Pictured is Mikey Pope, the St. Marys Lincolns’ newest acquisition after being dealt to the Lincs from the Stoney Creek Generals. Pope, who turns 17 in December, scored 25 goals and 44 points in 47 games last year as a 16-year-old rookie with the Caledon Bombers. Photo by Spencer Seymour
By Spencer Seymour
With their forward group losing a significant amount of scoring prowess, the St. Marys Lincolns took a step towards replenishing their offensive attack with the acquisition of Mikey Pope from the Stoney Creek Generals of the Greater Ontario Hockey League’s (GOHL) Eastern Conference.
The Generals’ organization relocated following this past season, with the team formerly being the Caledon Bombers.
Lincolns’ general manager Pat Powers told the Independent Pope, a Waterloo product who turns 17 years old in December, offers a much-needed scoring threat to the Lincolns’ lineup.
“He’s just a proven goal scorer in our league,” said Powers. “He’s a guy who brings tenacity, energy and a scoring touch. It’s definitely going to be nice to have a younger guy who can create some offence instead of constantly relying on 20-year-olds. I think he’s going to bring a lot of energy to our offence, which is something that we haven’t really had since we lost (Luca) Spagnolo and (Jaden) Lee.”
Last year, Pope scored 25 goals and 44 points in 47 games with the Bombers. Powers added the offence Pope will provide is especially needed after the aging out of key offensive weapons Chase MacQueen-Spence, Lincoln Moore and Owen Voortman.
“We lost a lot of offence, obviously, with (Owen) Voortman, (Lincoln) Moore and (Chase) MacQueen-Spence,” said Powers. “To get a proven scorer in our league was important. Mikey (Pope) obviously proved himself last year in this league and has confidence in his ability to score in this league, so I think that should definitely bring another element to our offence up front.”
With the Lincolns playing a system that demands defensive responsibility, a high-octane scorer like Pope could, in theory, have some struggles. However, Powers stated he has confidence Pope has the skills necessary to fit the Lincolns’ gameplan.
“He’s a smart player,” Powers said. “I don’t think he was necessarily asked to play a lot of defence last year, so there might be a little bit of a learning curve for him. But he’s a high-IQ player. He plays with pace and I think when you have those two things, you allow yourself to be able to play a 200-foot game. He can get on the forecheck, he can compete on the backcheck, he’s very gritty, so I don’t see there being any issues with him fitting in.”
