CENTRE ICE FEBRUARY 2014

LIAM MAGUIRE 5 | CATCHING UP WITH PETER MAHOVLICH 11 | PROUDEST MOMENT 13

CENTRE-ICE.CA

MARCH 2014

DOMINANT DEFENDER

JACOB MIDDLETON WIN-WIN SITUATION SWAP OF VETERANS PAYS OFF BIG FOR BRADFORD, BLANDISI

THE OFFICIAL HOCKEY MAGAZINE OF THE OTTAWA 67’s

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o t t i s n a r T e k a T e m a G e th Count on OC Transpo to get you to the game on time!

Connexion 400 service

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Centre Canadian Tire Centre

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For departure times, call 560-1000 plus your 4-digit bus stop number. Schedules are also available at octranspo.com and octranspo.mobi, or by calling 613-741-4390.

Centre Rideau Centre

Mackenzie King

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Routes 403 and 404 will operate two trips each, while Routes 401, 402, 405 and 406 will operate one trip before and after the game.

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Take your local bus to the nearest Transitway Station and make your connection to a 400 route, or transfer downtown to Route 403. Find the right 400 route for you on the map, as well as major transfer points and Park & Ride lots.

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Routes 401, 402, 403, 404, 405 and 406 are your connection from across the city to the 67’s games at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Longfields

Parc-o-bus

Strandherd

406

Marketplace Barrhaven Centre

Park & Ride

Travel Planning

Nine Park & Ride lots are served by Connexion 400 routes. Parking is free, except at Baseline during selected time periods.

Get trip planning made easy with the Travel Planner at octranspo.com. Enter the Canadian Tire Centre as your destination, then the automated Travel Planner will customize a travel plan for you, including schedules and maps.

• Regular one-way bus fare is $3.40 or two bus tickets ($1.50 each), $2.55 for Seniors 65+, $1.80 or one ticket for children age 6-12, free for children age 5 and under.

Fares July 1, 2013

You can transfer to a Connexion 400 route with proof of payment — a transit pass, transfer, Daypass or O-Train ticket.

Going Home Your Connexion 400 bus will be waiting for you after the game at the same stop where you were dropped off.

• A Family DayPass costs only $7.95 and is valid on Saturdays and Sundays.

• Or, use your transit pass or PRESTO card.

INFO 613-741-4390 octranspo.com

LIAM MAGUIRE

Armchair critics aren’t helping young players

PUBLISHER MARK SUTCLIFFE mark@greatriver.ca ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER DONNA NEIL donna@greatriver.ca CHIEF STICKHANDLER & ADVERTISING LIAM MAGUIRE liam@greatriver.ca EDITOR DAVID SALI david@greatriver.ca CONTRIBUTORS SARAH JEAN MAHER, RANDY RAY CREATIVE DIRECTOR TANYA CONNOLLY-HOLMES DESIGN & PRODUCTION SARAH ELLIS ADVERTISING KAREN MCNAMARA 613 238-1818 ext. 259 karenm@greatriver.ca

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fter this year’s world junior championship, I scoured social media looking for scathing criticisms of an underachieving team from a hockey powerhouse.

Not Canada, but our neighbours to the south.

For the second time in three years, a highly touted U.S. squad favoured to challenge for gold did not even make the podium at the world juniors. In fact, the team’s fifth-place finish this year was only marginally better than the Americans’ seventh-place result in 2012. (To be fair, those abysmal endings bookended a gold-medal performance in 2013.)

Yet, in my hunt for condemnations of the U.S. juniors, I found virtually nothing. No call for a symposium or think-tank on the state of junior hockey in the U.S. No revaluation or demand for a revamp of the minor hockey system.

Canada, meanwhile, finished fourth and out of the medals for the second year in a row, and critics in this country could hardly wait to pounce.

Despite earning a semi-final berth I think those can be addressed and at the tournament for the 16th are not major red flags. consecutive year, despite a record in I love the work ethic of our the under-18 world championship young players, which you can see that the rest of the world can only in any arena on any night. But I dream about – 21 medals in 23 wish we would ease up a little in years, including 18 gold – Team pushing our youngest players into Canada’s juniors continue to come game competition. Why were the under fire. People masquerading initiation programs changed from as media or knowledgeable three years to two? Why was there a bloggers keep screaming from the move to have Rep B in Novice? Why mountaintops that we must be should any child under the age of devoid of talent in this country. nine ever have to travel more than Despite missing four potential 20-25 minutes to play? stars who are in the NHL, including I love the game, I love coaching this year’s Calder Trophy winner and I stress skill development.

