Oct 23rd vs Kingston Frontenacs: Game Day Playbook

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It’s that time of year again! I’m excited once again to welcome everyone back for another season of Generals Hockey.

Each year, my goal is to uphold the legacy this organization has built throughout its long history. As always, we want to add another OHL and Memorial Cup title to our already league best totals, for not only the organization, but for you the fans.

On behalf of our entire Generals family, I want to thank our sponsors, billets, new and returning season ticket holders, and each and every one of our loyal fans for their neverending support.

ROCCO TULLIO PRESIDENT

I want to take this opportunity to welcome all of you to the 2022-23 season of the Oshawa Generals and the Ontario Hockey League. This welcome back certainly goes to our legion of loyal supporters but also welcome back to the players, players families, billets and staff. It should also be noted that we cant wait to return to a normal schedule where we all get to see the stars of tomorrow from across the whole OHL.

Every season takes on its own theme and feel. Every season takes on a life of its own. This year’s season will be the most competitive we have had in a few years. One factor is that we will again be returning to a full OHL schedule and with the Eastern Conference shaping up to be the most competitive it has been in years, every point and game will be a must for top rated performances. The addition of new Head Coach, Derek Laxdal and his winning pedigree is exactly what the doctor ordered, and the timing couldn’t be better. Along with new Associate Coach, Steve O’Rourke and Mike Hedden returning for his second season, this staff could go up against any in the CHL. You will continue to see a long line of future Generals stars on the ice again this season and I cant thank the scouts enough for all the hard work they do. The returning players have positioned us to be fighting for hardware again soon and the new players will have to get on board quickly. That being said, we are on a collision course with a couple of other teams in the Eastern Conference. If we have any desire to get another Bobby Orr trophy and then battle for the J. Ross Robertson trophy, business will need to be taken care of each and every night. Nothing is given and everything will be earned.

Our past is certainly something that everyone in our region, city and organization are very proud of. During this season our entire focus right now is on the present. We want to have the best team possible to challenge for silverware again.

Lets get behind the team from the start and cheer them onto victory.

Go Gens Go!!!!!!

ROGER HUNT VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER

HOCKEY OPERATIONS

ROGER HUNT VICE PRESIDENT/GM MIKE KELLY

DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS

DEREK LAXDAL HEAD COACH & ASSISTANT GM STEVE O’ROURKE ASSOCIATE COACH MIKE HEDDEN ASSISTANT COACH

AUSTIN WASHKURAK VIDEO COACH

PAUL GIBSON GOALTENDING COACH DAN NOBLE

DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE

NICK QUINN SKILLS COACH (PEP) ANTHONY CORNACCHIA SKILLS COACH TRACY TUTTON SKATING COACH ASHLEA JONES POWER SKATING COACH

TRAINING AND MEDICAL STAFF

BRYAN BOYES

HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER & EQUIPMENT MANAGER SHAWN WINTERS HEAD ATHLETIC THERAPIST KEVIN HAYES

ASSISTANT EQUIPMENT MANAGER THOM RENNIE ASSISTANT EQUIPMENT MANAGER MIKE HUGHES

ASSISTANT EQUIPMENT MANAGER

ERIC VIENA

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

ANDREW LATIN ASSISTANT TRAINER

SCOUTING STAFF DAN CURRIE

DIRECTOR OF SCOUTING/PLAYER PERSONNEL JOE BELESKEY NORTHERN ONTARIO/ETA SCOUT MIKE CRAIG OTTAWA ONTARIO SCOUT/DIRECTOR OF U-18 MADDUX RYCHEL GTA SCOUT DANNY O’BRIEN U.S SCOUT

SEAN PATRICK RYAN ALLIANCE SCOUT

ANTHONY HERRINGTON SCTA/ALLIANCE SCOUT/HEAD OF ANALYTICS

JOE WASHKURAK ADVANCED SCOUT/HEAD OF OJHL SCOUTING TONY CIAMPA WESTERN ONTARIO SCOUT KEVIN BLOCH MID-WESTERN SCOUT/PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

