By Pat Payton
New team captain Ethan Lamoureux says he will try and lead the St. Marys Lincolns with his play on the ice.
“I want to lead by example, and give the boys confidence to play their own game and also win,” the third-year forward told the Independent recently. “I am truly honoured to be named captain, but I also feel we have a lot of leaders on this team who can lead by example. Players who don’t have a letter (on their jerseys) can do the same thing.
“I think this team has a lot of potential this year,” the 20-year-old Ilderton resident added.
Assistant captains are Jacob Chantler, Nathan Small, Michael Elliston and Eric Smith.
–Speaking of Smith, Lincs’ head coach Jeff Bradley heaped lots of praise last week on the 19-year-old sophomore forward from Lucan.
“We look at Eric as the future of this leadership group,” Bradley said. “We think it’s a passing of the torch. Eric is one of the heart-beats of the team, and he plays with his heart on his sleeve.
“He’s a player who protects his teammates and he’s got some scoring touch to add with it. He’s got a lot of grit, he’s a really good penalty-killer, and also responsible defensively.”
–London Nationals have a strong nucleus of nine or 10 veterans back from last season. Head coach David Matsos is also starting his second year behind the Nats’ bench.
–Strathroy Rockets are a young, fast-skating, and good puck-moving team, and they’re well-coached by former NHLer Jason Williams.
Before Lincolns’ home opener on Sept. 9, Williams talked about the 2022-23 Rockets squad, which has only three 20-year-olds at the moment.
“We’ve got a pretty good young group,” the coach said. “We want to build the right culture with this organization, and we think we’ve brought in the right kids. A lot of them will have the potential to move on.”
Williams says his team is stocked with a lot of 17-year-old skaters. “I’m excited to see what our 16-year-olds can do as well. I think we’ll be a team that is quick and one that works hard . . . each and every shift. Those are the intangibles we talk about, day in and day out. I’m really excited about what this group can bring this year.”
–Goalie Carter McDougall, of St. Marys, is back for his second season with the Listowel Cyclones of the Midwestern Conference.
The 18-year-old McDougall started this season by making 18 saves in a 7-2 road victory over the Caledon Bombers on Sept. 9. He won eight games with the Cyclones a year ago, while posting a 3.52 goals-against average and one shutout.
–LaSalle Vipers recently traded Tanner Winegard to the Sarnia Legionnaires. The 6 ft., 5 inch defenceman and Bright’s Grove native is the son of former Lincoln and St. Marys native Owen Lessard (1986-87).
The 17-year-old Winegard, a Windsor Spitfires OHL draft pick, had seven goals and 24 points in 45 games with LaSalle last season.
