Flint Firebirds 2022-23 Off-Season Thread (Part 2)

[FirebirdsFan21]

Man. I thought I was going crazy. I woke up one day this weekend, took a look at my phone and thought I saw something about a Firebirds development camp. Later that day, I checked here, Firebirds IG, Firebirds website and nothing. I just took another look and yes, they did Tweet some pics out but I’m not on Twitter. A little info about it would have been nice. It looks like it might have been open to the public but I missed it if any info was put out about it. I doubt I would have went last weekend but it would be cool if they put an attendees list out or something. At least they were putting names on the backs of jerseys. It’s difficult to try and scout and assess 20+ kids at the camps all while trying to figure out who is actually who. Judging by the 4 pictures they posted….looks like Martin was there. There’s a kid wearing a Caesars lid, so that’s probably Evan Jardine. 9th rounder from this year. It would be huge if they could start pulling more kids from Metro Detroit. Especially if it’s in the later rounds. A quick look on Elite Prospects show Jardine putting up 47g and 137pts in 81 games. Now…I’m not ultra familiar with AAA MM Metro Detroit numbers but….137 in 81 is usually pretty good anywhere. The only other kid likely to be wearing a Caesars helmet is ‘22 5th Round 6’2 winger Darian Anderson. It would be great to see either or both commit. ‘22 5th Round 6’2 D Nathan Schaap is there. Decent offensive #’s and a few PIM’s there too. There’s a kid wearing York-Simcoe Express kit, so I’d imagine that’s ‘23 10th Round D Lucas Manikis. Hopefully all the boys that attended enjoyed themselves and went home healthy. The difficult to far-fetched signing options to hope for are ‘05 D Andrew Strathmann, ‘05 F Brandon Svoboda, or ‘06 F Riley Patterson. Any one of those 3 would be huge signings. Patterson would be stealing a MSU commit from MJ5 though. I think Svoboda is Boston U and Strathmann is….Quinnipiac?

nothing was sent out as far as I can find by the Firebirds. Doesn't look like a lot of fans in the stands. More like family.

 

[Toldyaso]

nothing was sent out as far as I can find by the Firebirds. Doesn't look like a lot of fans in the stands. More like family.

Nope they didn't let any of the fan base know which I find exceedingly disappointing. I always enjoyed seeing the scrimmages at the Prospect/Orientation camps. Always looked at it as sort of a season ticket perk. Would love to hear from someone in the organization as to why they decided to not notify season ticket members this time around.

 

[Toldyaso]

Again? . OHL Announces Sanctions Against the Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club – Ontario Hockey League

 

[Savard18]

Again? . OHL Announces Sanctions Against the Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club – Ontario Hockey League

Wow. It’s messed up that one of the most loyal fanbase’s in the league has to continually put up with this. On the bright side for them, DD won’t be allowed to GM for two years. The league can point fingers and fine and sanction but really? The league should get a mirror and look at itself and how it screens potential owners.

 

[Toldyaso]

Wow. It’s messed up that one of the most loyal fanbase’s in the league has to continually put up with this. On the bright side for them, DD won’t be allowed to GM for two years. The league can point fingers and fine and sanction but really? The league should get a mirror and look at itself and how it screens potential owners

Clown party central over there.

 

[Hockytwn51419]

We have set a goal to visit all 20 arenas (missed opportunity this year for Hamilton ), Has anyone been to all of them? Do you have a favorite and what was your favorite about it? So far we have been to Windsor, Mississauga, London, Sarnia, Saginaw and Flint. Only 14 more to go.

 

[MJ5]

We have set a goal to visit all 20 arenas (missed opportunity this year for Hamilton ), Has anyone been to all of them? Do you have a favorite and what was your favorite about it? So far we have been to Windsor, Mississauga, London, Sarnia, Saginaw and Flint. Only 14 more to go.

Going to try and do the same thing over the next couple years.

 

[Savard18]

We have set a goal to visit all 20 arenas (missed opportunity this year for Hamilton ), Has anyone been to all of them? Do you have a favorite and what was your favorite about it? So far we have been to Windsor, Mississauga, London, Sarnia, Saginaw and Flint. Only 14 more to go.