ADDITIONAL STAFF

KEITH LINDLEY POLICE LIASON OFFICER ED DOWNEY POLICE LIASON OFFICER

GARY MINACS TEAM TRAVEL COORDINATOR JACK HANNAH TEAM CHAPLAIN RYAN JOHNSTON

MAXWELL HEIGHTS

TOM BUCHANAN ACADEMIC ADVISOR

SECONDARY SCHOOL GUIDANCE TEAM

CLUB PHYSICIANS DR. MARTIN TEAM ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON DR. PRESVELOS TEAM PHYSICIAN DR. ZAKAROW TEAM DENTIST DR. COULBY TEAM DOCTOR DR. ARMSTRONG TEAM CHIROPRACTOR

OFFICE OPERATIONS

ROCCO TULLIO PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR JOHN MCMAHON ALTERNATE GOVERNOR ANDY LEE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER JASON HICKMAN

DIRECTOR, TICKET SALES & SERVICES ANDREW RICHARD ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE MATT BEACHIN

DIRECTOR, CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP BRIAN PARK MANAGER, SPONSORSHIP SALES BRANDON WRIGHT

MANAGER, SOCIAL MEDIA, GAME DAY, MEDIA RELATIONS ALEXANDRIA COTTERILL MULTIMEDIA DESIGN COORDINATOR CHRISTIAN GONTIER MANAGERS OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS & MERCHANDISING

OFF-ICE OFFICIALS

NEIL LUXTON

CHIEF & ONLINE SCORER

GARY MINACS OFFICIAL SCORER

MIKE CHAMPION ALTERNATE SCORER BILL FERGUSON TIMEKEEPER WAYNE WHITE PENALTY TIMEKEEPER

TINK ONLINE SCORER DEREK LAMONT ONLINE SCORER

SKAM

REPLAY SUPPORT

WADE ALTERNATE TIMEKEEPER

GAME DAY STAFF

JOHNSTON ANNOUNCER NICOLE GRELLA IN-ARENA HOST IAN GOODALL TEAM PHOTOGRAPHER CATHY COXHEAD NHL MEDIA ROOM HOST COLLEEN CORNER NHL MEDIA ROOM HOST JAMIE CARWELL VIDEOBOARD DIRECTOR NOEL PITNEY REPLAY TECHNICIAN PAUL CARTMILL GRAPHIC TECHNICIAN EJ ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC COORDINATOR TRISH KIDD IN-HOUSE CAMERA DALLAS EGGLETON IN-HOUSE CAMERA

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY

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Laura Carey Whitby

Tammy Segriff Oshawa

Carolyn Maugeri Ajax

Lisa Pearson Oshawa

THE GAME DAY GAZETTE

A Sunday night classic at the Tribute Communities Centre sets the stage between the Oshawa Generals and visiting Kingston Frontenacs. The Gens will close out their weekend after returning home with a 4-3 victory over the Guelph Storm in Guelph – where Luke Torrance, Stuart Rolofs, Brett Harrison and Beckett Sennecke all scored for the Gens.

Tonight, the Generals will hope to string two wins together for the first time since opening the season 3-0-0-1 but will have to take down the 5-2-0-1 Frontenacs to do so. The Frontenacs come into Oshawa after splitting a home-and-home series with the high-flying Peterborough Petes, with each team winning on home ice. Can Oshawa match the record of their opponents or will the Frontenacs continue shocking the pundits around the eastern conference? Puck drop is scheduled for 6:05.

Last Meeting:

The last time these two teams met the Generals sent the Frontenacs back to Kingston with a loss, defeating them 4-2. Fans will remember it was Luke Torrance’s first goal of the season, finishing off a nice smooth deke to put the Gens up 1-0 with a shorthanded goal. Captain Lleyton Moore had three assists in the game, backed by a goal from Cameron Butler, Dylan Roobroeck and Calum Ritchie.

The Frontenacs one positive in their last visit to Oshawa was in Gabriel Frasca and his first career OHL goal.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LLEYTON MOORE IVAN ZHIGALOV

The Oshawa Generals captain has been consistent so far in eight games this season, scoring eight assists. A leader both on and off the ice, Moore continues to be the QB for the Generals power play, one that finally connected in their game against Guelph on Friday. Originally awarded his first goal of the season on Friday, official scorers eventually gave the goal to teammate Luke Torrance. Can the captain find the back of the net or continue his point per game pace?

