricanes will want Daniel to turn pro next season. Even if he's starting in the ECHL it gives them the option to bring him up to the AHL or NHL whenever they please and he gets a pro season under his belt.
Josh Brown, first off my personal opinion is he doesn't exactly have the foot speed necessary to turn pro just yet and an OA season playing big minutes in the OHL will help him more then being a healthy scratch in the AHL or playing few minutes in the ECHL. Secondly the Panthers system is pretty stacked with prospects. The NHL squad returns Brian Campbell, Erik Gudbranson, Dmitry Kulikov, Ed Jovanovski, Dylan Olsen and Alex Petrovic. Olsen, Kulikov & Gudbranson are all RFA's and will receive qualifying offers. They have youngsters Colby Robak, Jonathan Racine, Shayne Taker & Jonathen Lee all suiting up regularly for the AHL squad in San Antonio, all of whom are signed for next season. Throw in prospects MacKenzie Weeger of the Halifax Mooseheads who will be turning pro next season and Mike Matheson of Boston College who is widely known to likely be turning pro next season. As well expect the Panthers to bring Aaron Ekblad in with the 1st overall pick in the draft. It just doesn't seem likely he turns pro. I'd say 80% chance he's back in Oshawa.
Chris Carlisle, while he can return and will likely want to return, I feel his OA spot can be better utilized. He'll likely start the season in Oshawa, but will ultimately end up playing C.I.S hockey or being moved to a younger OHL team bound to miss the playoffs.
Justice Dundas, I think he is a good fit for an OA. He attended SJ Sharks camp last year, he does have offensive ability, he just doesn't get a chance to show it. He's gonna be 20 year old who people don't wanna mess with, I think he can be utilized in Oshawa. Although come the deadline if we are in a position to contend for a title he could find himself upgraded upon.

Prospects - 2014 Draft, Look for Defenseman Riley Stillman to crack the Generals lineup next season as a 7th defenseman. He likely won't get much ice, but all it takes it one injury and he could be in. I think he's capable of playing as the 6th D-Man, having seen him play 4 times this season. Joseph Cecconi played in the USHL, an looks to be going the college route, but if he comes to the OHL he could push Stillman out of a spot. Dawson Shackelton, likely a year away, but he's a real physical meat and potatoes type player and I can see DJ falling in love with this kid. I think a year in the OPJAHL would do him best, but there is a shot he makes the club. These 3 prospects all have a shot, but many things can happen. If Carlisle is released prior to the season, Brown doesn't come.. then for sure will see Stillman. But if they both return and we spend import picks on D we may not see any of them. Luke Keenan, will likely be the only forward other then Pu that cracks the roster of the 2014 draft picks but, Dom Commisso has an outside shot, he's a bit on the smaller side, so a year of Tier 2 would be beneficial, but the kid can score so it wouldn't shock me to see him around. Same goes for Zach Senecal, from Minor Bantam to Minor Midget the kid has been a prolific goal scorer and I don't see that stopping anytime soon. He lacks some size and strength but will likely see this kid in a Generals jersey within the next couple seasons. If Joseph Woll decide to come to the OHL, he is better then Brodeur, and could push Appleby for starts. If Woll does come it likely wouldn't be to 15-16 but you never know. Liam Devine is also an interesting goaltending prospect. He's 6'3, 216 and mobile, if Brodeur doesn't end up coming, he'll likely push for the backup spot.

