Questions abound for Knights
By MORRIS DALLA COSTA -- London Free Press
The London Knights open their Ontario Hockey League training camp today at the John Labatt Centre.
The Memorial Cup tournament being awarded to London has done something many didn't think possible. It has ratcheted the level of interest in junior hockey in this city to a higher level.
So 25 days before the start of the regular season, fans are already peppering anyone who knows anything about the team with questions about who, what and when.
Who would know better than Knights co-owner and general manager Mark Hunter? He'd probably be able to tell us about over-age players, whether Brandon Prust will be returning, whether the team will go with the same two-goalie system it used last year, whether any deals are in the wind.
So Mark, give us the scoop.
"Well, we're going to be announcing an event manager for the Memorial Cup soon at a press conference," Hunter said.
OK, what about on the ice? Any additions or subtractions? "You've got to get on the ice before you can see what you can add and subtract," Hunter replied.
Prust and Danny Richmond are two of four over-age players eligible to return. Logan Hunter and Rick Steadman are the others. Prust was a third-round pick this summer of the Calgary Flames, an unusually high pick for an over-ager. He hasn't signed yet. Will he be back?
"I don't know. I just don't have an answer for Richmond or Prust," Hunter said.
Are you thinking of upgrading the over-age position should either not be back?
"We've got to see what shakes out. Why trade for an over-age when you don't know who's going to be left here? . . . I really don't know."
Then there's the goaltending situation. Ryan MacDonald and Gerald Coleman shared the position last season. By the end of the year, neither was particularly happy with the situation.
Hunter isn't trying to hide anything and he isn't being difficult. While good planning has a great deal to do with the success of a junior hockey team, sometimes several plans have to be implemented to protect a team against unexpected situations.
The Knights are in that situation with Prust. He may be the player the Knights can least afford to lose. Should he remain, he's the stuff captains are made of. But if the Flames come up with enough money, Prust will be headed to the American Hockey League.
Prust is stronger, more skilled and a lot more polished than the free agent who came to training camp three years ago and given little chance of making the team. While he would probably love to play in London this year, how much more can he improve playing junior hockey?
Richmond was the 31st player selected in the NHL draft two years ago by the Carolina Hurricanes. His needs were evident after a season in the OHL. He had to get better defensively and a lot stronger.
But he, too, is eligible for play in the minors.
"We wait and see what happens," Hunter said. "We start camp, maybe start the season. We talk to Calgary and we talk to Carolina and get some feedback from them. Then we decide what to do. Right now, I just don't know."
The Knights will open camp with 68 players, seven of them goaltenders. Already in camp are their two imports, Russian centre Alexei Ivanov and winger Mathis Olimb, who last year played in the Norwegian Elite league.
The Knights report today for fitness training at 11 a.m. There will be two 45-minute practice sessions beginning at 5 p.m.
Scrimmages and practices will be held at 8.30 a.m. tomorrow and 8 a.m. on Thursday. Both run through to 5 p.m..
A week or two into training camp, there may be a clearer picture of what's going on.
But for now, they just don't know.