BECKETT SENNECKE

The 16-year-old rookie continues to make the Oshawa Generals scouting office extremely happy. Just eight games into his young career the forward already has four goals and five assists, good enough for the team lead in points. Sennecke scored the game winner against the Storm on Friday and will be looked upon once again to keep adding a powerful shot to the Generals offense.

The import goaltender was our player to watch the last time Kingston was here, but with his continuous stellar play, it’s hard not to look at him as a key part of this Frontenacs roster. Leading the league among qualified goalies with a .938 save percentage and third in the league with a tiny 2.13 goals against, it won’t be easy for the Gens to find the back of the net. Zhigalov stopped 34 of 35 shots against the strong Peterborough offense and will likely be relied upon heavily again in Oshawa.

SUNDAY. OCT 23RD. 2022

ROSTERS

VS

GENERALS (4-3-0-1)

KINGSTON FRONTENACS (5-2-0-1)

LAST GAME RECAP

The Oshawa Generals were able to get back into the win column and snap a three game losing streak with a 4-3 win in Guelph.

The first period almost went as perfect as it could for the Generals, with a strong forecheck. The Storm struggled each and every possession to get out of their own zone, meaning Oshawa was able to put on a lot of offensive pressure. It was the Storm goalie Dixon Grimes, making his first OHL start, keeping his team in the game early. Despite the early pressure from the Gens, it was actually Guelph who would get on the board first thanks to one of the few Storm players consistently finding the back of the net, Danny Zhilkin. Just four minutes later, the mistakes finally bit the Storm when captain Lleyton Moore threw the puck on net from a tight angle, where it was tipped home by Luke Torrance for his third goal of the season.

The second period started the same for Oshawa, with a lot of o-zone pressure. This time, it took them just over a minute before being rewarded. Stuart Rolofs with his fourth of the season gave Oshawa the 2-1 lead. Midway through the middle frame, fresh off his two-game suspension, Sasha Pastujov tied the game with a rocket on the powerplay. What looked like a 2-2 game headed for a decisive third period, the Boston Bruins prospect Brett Harrison had a different idea, potting a pretty tic-tac-toe play on a man advantage of their own.

Starting the period up 3-2, it felt like a game where the neutral zones would tighten up and no more goals would be scored. By this time, the shots were only a measly 14-11 in favour of Guelph. 12 seconds into the third period, a bouncing puck in front of Patrick Leaver landed on the stick of recently named Storm captain Cooper Walker and the game was tied. The Generals were able to shrug the early goal off and retake the lead midway through the frame thanks to a dribbler making it through the five-hole of Grimes. Rookie Beckett Senneke made a nifty play around the Storm defender and hit a powerful shot towards the Storm net. Grimes got about 99 per cent of the puck, but one per cent too little and it squeaked over the line.

Patrick Leaver stood tall in the closing minutes of the game, stopping 19 of 22 shots overall for his fourth win of the year.

The Gens would take home both 1st star in Luke Torrance and 3rd star in Beckett Sennecke after their two point efforts. The win moved the Gens to 4-3-0-1 on the season and snapped the three game losing streak that included losses to CHL ranked and undefeated Ottawa 67’s and seven game consecutive winners, Mississauga Steelheads.

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BEHIND THE “MIKE”

Lucky’s Broadcast Journey

Every Canadian hockey fan remembers their first time in front of the T.V. while Hockey Night in Canada introduces the Toronto Maples Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens game. Some sat on the couch dreaming of lacing up their own skates to one day be featured on the broadcast.

For others, it was dreaming of hearing yourself on the broadcast.

This was the case for Oshawa’s own play-by-play man AND 94.9 the Rock radio host Mike “Lucky” Luck. Growing up, like many Canadians he played the sport, but knew that where he wanted to be was in the booth.

Luck caught on at an early age, while there were obvious differences between a player and broadcaster, they have more in common than people realize.

“I’ve always loved sports, and hockey was on of the first for me,” said Luck. “I was a goalie growing up, but never at a high level. It’s kind of when I realized that like playing the game, there’s a lot of preparation that goes into broadcasting.

Players don’t just step onto the ice on game day and perform, and neither do we. That’s what I love.”

