After coming agonizingly close to a repeat championship, the Mount Forest Patriots have reloaded and are looking to take back the crown.
A game 7 loss to the Hanover Barons in the Pollock Division Final has the Pats hungry to get back to the heights they've enjoyed a lot on recent years. GM Josh Kiel has been busy trying to restock a roster that finished 2nd in the standings last season, and will return a very strong cast along with the entire coaching staff. Former players Zac Coulter (Head Coach), Troy Weber and Dean Nixon (Assistant Coaches) and veteran bench presence Mike Orr (Assistant Coach) all return to lead a Patriots group that should once again be a contender in the division.
When it comes to losses from last year's team, none loom larger than larger-than-life talent, Brody LeBlanc. LeBlanc was a monster after joining the Patriots the season prior from Jr. B St. Marys, and last year, in a full season, he scored 50 goals and 101 points in one of the most dominant individual regular seasons in league history. He's a player you simply can't replace, you have to move on from him. Also not returning from last year is fellow overagers Jack Micone, a late addition last year from Alliston who had 18 points, and Seth Huygen, who scored 12 points in just 10 games. Huygen is going back to play for Jr. B Komoka. Keegan Detweiler, a speedy rookie from last year, will also not return due to school commitments and a focus on high level lacrosse.
Despite those losses, Mount Forest is actually in what GM Josh Kiel calls a "favourable position" due to a lack of heavy turnover.
Returning up front is 2nd leading scorer Matt McLellan, a league rookie last season who amassed an impressive 57 points in 40 games. Jaxon Gawel, a fellow rookie, also returns after a 42 point effort in 41 games, good for 3rd on the team. Will Lewis, the 4th leading scorer for the Pats, also comes back with a chance to pump up his 39 point effort in 38 games. Pretty solid to bring back a trio of point-per-gamers. The big addition is a Sutherland Cup champion from last year's Listowel Cyclones, and the GOJHL playoff MVP in local boy Luke Eurig. Eurig was a monster for the Cyclones and represents an heir apparent to LeBlanc not only offensively, but leadership wise, as well. Being in his hometown will surely be a point of pride for the 21-year-old, who can change a game instantly with his speed and lethal shot. Reid Caswell, another leader, is back to drive opponents nuts and punish anyone who skates near him. A good majority of last year's rookie players are back for another go round, so Mount Forest won't have many fears in terms of scoring.
The back end will see the return of the entire D core that saw the Patriots defend very well last season. Only the Barons allowed fewer goals (94) than the Pats at 103. Austin Griffin is back to bring his blend of smooth offensive operating (36 points) and punishing, shut down defending. Charlie "Chuck" McKenzie, who has grown in leaps and bounds since becoming a Patriot, will also be back to log power play time and provide crisp outlet feeds for this great attacking group of forwards. Aidan Doig, another veteran leader, will bring back his stout defensive game. Aaron McGuirk is also back, rounding out a top 4 that was very stingy for the Pats in a year when they came up just a hair short of a title. This group will be hungry to come back and get some revenge.
When teams have looked down the ice at the Patriots net over the last number of years, they typically find themselves staring down a pretty good goalie. Last year was no different, and neither will this year, as star goalie Marshall Nicholls will be back to be the same game stealing horse he was last season. Nicholls was signed after time spent with OHL Erie, and he instantly became a rock in the crease, with a 20-3-1 record, a 1.95 GAA and .940 save percentage to go with 4 shutouts. Simply put, he was one of, if not arguably THE, best goalie in the PJHL. He didn't fade at all in the playoffs either, right down to the game 7 wire that saw the Pats fall just short. He will return very motivated to ensure that doesn't happen again.
The Patriots have designs on getting back atop the Pollock Division, and despite some big and notable losses, they return with a roster full of players motivated to chase a different ending. The Pats open the year on September 13 at home against the Kincardine Bulldogs at 8:30 p.m., followed by another home date on September 14 at 8 p.m. against Walkerton.
For a full deep dive on the Patriots and their roster this season, check out the full interview with GM Josh Kiel here, courtesy of Instigating with Clarkey and Drury: