Barrie Colts 2023-24 Off-Season Thread (Part One)

[OHLColtsPuck]

I agree, it is disappointing about the Colts not selecting anyone from the u16aaa team. A consolation is taking Emerton with #50.

I still think Hawrey will be the best of the Barrie AAA kids when all is said and done but expect each of the top 3 to make a decent impact at the next level. Amazing to see just how good a lot of the Barrie and area 2008 group have developed, wishing them all success in their future.

 

[Jimmy582]

I agree, it is disappointing about the Colts not selecting anyone from the u16aaa team. A consolation is taking Emerton with #50.

I still think Hawrey will be the best of the Barrie AAA kids when all is said and done but expect each of the top 3 to make a decent impact at the next level. Amazing to see just how good a lot of the Barrie and area 2008 group have developed, wishing them all success in their future.

I watched the Barrie u16 team play 15-20 times and McLean is definitely the best hockey player outta the big guys. Would have liked to see Barrie take Elliot #19 on the colts this draft he went 7th round to the Soo and I think that’ll be a steal down the road. Getting Emerton at 50 could be a huge steal also.

 

[OHLColtsPuck]

I watched the Barrie u16 team play 15-20 times and McLean is definitely the best hockey player outta the big guys. Would have liked to see Barrie take Elliot #19 on the colts this draft he went 7th round to the Soo and I think that’ll be a steal down the road. Getting Emerton at 50 could be a huge steal also.

Fair enough, I only watched two games vs. YSE. I thought Hawrey had better overall compete & tenacity with similar skill.

 

[OHLColtsPuck]

Congratulations to our two Colt NHL Draftees Cole Beaudoin (#24 UTA) & Riley Patterson (#125, Van).

 

[AR155]

Congratulations to the draftees ! Just curious on this year's squad, alot of D returning. Has anyone seen Teague Vader play? This kid is unreal mobile great puck mover, tall and plays with some feistyness I don't believe he has signed? Who's everyone else got as Colts D for 24/25 ?

 

[dirty12]

Aitcheson - Akey
LD: Brauti, Tiller, Handsor, Blair
RD: Passmore, Gaudet-Barton, Emerton if willing to sign

 

[HockeyPops]

Emil Hemming selected

 

[OHLColtsPuck]

It sure would be something if the Colts were to bring over both Hemming and Nygaard

 

[HockeyPops]

Patrik Kerkola also selected.

 

[frontsfan67]

It sure would be something if the Colts were to bring over both Hemming and Nygaard

World be top contenders in the east if that happened

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Suomalainen NHL-lupaus poimittiin yllättäen Kanadaan – ura jatkuu SM-liigassa tai Texasissa

TPS-hyökkääjä Emil Hemming poimittiin Kanadan junioriliigojen CHL:n varaustilaisuudessa Barrie Coltsiin. Hemmingin ura jatkuu kuin TPS:ssä tai NHL-seura Dallas Starsin organisaatiossa.

www.mtvuutiset.fi

Hemming is not coming to Colts
Options are TPS or Dallas.

Patrik Kerkola also selected.

Kerkola is top ranked Finnish goalie 2025 NHL draft.
He's not getting SM liiga minutes in Kalpa this coming season so he probably is coming to Colts.

 

[Jimmy582]

Sounds like Kerkola the goalie is 99% gonna be at camp and on the team this year. Hemming is a maybe. The colts think they can get him to come over to North America to play top line minutes and get tons of time instead of playing men’s hockey and not playing as much. Claude Lemieux is his agent and his son Brendan was on the colts for 4 seasons so the connection is definitely there and it seems Claude wants him to get North American hockey experience.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Sounds like Kerkola the goalie is 99% gonna be at camp and on the team this year. Hemming is a maybe. The colts think they can get him to come over to North America to play top line minutes and get tons of time instead of playing men’s hockey and not playing as much. Claude Lemieux is his agent and his son Brendan was on the colts for 4 seasons so the connection is definitely there and it seems Claude wants him to get North American hockey experience.

Emil Hemming's agent is Ville Koistinen not Claude Lemieux.
It was Koistinen who said in Finnish media Hemming is not reporting to OHL.

Koistinen is former Finnish NHL player
who played in NHL representing Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers during his player career.

 

[cruickshankd]

Do you think Barrie will swing big in the trade market this year??? Is this a "go for it" year?