It’s through this preparation and commitment that Luck says keeps him connected to the game from his very first call in the booth to today.

“For me, the feeling of putting on a suit and coming to the rink on gameday is the closest thing I get to playing at the highest level,” he said. “Of course there are nerves, jitters and anticipation, but I never get tired of getting pumped for gameday and walking across the catwalk to the booth. It’s a thrill.”

Luck’s journey started at Queen’s University, where he found himself living with a few members of the Queen’s Gaels Men’s Hockey Team. Being around the rink as much as he did was his foot into the door of working in the sport.

“It eventually led me to exploring a career in broadcasting,” said Luck. “I took a college radio program, ended up with a job in my hometown of Oshawa and the rest as they say, is history.”

And history has he made. Before the beginning of the 2022-2023 season, Luck has called more than 500 hockey games across his career with the Oshawa Generals. Luck says despite the countless memories throughout his career, there are two major sticking points – his first career game and the championship season.

“You always remember your first, and I remember my first was at the old Civic Auditorium,” he said. “I didn’t know anything about live sports prep, I really just though I had to show up and talk hockey between whistles, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. Above all, I of course have to go back to the playoff run in 201. The momentum of that year was amazing.”

His experience at the Ontario Hockey League level earned him the reputation as one of the best across league. Broadcast colleague Adam Dunfee says Luck has that unique touch that separates him from the rest.

“He can just read the moment so well,” Dunfee said. “He knows when to dial it up and knows when to let

the game breathe, partner this with his second to none voice and no one can touch him.”

Dunfee joins Luck on Rogers TV for Oshawa Generals home game broadcasts and works alongside him for game prep, but also during intermission interviews from ice level.

Much like the players Luck and Dunfee spend so many hours studying and calling, the goal is to make it to the next level – and for Luck, that next level was the National Hockey League.

On Saturday, February 12th, Luck made his NHL debut calling an NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins.

“Making the NHL for me has always been more of a dream than a goal,” said Luck. “Opportunities are so rare to get to ‘The Show’ that it can be really touch to reach that benchmark. When the call did come, it was more than surreal.

Just hearing the words ‘Hockey Night in Canada’ brought chills,” he said. “My boys Evan and Christian

went NUTS when they found out. At the end of the day, having Hockey Night in Canada is such an institution in this country and having my name associated with it is an extreme honour.”

It isn’t just Luck who took career leaps in the 20212022 season either. Someone had to fill in for Luck when he was up in the NHL, and this gave Dunfee a chance to enter the booth on a more regular basis.

“I always enjoy the opportunity to fill in in the booth when Mike or Shane are away,” said Dunfee. “There’s

“When I think back to that call from Hockey Night in Canada, I really had to take a second and reflect,” Luck said. “Like I said, it was never necessarily my goal to call an NHL game, but after almost 15 years with the Gens, countless nights at the rink, training camps, exhibition games, bus rides, late nights and the sacrifices from my family to allow me to do it, hearing the Hockey Night in Canada theme song and a shoutout from Ron MacLean was icing on the cake.”

At the end of it all, Luck knows that he has been

SMITH

DAVID BEDKOWSKI

BECKETT’S BEGINNING

Each and every year, 20 Ontario Hockey League teams gather once a year to take a stab at adding a generational talent to their rosters. Whether you select first overall or you’re the last pick on the board, OHL General Managers and scouts look at each pick like an opportunity to make their team better.

Beckett Sennecke was that choice for Roger Hunt and his scouts.

Sennecke was selected eighth overall at the 2022 OHL Priority Selection on April 29th and since then has looked at Oshawa as his new home.

“Joining the Generals meant the world to me,” said Sennecke. “This organization has such a great fan base and rich team history. I feel like I can contribute to further its success in the future.”

The 6’0, 161-pound winger is no stranger to on-ice success either. During his 2021-2022 season with the Toronto Marlboros, Sennecke played 45 games, scored 35 goals, and added 45 assists for 80 points. His totals were good for 1.7 points per game.

The Toronto, Ont., native continued his hot scoring touch into the 2022 OHL Cup, scoring five goals in five games, and adding three helpers for eight points. His Toronto Malboros would finish round robin play atop the Subban Division and then find themselves advancing all the way to the quarterfinals. Sennecke would score their only goal in that game, losing 2-1 to the Quinte Red Devils.

