FUTURE IS BRIGHT

It may have been easy this season to look at the standings and be disappointed as a fan. Look to one side, and Ottawa was running away from the rest of the conference. Look to the other and London is doing what London does best – win. In Oshawa, a season full of ups and downs may have clouded what is actually something to look forward to. The future in Oshawa is centered around the likes of Calum Ritchie, Beckett Sennecke, Ben Danford, and David Bedkowski. If those names are any indication, the future is bright.

The Generals dressed one of the youngest rosters in the entire OHL throughout the season, but didn’t sacrifice production because of it.

Calum Ritchie

2nd overall pick, from just a season ago, Calum Ritchie had a season solidifying his first round NHL draft potential. In his second OHL season, Ritchie was trusted by his teammates and coaching staff to lead the team this season, both on and off the ice. Ritchie was given an ‘A’ at the start of the season, and was expected to continue finding his voice in the room.

On the ice, Ritchie improved on his already great rookie numbers from a year ago. At the time of publication, he’s appeared in 58 games this season scoring 24 goals and 34 assists for 58 points – new career highs in all three categories. Amongst the team leaders in points, Ritchie is expected to go early in the 2023 NHL Draft and continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the OHL.

Beckett Sennecke

The first of Oshawa’s two first-round picks from the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Beckett Sennecke lived up to the hype this season. Taken 8th overall last year, Sennecke joined the Generals as a gifted offensive addition to the roster. In his first season in the OHL, Sennecke has proven on more than one occasion that he can deke through an entire roster by himself, before driving to the net for a red-light special.

Flashes of this greatness have almost become expected by the GensNation faithful. By the numbers, Sennecke has been the best 16-year-old in the OHL this season, leading everyone his age in points with 48 points. The only rookie ahead of him is 15-year-old exceptional status forward Michael Misa, with 50 points. Sennecke has showcased both his playmaking and goal scoring abilities, torching opponents with 16 goals and 32 assists – a reminder again that he’s just 16 years old.

With sights set on the years ahead, it’s clear that Oshawa’s success will follow the success of Sennecke, wherever he will take them.

Ben Danford

Just six picks later, the Generals struck gold once again with defenceman Ben Danford, from the Quinte Red Devils. The Madoc, Ont., native spent the first half of his season, learning and adapting to the play style of then captain, Lleyton Moore. Following the trade that saw Moore land in Kitchener, many fans were worried the blueline would fall apart without their power play quarter back in Moore. The transition was seamless. Danford took the extra ice time and responsibility in stride, and alongside new teammate Luca D’Amato, the two continued to lead the Generals’ power play to be the league’s best.

In 55 games with the Generals, Danford has scored two goals and added 17 assists for 19 points. What’s more impressive is his plus/minus rating of positive five, as a 16-year-old on a struggling team. Fans have little to worry about on the blueline for as long as Danford continues to patrol the d-zone.