Owen Sound. Take an extra day or two to enjoy the local geography. The Soo isn’t my favorite destination but the arena is nice and it’s a super convenient set up with parking and everything. Those are the only two I’ve done that aren’t on your list except for old-school stuff. Whalers, Jr Red Wings, St. Mikes at Maple Leaf Gardens. Haven’t been to Missy yet. Might want to check that off the list soon.

 

[MJ5]

 

[FireBird71]

Hopefully Lombardi is next then after that I have no idea

 

[Tarantula]

We have set a goal to visit all 20 arenas (missed opportunity this year for Hamilton ), Has anyone been to all of them? Do you have a favorite and what was your favorite about it? So far we have been to Windsor, Mississauga, London, Sarnia, Saginaw and Flint. Only 14 more to go.

I've been to all of them in Ontario though I hit most of the road rinks 5 years ago. I'd have been to your side of the border but I haven't gotten around to a passport. If you do hit Sauga send me a PM.

 

[Savard18]

Hopefully Lombardi is next then after that I have no idea

Allen, Graziano, Hull all had scouting reports implying they could be OHL ready next year. I’d assume Maxwell Anderson and Cullen Potter have that potential too. Jack D’Arcy indicated his interest in playing for Flint but as a 6th round pick he’ll be in tough to make the squad as a 16yo next year. Almost every fan of every team leaves the draft with optimism but it really does look like Flint did ok this year. They really need to score with the Import draft and I hope they go 18yo NHL drafted Defense with the pick.

 

[OSA]

We have set a goal to visit all 20 arenas (missed opportunity this year for Hamilton ), Has anyone been to all of them? Do you have a favorite and what was your favorite about it? So far we have been to Windsor, Mississauga, London, Sarnia, Saginaw and Flint. Only 14 more to go.

I’ve done all 20 plus Plymouth, Belleville, Brampton & Toronto St. Michael’s (so good and so bad at the same time lol). Also got to see a number of old rinks before the new ones were built.

I agree with the poster that said Owen Sound; definitely worth the trip. It’s a nice drive up, the arena has a lovely setting right on Georgian Bay and game experience at a well-attended game is terrific.
Owen Sound is a small, quaint town that you will be surprised has a team. It’s charm adds to the experience.
**If you have time and enjoy a little scenic drive, Grey Rd 1 between Owen Sound and Wiarton is quite nice.

Kingston is another worthwhile destination. The arena is beautiful (although the game day experience won’t blow you away because games are never attended anywhere near capacity) and is located in one of the most beautiful downtowns you’ll find in the OHL. The St. Lawrence River in the background, gorgeous limestone buildings everywhere, terrific restaurants. Lots of history here too (by Canadian standards).
**on your way, get off the 401 at around Trenton, work your way down to Hwy 33 and take that all the way into Kingston. Nice little towns to travel through (Wellington, Picton, Bath) plus a free ferry ride

Strictly in terms of game experiences, the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium is a must. It is, hands down, the best arena in the OHL, and probably CHL. It’s a beautifully maintained relic that oozes history. When the game is well-attended (like they usually are) the atmosphere is fabulous.
**St. Jacob’s (specifically the Farmer’s Market) is a great side trip while in Kitchener.


Here’s a helpful guide to reference in your travels. Getting to all 20 is a lot of fun and there will be a lot of unexpected surprises along the way that will make your journey memorable. Enjoy!

The OHL Arena Guide

A fan's guide to the arenas of the Ontario Hockey League.

ohlarenaguide.com

 

[Hockytwn51419]

I’ve done all 20 plus Plymouth, Belleville, Brampton & Toronto St. Michael’s (so good and so bad at the same time lol). Also got to see a number of old rinks before the new ones were built.

I agree with the poster that said Owen Sound; definitely worth the trip. It’s a nice drive up, the arena has a lovely setting right on Georgian Bay and game experience at a well-attended game is terrific.
Owen Sound is a small, quaint town that you will be surprised has a team. It’s charm adds to the experience.
**If you have time and enjoy a little scenic drive, Grey Rd 1 between Owen Sound and Wiarton is quite nice.

