Hornets working on final line–up

August 27, 2014 · 0 Comments

With the start of the Junior C season just two weeks away, the Alliston Hornets are putting the final roster together for their quest to reclaim the Georgian Mid Ontario Hockey League championship.
After winning the League for six consecutive seasons and claiming the provincial Schmalz Cup title twice, the Hornets lost to the Penetang Kings in the final round last season.
“We have signed Nick Arcan – he played with us about three years ago. He played with Penetang then Junior B last year,” Said Hornets GM Rick Bartlett of what has been happening in the line-up. “We signed Matt Taylor who played as a defenceman for Mount Forest last year. Tuck (Jacob – forward) and Bennett (Jamie – forward) are back, we signed them. Brindle is back.”
Goalie Tyler Brindle played 21 games last season ending with a 2.24 goals against average for the regular season.
“We have 14 returning players,” Bartlett said. “We’re going with 23 – the last two years with everybody handing out 23 cards there’s no cut-downs anymore. Come December 1, you can’t find anybody. We figure with 23 – we start out with that. It means three kids will be sitting, but there’s always guys with suspensions or guys that are working or hurt.”
The first big test will come with the annual Hornets Junior C tournament on September 5,6,7.
On the bench, Clay Birkett will be back in the head position. Returning assistant coaches include Scott Hutchinson and Trevor Belrose. New on the bench are Justin Murray – former coach of the Midland Flyers and assistant coach with the Orangeville Junior A Flyers last season, and Blair Molto who was with the Stayner Siskins last year.
The GMOHL is maintaining it’s ten team line-up for the new season with the 40 game scheduled getting underway on Thursday, September 11, with the opening game between the Hornets and the Schomberg Cougars in Schomberg.
The Hornets home opener is scheduled for Friday, September 19, when they host the Cougars at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre in Alliston.
The puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

By Brian Lockhart