Even though his numbers speak for themselves, it didn’t take away from any of his draft day nerves.

“[Being taken in the first round] it’s such a weight off your shoulders,” said Sennecke. “You finish your last game with your midget club and all you do is think about the draft every day and to hear your name finally called is such a big relief”

Right away, Sennecke was visiting the Tribute Communities Centre, meeting with coaches, staff and his new GensNation community.

He continued to prove the right decision was made to draft him when he was invited to participate in Team Canadas Development Camp for the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, alongside some of his new teammates.

With a more normal OHL schedule underway this year, fans have been able to see Sennecke in action on multiple occasions throughout the 2022 exhibition schedule and he has not disappointed.

In six pre-season games, Sennecke led the entire team with six points by way of one goal and five assists. To make matters even better, he finished third in all-OHL rookie scoring throughout the exhibition schedule.

While the fans are excited to welcome Sennecke, he is as equally excited to continue playing in front of them.

“Our fans are such a dedicated group,” said Sennecke. “They’re just so dedicated and passionate about the team and playing in front of them every night really is going to be a treat.”

A “DANDY” AT 14TH OVERALL

In the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, it’s no longer an oddity when one team is making multiple selections in the first round of their Priority Selection. In the Ontario Hockey League, first round picks are not allowed to be included in trades – something you see a lot in the QMJHL.

Typically, this means in the OHL we’ll see 20 teams each make one selection in the first round. Typically.

For the Oshawa Generals, this wasn’t the case for the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. Due to a compensatory selection awarded to the franchise, the Generals were primed to make two picks in the opening round.

Enter Ben Danford.

The Madoc, Ont., native was selected 14th overall for the Generals, six picks after his now teammate Beckett Sennecke. Danford says being drafted by the Oshawa Generals was a best-case scenario.

“It has all been really exciting,” said Danford. “Being an Oshawa General already means so much to me because it is a hockey club very rich in tradition and history.”

“I am so thankful and proud to be a part of it.”

Before officially joining the Generals, Danford spent his 2021-2022 season with the Quinte Red Devils, appearing in 26 games. In those games, Danford scored seven goals and added 22 assists for 29 points from the blue line.

The only Quinte Red Devil to be selected in the opening round is said to be one of the best skating defenceman among his age group. His elusiveness

and edgework are exceptional, his mobility and lateral movement make the game seem so easy for him.

The 6’0 tall defenceman has already turned the heads of some of hockeys top decision makers, earning an invite to Team Canadas Development Camp for the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey alongside 8th overall pick Beckett Sennecke and 2nd round selection David Bedkowski.

Danford is seen by many as a dependable offensive defenceman, taking enough of a risk to create scoring chances, but not jeopardizing his own zone to make the play. He joins a young back-end with the Oshawa Generals but is sure to create stability and dependability.

After he was drafted, Danford knew right then and there is when the hard work, and the fun, would start.

“I plan to work hard, get stronger and develop all aspects of my game throughout the entire season, as much as I can, in order to perform to my very best,” said Danford. “Now that I am an Oshawa General, my message to all of GensNation is that I am committed to this team, to this community and I can’t wait to get my rookie season officially underway.”

Danford knows he can have a good first year with the team, because of the people he is surrounded by. He credits the organization for always putting the best interest of its players at the forefront. He says this is what every player dreams of.

“I really couldn’t ask for a more supportive organization,” said Danford.

THE OSHAWA GENERALS HOCKEY CLUB, PRESENTED BY OSHAWA POWER AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

Arnts, Blue Bird Storage, Canadian Tire, Coca-Cola, Desjardins, Dodd and Soutor, Giant Creative, Oshawa Power, Pizza Pizza, Planet Fitness, Professional Dry Cleaners, Rodman’s Heating & Air Conditioning and Staffing Connections have teamed up for the Adopt-A-School program!

This program gives local businesses the chance to give back to the community by purchasing Generals season tickets and donating them to elementary schools throughout Durham Region. The tickets are intended to reward students that excel in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

BEACHIN

mbeachin@oshawagenerals.com

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