 

[Jimmy582]

I think it’ll depend who shows up in terms of imports whether they really go for it or not I think next year when Beaudoin Aitcheson and Patterson are 19 is when they will be all in but next years team sure be pretty strong aswell. Hemming has a connection with Claude Lemieux in some capacity u just have to look it up. Colts are also trying to get Mustard a 2nd pick to Chicago to report both not very likely but could happen and in that case it would be 100% a go go year.

Emil Hemming's agent is Ville Koistinen not Claude Lemieux.
It was Koistinen who said in Finnish media Hemming is not reporting to OHL.

Koistinen is former Finnish NHL player
who played in NHL representing Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers during his player career.

They said Eduard sale was never coming either. What 1 guy says to the media one day doesn’t mean it can’t change with a little bit of money under the table lmao

 

[clay]

Hey everyone. As a Canucks fan, hoping to get a read/scouting report on Riley Patterson from the fans who have seen him play all year. His point totals mirror his teammate Cole Beaudoin who was picked in the first round, with Patterson producing better than him at 5 vs. 5. Given Patterson has NHL size and his skating isn't a weakness, I'm surprised he slipped to the 4th round. Also wondering if he projects more as a centre or winger at the next level. Input would be appreciated!

 

[dirty12]

Hey everyone. As a Canucks fan, hoping to get a read/scouting report on Riley Patterson from the fans who have seen him play all year. His point totals mirror his teammate Cole Beaudoin who was picked in the first round, with Patterson producing better than him at 5 vs. 5. Given Patterson has NHL size and his skating isn't a weakness, I'm surprised he slipped to the 4th round. Also wondering if he projects more as a centre or winger at the next level. Input would be appreciated!

I was a bit surprised Patterson did not go in the 3rd round too. He is a winger imo with more offensive tools than Beaudoin.
Beaudoin is pretty much a can't miss middle six centre though. His fitness results at the combine may have convinced teams that he can be just as relentless at the next level

 

[OHLColtsPuck]

Patterson needs to bulk up and continue to work on his acceleration in order for a successful transition to pro. Hope he has a great D+1 season.

If I'm interested in seeing whether Nygard or Hemming or both come over. If either come the team will be strong and fun to watch.

Just heard Jelsma invited to Pittsburgh camp. He'll likely be back for O/A but if he isn't that's a big blow to the roster.

 

[WorkHardEveryShift]

If some of these imports come (I include Mustard in that group), Barrie will have some real talent. I really think their weakness will be coaching. Has Williamson ever won anything? Can he get them across the line? I don't think so

 

[frontsfan67]

If some of these imports come (I include Mustard in that group), Barrie will have some real talent. I really think their weakness will be coaching. Has Williamson ever won anything? Can he get them across the line? I don't think so

100% agree. Them and Kingston are 2 teams to watch this off season- could turn out looking really good, or just mediocre.

Really wonder how akey comes back he’s a HUGE ‘?’ For me. He could come back as one of the best d men in the league or fall off a cliff like cam Allen on Guelph.

 

[dirty12]

If some of these imports come (I include Mustard in that group), Barrie will have some real talent. I really think their weakness will be coaching. Has Williamson ever won anything? Can he get them across the line? I don't think so

Williamson is an excellent executive and good coach imo. He has coached teams to a jrA championship, three OHL finals, and Usports final. The colts 57-9-0-2 season is next best to the knights 59 win season?

 

[Jimmy582]

I would say Williamson is a good coach just not a great coach but mind u he doenst get given all star teams year after year like dale hunter in london. Almost any ohl coach could win with some of those teams they’ve had over the years.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1812947762507575612

 

[WorkHardEveryShift]

I would say Williamson is a good coach just not a great coach but mind u he doenst get given all star teams year after year like dale hunter in london. Almost any ohl coach could win with some of those teams they’ve had over the years.

I agree a good coach. Meaning above average, but not championship calibre. London wasn't given anything. They have great scouting and the best development program in the league. They use JrB as a development league for rookies. Not sure how every OHL team isn't doing this? After 2022, Barrie has had 2 horrible OHL drafts (2023 and 2024). The import drafts were decent, but they are a crap shoot in getting players to sign

 

[dirty12]

I agree a good coach. Meaning above average, but not championship calibre. London wasn't given anything. They have great scouting and the best development program in the league. They use JrB as a development league for rookies. Not sure how every OHL team isn't doing this? After 2022, Barrie has had 2 horrible OHL drafts (2023 and 2024). The import drafts were decent, but they are a crap shoot in getting players to sign

What makes the 2024 draft horrible; a gamble on Emerton? According to ranks and mocks, the colts did well.