Defenceman Barkley still at Mississauga Steelheads’ OHL camp
By Pat Payton
Former St. Marys Lincolns’ captain and centreman Mike Siddall is a new assistant coach with the team.
The St. Marys native spent two full seasons (2012-14) with the Lincs, then played two years in the OJHL and four more at the University of Waterloo.
Siddall, 26, was on the bench for both pre-season games against Cambridge this past weekend.
“Mike is a former player who wants to come back and help out,” coach Trent McClement told the Independent. “It just shows what we’re building here. Siddall was a leader who went on to play high-end hockey, and it will be nice for the boys to learn from him.”
–Director of Hockey Operations/GM Greg Smale reports that defenceman Adam Barkley is the lone Lincoln still at an Ontario Hockey League training camp. He’s trying out with the Mississauga Steelheads.
Smale obtained the big blue-liner this summer in a straight cash deal. Last season, Barkley was a member of the Kemptville 73’s of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). The 18-year-old, who shoots right and is 6 ft. and 200 lbs., hails from Inkerman in eastern Ontario.
Barkley was drafted in the U18 Priority selection draft by the Steelheads.
–Former Lincs’ forward Mason Mantzavrakos, 19, has signed with the Nassjo hockey team in Sweden’s Second Division.
The Londoner led Lincolns in scoring in the 2019-20 season with 21 goals and 52 points in 45 games. The quick-skating winger attempted to catch on with several Tier 2 Jr. ‘A’ teams before signing in Sweden.
–Goaltender Carter McDougall has signed with Listowel Cyclones of the Midwestern Conference. The 17-year-old St. Marys native has been playing in the Huron-Perth Lakers ‘AAA’ system for several years.
Cyclones are icing a young squad this season, and they also added three new assistant coaches who are all in their 20s.
–Komoka Kings recently announced that they have promoted assistant coach Adam Casey to head coach. He replaces another former Lincoln, Colin Martin, who took the same job with rival London Nationals.
Casey has 25-plus years of coaching in the Junior ranks. The Londoner says he’s “really excited” with his new opportunity.
Casey spent time with the Lincolns several years ago under head coach Merlin Malinowski. He later joined the Nationals as an assistant and was then elevated to head coach.
–Leamington Flyers have also named a new head coach. He’s Dale Mitchell, 32, who was a member of two Memorial Cup championship teams (2009 and 2010) as a player with Windsor Spitfires. He resides in nearby Kingsville.
Flyers will be the visitors for Lincs’ home opener on Friday, Sept. 24.
–In LaSalle, John Nelson remains as general manager, but the Vipers recently announced that former player Matt Beaudoin, 29, is their new head coach.
Nelson held the dual post since 2017. Beaudoin, meanwhile, played four seasons for the Vipers (2008-12) and helped win a Sutherland Cup title in 2010. He went on to play three seasons for the University of Windsor Lancers, winning a Queen’s Cup title in 2013.