Nathan MacKinnon (yes, I’m calling it However, based on what I’ve seen, now), despite the fact that a whopping there is still too strong an urge 55 players in this year’s world juniors among many minor hockey coaches compete in our Canadian Major and executives to make children play Junior Hockey League, despite Canada games as quickly as possible and win finishing first in its pool and beating at all costs. There has to be a way to the archrival U.S. on New Year’s Eve teach kids how to compete and win again, too many in this nation continue at a high level while developing their to rip these young men. It’s sad and skills at the same time. disgusting, but it’s the Canadian way.

Have any thoughts? Please send Brent Sutter’s coaching methods, them along. Whether you’re a parent, Hockey Canada’s selection process player, coach or volunteer, I’d love to and key breakdowns by the team at hear from you. pivotal moments in the tournament - Liam@greatriver.ca are interesting water cooler discussion topics. But I would rather take a closer look at the feeder system to our junior programs, including players, coaches, volunteers and parents right here in the Ottawa region.

Despite registration numbers that are treading water, I believe the cream will keep rising to the top and this country will continue to produce a significant number of star junior-aged players. I do see a few areas of concern in our next generation of talent, including some basic skill deficiencies, but PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON

5

MAKING HIS CASE ON DEFENCE

BLUELINER MIDDLETON’S STOCK RISING AHEAD OF NHL DRAFT

BY SARAH JEAN MAHER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK HOLLERON

J

acob Middleton is a selfdescribed normal teenager who hangs out with friends, works at a furniture store in the summer and keeps tabs on his Twitter account.

He’s living the “not-soexciting” life of an 18-year-old, as he puts it.

Well, except for the part about being one of the top hockey prospects in the country.

On game nights, the 67’s defenceman, who is ranked among the top 100 domestic skaters by NHL Central Scouting, makes sure he arrives at the Canadian Tire Centre before anyone else.

He plays two-touch sewer ball before hitting the ice to get his feet going. He tapes two of his sticks and leaves one on the rack. One of those sticks is branded with his Twitter handle, @MiddzClassy.

He chooses not to think about it too much, but he’s preparing for the biggest day of his life, and it’s only a few months away. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound Middleton is expected to be chosen in this June’s NHL draft.

For now, he is focusing on his job with the 67’s. A slew of injuries to Ottawa’s blue line this season has put even more responsibility on his talented, broad shoulders than he

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originally expected.

It’s all about how you handle it, says Middleton, who turned 18 in January.

“Pressure is what you make of it, right?” he says.

Ottawa landed Middleton last season in a trade that sent veterans Cody Ceci and Steven Janes to the Owen Sound Attack.

The Attack had been looking to make a playoff push, while the 67’s were looking to kickstart their rebuilding process.

In Owen Sound, Middleton was stuck behind the likes of overagers Keevin Cutting and Nathan Chiarlitti, key components of an older, stronger defensive corps.

The chance for more ice time in Ottawa worked in Middleton’s favour. He is now one of the leaders of a young, inexperienced defensive squad – a role in which 67’s head coach and GM Chris Byrne says he has been looking more and more comfortable.

“Jacob has played very well for us,” Byrne says. “At the start, he’d have a couple good games and then a poor game, and I think he’s kind of taken

enjoy the game. those (bad) games out and has “Hopefully, someone gives been pretty steady for us.” me the opportunity (in the Though Byrne has often draft),” Middleton says. “From shuffled his blueline pairings, Middleton has spent a lot of time then on, I just want to do my best to impress through my partnered with Alex Lintuniemi, next couple seasons.” a native of Finland who is also Middleton knows getting the draft-eligible this summer. opportunity to play his physical, “(Lintuniemi’s) a smart shutdown style is important, player, he’s big, and he really especially down the stretch. does well in the defensive zone, so I really enjoy playing with him,” Middleton says.