Prospects - 2013 Draft, first off Chase Pearson. Pearson would make the Generals a real threat next season. He would instantly slide in as the 2nd line center, very worst case scenario 3rd line center able to produce points. He's expected to be a mid round NHL pick this coming draft. He's still un-committed but suited up in the USHL once the Cornwall Colts where eliminated from the CCHL playoffs. People keep your fingers crossed this kid comes to Oshawa, he would be a really great piece. Daniel Robertson saw 5 games action with the Generals this season, he looked like he had some upside, he'll likely challenge this years crop of 3 defensemen I previously mentioned for a spot. Given he suited up this season for 5 games, he likely has the inside track on a spot. At just 154lbs hopefully he's beefed up a bit, because he won't withstand the rigors of an OHL season at that weight. Ian Johnston of the Kanata Stallions (CCHL), had a decent rookie season this year, not a real big point producer with just 12 points in 57 games, but was consistently a point per game plus producer throughout his minor career. Could see him playing an Owen McDade role with next seasons Generals squad. Rhodes Dolan, a 6'4 180lb defenseman playing for the Omaha Lancers U-18 AAA squad has always interested me. I'm not sure what his deal is as far as OHL or NCAA but with that size he may have something to offer. Patrick Grasso, just 5'5 130lbs, but committed to New Hampshire University in 15-16 is an interesting prospect as well. He had 24 points in 59 games with Des Moines of the USHL. He play's center and should be drafted in the later rounds of this NHL draft. Teams could ask him to go the OHL route.
Kelly Summers, 2012, 6th Round pick. Just won a CCHL title with the Carleton Place Canadians. He is their best d-man, and best d-man in the entire loop. He'll be a mid round pick in this NHL draft. 60 points in 56 games last season & 33 points in 59 games as a rookie. Committed to Clarkson University next season, I can see NHL teams asking him to come to the OHL, especially considering Clarkson isn't exactly a NCAA power house.

The 2014-2015 season will be a big season for the Generals, if guys like Pearson, Summers & Grasso decide to come to the OHL, Wow, lookout ! Even if they don't the Generals are in a good position going forward and should once again contend for a league title. If Dal Colle makes the NHL it could throw a wrench into the plans though. But I feel while he's a solid prospect, he has some holes in his game that will be exposed at the NHL level and one more season in the OHL will do him well. Especially given he'll likely play in the Subway Super Series, World Juniors & have a long playoff run.

Should be interesting to see if we could pluck some OA's from other clubs in the off-season. Possibly a Euro as well. An also should be interesting to see who we grab in the Import Draft.

In summary, I truly enjoyed this season. It was one of the best seasons I witnessed being a season ticket holder for many years. What I found most intriguing was the development of our youth and how much they improved from the start to the finish of the season. However, one thing in my opinion, something I had never seen before(that I can remember), was the very perplexed situation Oshawa was in at trading deadline. Oshawa was in first place, so who in the hell would even think trading Laughton would of been the right move. Your in first place in your division.....but when you seen how strong the other teams where in the other divisions Oshawa would of had to made some extreme moves to meet them head to head. So Oshawa made a couple of box office trades and see where the cards lie in the playoffs. Grant it, the players they picked up, for zero expense practically, had pretty good talent. Personally, if they had traded Laughton at deadline I think they would of still carried through to the eastern final. Keep in mind they would of grabbed some younger players that could of still helped in the playoffs. I can't see them going for just draft picks they would of grabbed a good young player. Oshawa was in by FAR the weakest division and there points still put them 5th overall.
As for the North Bay series...wow...I had not seen North Bay play much this year but give credit where its due, this was a dam good hockey team...coached well and the team was big and fast. Oshawa was not in the same league with them...sorry but thats just how I felt...I know a lot of you figured they had a chance....but....this is a message board and we all are intitled to our opinions. I am very curious to see how NB will stand up to Guelph...I personally think NB is going to give them a run for the money.
All in all...it was a very entertaining year and I did not expect the Generals to do as well as they did..It was a pleasant surprise and I am very proud of the boys and thankful for all there hard work they endured through the year...Great job Gennies! See ya next year...

Macker88 wrote:
Luke Keenan, will likely be the only forward.

Congrats to my long time best bud @lukekeenan89 for committing to Princeton. Great lax player, better guy. #LuvU #BrightFuture

 had a great time this season at the games and here on the message board congratulations to the team and coaching staff and look forward to next year as a season ticket holder again section 114 and thanks to all the folks in our section for making everyone welcome, hopefully we see you all next fall and have a great summer.

one last thing......  Macker88 you must have a lot of time on your hands to be able to come up with all this info hahaha
and it is most appreciated if i may say by all of us on the message board THANK YOU.  

GO HABS GO

I knew Luke Keenan had lacrosse offers, just figured since he went so high he was leaning towards the OHL. He has strong bloodlines in both hockey and lacrosse. I believe Derek Keenan (Edmonton Rush & Whitby Warriors Coach) is his uncle & Mike Keenan is also some how related to him.

Well ag48 I'm glad you appreciate it, and its not that I have tons of time on my hands, more so my jobs revolve around hockey. I write and scout so I come across this info without doing much research.