Kingston is another worthwhile destination. The arena is beautiful (although the game day experience won’t blow you away because games are never attended anywhere near capacity) and is located in one of the most beautiful downtowns you’ll find in the OHL. The St. Lawrence River in the background, gorgeous limestone buildings everywhere, terrific restaurants. Lots of history here too (by Canadian standards).
**on your way, get off the 401 at around Trenton, work your way down to Hwy 33 and take that all the way into Kingston. Nice little towns to travel through (Wellington, Picton, Bath) plus a free ferry ride

Strictly in terms of game experiences, the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium is a must. It is, hands down, the best arena in the OHL, and probably CHL. It’s a beautifully maintained relic that oozes history. When the game is well-attended (like they usually are) the atmosphere is fabulous.
**St. Jacob’s (specifically the Farmer’s Market) is a great side trip while in Kitchener.


Here’s a helpful guide to reference in your travels. Getting to all 20 is a lot of fun and there will be a lot of unexpected surprises along the way that will make your journey memorable. Enjoy!

The OHL Arena Guide

A fan's guide to the arenas of the Ontario Hockey League.

ohlarenaguide.com

Thank you! Appreciate you taking the time and all the information, we are planning a couple extra days for each visit.

 

[Savard18]

Not the first time I’ve heard that said about the Aud in Kitchener. I planned on checking that off the list this year. It’s at the top for next year. That and I wanna do a North Bay/Sudbury swing if it ever gets scheduled in October.

 

[donjohnson]

We have set a goal to visit all 20 arenas (missed opportunity this year for Hamilton ), Has anyone been to all of them? Do you have a favorite and what was your favorite about it? So far we have been to Windsor, Mississauga, London, Sarnia, Saginaw and Flint. Only 14 more to go.

We take the fam on 1-2 roadtrips a year to see a new part of Canada. This year was Owen Sound...we stopped on the way there and checked out a local museum and then stayed at that hotel that's right across the street from the arena. We've been to Kitchener, Hamilton, Flint, Sarnia, Windsor, Peterborough, and Ottawa. I've been told that Mississauga is a great trip but I'm going to try to talk the fam into a Sudbury/North Bay trip and see if we can make that work this year.

 

[MJ5]

 

[ohloutsider]

We take the fam on 1-2 roadtrips a year to see a new part of Canada. This year was Owen Sound...we stopped on the way there and checked out a local museum and then stayed at that hotel that's right across the street from the arena. We've been to Kitchener, Hamilton, Flint, Sarnia, Windsor, Peterborough, and Ottawa. I've been told that Mississauga is a great trip but I'm going to try to talk the fam into a Sudbury/North Bay trip and see if we can make that work this year.

Sudbury- north bay midwinter is a great trip. Never seen so many frozen waterfalls! Old rinks but nice people. The Aud is the one I've never liked. Bad views and not a very polite fan base. Never could figure out why fans rave about it. Like Tim Hortons coffee, everybody drinks it but is it really any good? Owen Sound and Saginaw are my 2 favs. Best fans in the league. PMC and Kingston also worth the trip. Any enjoy whatever you choose.

 

[donjohnson]

I agree with you on the Kitchener fans...while they were in to the game, it's easily the least friendly fanbase of the places we've been. I enjoyed the arena and experience but at a minimum we'll usually make small-talk with the people around us asking about the area and stuff like that. Maybe we just had bad luck on that Kitch trip but our recent trip to Owen Sound, we had people coming up to us and making conversation when they saw our away jerseys. I always try to say something to away fans if I get the chance even if it's just a "thanks for coming to Saginaw" or something like that.

 

[MJ5]

 

[Toldyaso]

Top 2 picks signed and it isn't even June yet.

 

[FireBird71]

Expected those 2 to sign…now it gets interesting

 

[MJ5]

Top 2 picks signed and it isn't even June yet.

Get out of here with your positivity.

This team can't recruit and no one wants to play here, or something like that.

Haven't heard from her in awhile.

 

[Toldyaso]

Get out of here with your positivity.

This team can't recruit and no one wants to play here, or something like that.

Haven't heard from her in awhile.

Stop it your triggering my ptsd

 

[FireBird71]

Get out of here with your positivity.

This team can't recruit and no one wants to play here, or something like that.

Haven't heard from her in awhile.

Too busy going to Toledo