Oct 28th vs Hamilton Bulldogs: Game Day Playbook

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

ROGER HUNT

MIKE KELLY DIRECTOR OF

DEREK LAXDAL

COACH

ASSISTANT GM STEVE O’ROURKE

COACH MIKE HEDDEN ASSISTANT COACH

AUSTIN WASHKURAK VIDEO COACH PAUL GIBSON

COACH DAN NOBLE DIRECTOR OF

NICK QUINN SKILLS COACH (PEP)

ANTHONY CORNACCHIA

COACH TRACY TUTTON SKATING COACH ASHLEA JONES

COACH

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

SCOUT DANNY O’BRIEN U.S SCOUT

SEAN PATRICK RYAN

ANTHONY HERRINGTON SCTA/ALLIANCE SCOUT/HEAD

JOE WASHKURAK

SCOUT/HEAD OF

TONY CIAMPA WESTERN ONTARIO

KEVIN BLOCH MID-WESTERN

ADDITIONAL STAFF

KEITH LINDLEY

DOWNEY

BOYES

HANNAH

KEVIN HAYES

MIKE HUGHES

PHYSICIANS

OPERATIONS

GAME DAY STAFF

OFFICIALS

NICOLE

JAMIE CARWELL

PITNEY

CARTMILL

TRISH

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Desjardins Financial

Assurance

Tom Morgan Courtice

Nina Romano Oshawa

Gayle Andrews Whitby

Penny Masters Oshawa

Jon Humphrey Whitby

Tammy Lee Hanlon Oshawa & Peterborough

Stephanie Gordon Whitby

Greg Lewis Newcastle & Courtice

Dean Yorke Oshawa

Mike Trevett Bowmanville

Karen Low Oshawa

Laura Carey Whitby

Tammy Segriff Oshawa

Carolyn Maugeri Ajax

Lisa Pearson Oshawa

THE GAME DAY GAZETTE

It’s Halloween weekend which means the Tribute Communities Centre will be extra spooky when it hosts the Friday night clash of the Hamilton Bulldogs and your Oshawa Generals. Friday marks the start of Oshawa’s first 3-in-3 weekend, heading to Michigan for games against the Flint Firebirds and Saginaw Spirit on Saturday and Sunday. Hoping to start on the right foot, the Gens will need to find the back of the net for the first time since October 21st.

Tonight, the Generals will be looking to bounce back on home ice after dropping their last outing 2-0 to the surprising Kingston Frontenacs. Despite 29 shots on goal, Oshawa could not beat rookie netminder Mason Vaccari. Oshawa will be seeing a different Hamilton team tonight, who recently traded their starting goaltender Marco Costantini to the Kitchener Rangers and impact OA forward George Diaco to the London Knights. Sitting at just 3-5-0-0 and coming into Oshawa on a four game losing streak, now is the time for Oshawa to take advantage and secure another win.

Last Meeting:

The last time these two teams met, it was the Bulldogs coming out on top 5-3 after a pair of goals from Avery Hayes and Patrick Thomas halted the Generals comeback attempts. Despite the loss in Hamilton, 16-year-old Beckett Sennecke found the scoresheet with at the time was the tying goal in the game. The Bulldogs were led by the aforementioned Avery Hayes who scored a hat-trick in the win.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

BLAKE SMITH

Recently named a ‘C’ rated prospect from NHL Central Scouting, Smith has quietly been impressing everyone with his physical and reliable game style. The Generals will continually look to Smith’s disciplined physical play to rub opposing forwards the wrong way in his own zone.

STUART ROLOFS

With much of the attention on the return of Brett Harrison, Calum Ritchie in his draft year, or the impressive play from rookie Beckett Sennecke, Rolofs has seemingly flown under the radar for Oshawa. Tied for the team lead in goals, assists, and points, much of Oshawa’s recent offense has come from the Carp, Ont., native, and the hope is the depth production will continue alongside those who get more of the spotlight.

AVERY HAYES

It’s hard to ignore the leading scorer and reigning OHL Champion Hayes any time he comes to town. Torching the Generals for three goals in his last game against them and currently leading the Bulldogs with seven markers in eight games, it’s obvious he will be a threat. A team much younger than in previos seasons, the Bulldogs will have to rely on veterans like Hayes to find production on the goal sheet.

LAST GAME RECAP

It was a night for the dogs last game for the Oshawa Generals, dropping their Pet Night game to the Kingston Frontenacs by a score of 2-0.

The Generals came out flying in the first period, pinning Kingston into their zone for what felt like the entire 20 minute frame. With total control of the offensive zone pressure, the Generals outshot the Frontenacs 12-9 in the opening period but what turned out to be the story of the night, they couldn’t solve Mason Vaccari. The Kingston rookie netminder was making only his third OHL appearance. In the dying minutes of the first period, it was Kingston who found the scoreboard first thanks to Adam Cavallin’s third of the season.

The second period saw the momentum shift towards the visitors, but the score remained the same. Patrick Leaver stood tall in his own net to keep the game at just a 1-0 score, but Generals forwards struggled to put their passes together to create any offense. The chances they were able to put together, Vaccari continued to shut them down.

It was the third period when Oshawa really turned the pressure back up and began to capitalize on Kingston’s mission to sit back and run out the clock. Once again playing much of the period in Kingston’s zone, Vaccari started making highlight save after highlight save to keep his Frontenacs up 1-0. A misplay at the Kingston blueline resulted in a 2-on-1 for the Frontenacs, finished by Francesco Arcuri. Down 2-0 the Generals continued to throw everything at the Kingston net but couldn’t break through.

Stopping all 29 shots he faced, Mason Vaccari took home the victory and his first career OHL shutout, sending the more than 4300 Generals fans home disappointed. Patrick Leaver would be awarded third star for his 25 save effort.

Photo by: Ian Goodal

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

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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.

MATT BEACHIN

Call 905-433-0900 Ext. 2233 or Email mbeachin@oshawagenerals.com