TOP PROSPECT STATUS His improved play ultimately He had the chance to showcase earned Middleton a spot in the his skill on an even bigger stage Canadian Hockey League’s Top last month, when he was invited Prospects game in early January to play in the Top Prospects and with it a chance to raise game as an injury replacement his stock in the draft. But the for Saskatoon Blades big day in June, and the hype defenceman Nelson Nogier. leading up it, isn’t something The invitation came as quite he’s focusing on right now. Not a surprise. with a possible playoff spot on “I didn’t believe Byrnie when the line for the 67’s. he told me,” Middleton says. “I “Everyone wants to look at had seen the roster and knew I winning teams and the individual wasn’t on it. I thought he was just players who make up a winning making fun of me or something.” team,” he says. “If we can be a Middleton represented playoff team, it’ll help everyone out.”

JACOB MIDDLETON Still, the motivation to work harder is always present. Knowing pro scouts are keeping a close eye on you is, according to Middleton, nervewracking at first.

However, he says he has learned to live in the moment and

ROOKIE CENTRE TRAVIS KONECNY (LEFT) & MIDDLETON HAVE BECOME FAST FRIENDS.

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Team Cherry in the game at Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome on Jan. 12. His teammates included highly touted centre Sam Reinhart of the Kootenay Ice, who is expected to be a top-five pick in June.

“I watched (Reinhart) play in the world juniors like everyone else and figured it would be a pretty cool experience to play with such a high skill-level (player),” Middleton says.

With all eyes on him, the big blueliner didn’t waste any time making an impression, dropping the gloves with fellow defenceman Aaron Haydon of the Niagara IceDogs near the end of the first period. Both players were nearly ejected from the game, but instead were handed major penalties.

“My intention for the game wasn’t to fight,” Middleton says. “But he had asked me to, and I wasn’t going to say no.”

Team Cherry lost to Team Orr in what turned out to be a 4-3 thriller, but for Middleton the trip to Calgary was mission accomplished.

“I went in wanting to make a CENTRE ICE MARCH 2014

NEVER A DULL MOMENT

Middleton spent the first eight years of his life in Wainwright, Alta., before moving to Stratford, southwest of Toronto. He grew up with younger brother Keaton always taunting him.

Fortunately for him, he’s been able to reprise the role of big brother with his roommate, 16-year-old Travis Konecny.

“He’s just like another younger brother in the (dressing) room, always making comments and chirping,” Middleton says of Ottawa’s young star in the making.

Konecny, a leading contender for rookie of the year, has made a smooth transition to the OHL. He appreciates having someone he can look up to in Middleton – and not just because the veteran is four inches taller.

“It’s good having him here to learn from,” Konecny says. “He’s been here for a year and I let him be the example for me.

He’s also just a lot of fun.”

The two live with Jon Duchesne, one of Middleton’s defence partners, who also just turned 18.

“We’re young back there. There’s no way in getting around that,” says Byrne. “We have three first-year OHL defencemen and three second-year OHL defencemen, and none of them are over 18 years old.”

The three roommates are looking forward to continuing to develop and mature as OHL players.

“It keeps things exciting,” says Middleton.

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BRADFORD THE REAL DEAL FOR 67’S TRADE TO OTTAWA PAYING HUGE DIVIDENDS FOR VETERAN CENTRE

BY SARAH JEAN MAHER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK HOLLERON

I

t’s not every day a hockey trade really is a win for both sides – especially when one of those players is a team’s leading scorer at the time of the deal.

But the 67’s move to acquire veteran centre Erik Bradford from the Barrie Colts at the trade deadline last month in exchange for fellow centre Joseph Blandisi appears to be exactly that.

In saying farewell to Blandisi, a 19-year-old draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche, Ottawa gave up a player who led the team with 21 goals and 37 points.

Blandisi, who hasn’t suited up for a postseason game since his rookie season in Owen Sound, went from a club battling for the final playoff spot in the East to a squad with high hopes for a Memorial Cup run.

Bradford, meanwhile, has fit right in with his new teammates. Inserted on to Ottawa’s top line with rookie-ofthe-year candidate Travis Konecny and overager Ryan Van Stralen, the 19-year-old Orangeville native immediately went on a

ERIK BRADFORD

CENTRE ICE MARCH 2014

tear, racking up eight goals and 19 points in his first 11 games in a 67’s uniform.

“We knew he was a good player,” says Ottawa coach and GM Chris Byrne.

“He’ll maybe get a bit of a different opportunity here. I think Joe’s been doing great in Barrie. It was a great hockey trade for both teams.”

Bradford says he’s happy to be in Ottawa, where his cousins Jamie and Brock McGinn both played for the 67’s before going on to NHL careers.

Bradford grew up admiring the McGinn brothers and dreamed of someday wearing the Barber Pole sweater.

“I always wanted to be like them,” he says. “Just watching them growing up, seeing them put on those jerseys and go on long bus rides. It was something I always envied.”

The 67’s also landed 17-year-old goaltender Liam Herbst from the London Knights. London’s first-round selection in the 2012 OHL draft, Herbst missed all of last season with knee and hip injuries.

Byrne says he likes what he sees from his young netminder so far.

“I think we have a good goalie in (Herbst),” he says. “He has lots to work on, and as a young goalie in the league he’s going to take time to develop, but we like what we see in practice, we like his attitude, his competitiveness, and we think he’ll be a goalie of the future.”

LIAM HERBST

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CATCHING UP

PETER MAHOVLICH VITAL STATS: Peter Mahovlich was born on Oct. 10, 1946 in Timmins and moved to Toronto with his family in the mid-1950s when his older brother Frank turned pro with the Maple Leafs. Peter played minor hockey in the Leaside area of Toronto and eventually made the St. Michael’s College Jr. B team. In 1963 at age 16, he was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the first-ever NHL amateur draft, going second overall. He played Jr. A for the Hamilton Red Wings of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1963 to 1965 before graduating to the NHL, where he played in three games for Detroit as a first-year pro. Between 1965 and 1969, he split time between Detroit, the Pittsburgh Hornets of the American Hockey League

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and the Fort Worth Red Wings of the Central Hockey League before being acquired by the Montreal Canadiens in 1969. In his ninth season with Montreal, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins and later was reacquired by Detroit. Peter and Frank were teammates on the Red Wings for 18 months in the 1960s and also on the Canadiens from February 1971 through the 1973-74 season.

CLAIMS TO FAME: Mahovlich won four Stanley Cups with Montreal (1971, 1973, 1976 and 1977) and for two seasons was a key part of the league’s top-scoring line with Guy Lafleur and Steve Shutt.

His most prolific season was 1974-75, when he was fifth in the league with 117 points, including

BY RANDY RAY PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER MAHOVLICH

82 assists. Both marks remain single-season club records for a centre. Mahovlich played in 884 regular-season NHL games, scoring 288 goals and adding 485 assists.

In 88 playoff games, he added another 30 goals and 42 assists. He was a member of the Canadian team that played the Soviet Red Army team in the historic 1972 Summit Series and in Game 2 beat Vladislav Tretiak for a shorthanded goal that helped Canada win the game and rebound from a tough 7-3 loss in Game 1. He also played on the 1976 Canada Cup team.

STYLE: The 6-foot-5, 215-pound leftshooting centre was known as an offensive-minded two-way player.

WHERE IS HE NOW? Mahovlich retired in 1985 while serving as a playing coach for the Toledo Goaldiggers of the International Hockey League, where he also served as general manager. After several other coaching stints in the IHL, Central Hockey League and the AHL, he spent 10 years scouting for the Atlanta Thrashers. Today, he is one of two pro scouts for the Florida Panthers, and he and his wife live in Glens Falls, N.Y. He has seven grandchildren and two step-grandchildren, and loves to play golf.

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PROUDEST MOMENT

STEPHANIE VOISEY AGE: 11 POSITION: Forward TEAM: Nepean Wildcats Peewee (Ice Ninjas) MY PROUDEST MOMENT: My proudest moment in hockey happened this season at the Kingston Tournament. Our team was leading the championship game by a goal when our opponents tied the score in the last minute of regulation. No one scored in overtime, so we went to a shootout. Although we did not win the game, we came home with a silver medal. I have never been so proud of winning a medal.

Not only was I proud of myself and how I played, but I was proud of my whole team as well. Another proud moment for me was scoring my very first goal in Novice. I might not be the strongest player or the one who scores the most goals, but when I come off the ice I always have a feeling of pride in how I played the game – I love to play hockey.

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