Kingston Frontenacs 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[OMG67]

He would also have to deal with Dave ”I don’t like playing young players” Cameron too.

I get your thinking but at the same time- Dervin is committed to 2026/27 in penn state, even if he was traded for mews(would be a steal for Kingston) what if Dervin left after next year.

You’re not set up well for next year and you lose the key piece of a trade for mews after 1 and a half years. I can’t see you competing with an few teams like Brampton for sure, Brantford and Niagara, north bay should be a lot better next year too with a lot of 06’s I believe. and you lose the key piece of a trade for mews after 1 and a half years.

All of those commitments will get adjusted. I wouldn’t look at any of the 2026-27 start dates for the ‘07s and consider them set in stone in any way, shape, or form.

Also, you are chatting too much with Beast. The reference is for 16 year olds. Dervin is 17. This year is a bit odd in so far as there are a lot of 16/17 year olds on the roster so it has been somewhat difficult to rotate them in as effectively as we’d like but that is more a numbers game than anything else. With other deals, Dervin would play based on his ability. No one gets handed anything for free. You have to earn your ice. The difference is it is going to be a hellova lot more difficult to earn it in Kingston than Ottawa.

A trade to the ‘67s would not surprise me. But the kid is a C rated player that is 6’2” 180 lbs trained at SAC; I could see him as the 8th forward over Heyes and Pickell in short order.

If he’d be the 7th forward ahead of Heyes and Pickle, he’d be the 3rd forward behind Foster and …. Maybe the 2nd forward? Assuming Pinelli is gone. He’d battle with Whitehead and Dever for centre ice time? That’s not all that difficult of a battle if he is that good.

 

[frontsfan67]

All of those commitments will get adjusted. I wouldn’t look at any of the 2026-27 start dates for the ‘07s and consider them set in stone in any way, shape, or form.

Also, you are chatting too much with Beast. The reference is for 16 year olds. Dervin is 17. This year is a bit odd in so far as there are a lot of 16/17 year olds on the roster so it has been somewhat difficult to rotate them in as effectively as we’d like but that is more a numbers game than anything else. With other deals, Dervin would play based on his ability. No one gets handed anything for free. You have to earn your ice. The difference is it is going to be a hellova lot more difficult to earn it in Kingston than Ottawa.

I barely talk to beast lol I’m just going based off when I read the Ottawa thing and you’ve mentioned it before as well with the younger kids. Dervin can play top 9 mins here on a competitive club (I do not see pickell being better than him and Heyes will be swapped out for some other OA to play top line minutes anyways so doesn’t affect Kieran) and next year when the whole team leaves he will be one of the main guys along with obviously Battaglia (until he’s shipped at deadline), Soto (sometime between end of this season and next trade deadline he gets traded), Miedema (but may not be back), mcnamara(may be back but will be 20 and probably doesn’t have as much upside as a guy supposed to be drafted round 4/5) and Hopkins (should be main guy on fronts post deadline with guys moving on)

If he’d be the 7th forward ahead of Heyes and Pickle, he’d be the 3rd forward behind Foster and …. Maybe the 2nd forward? Assuming Pinelli is gone. He’d battle with Whitehead and Dever for centre ice time? That’s not all that difficult of a battle if he is that good.

Fair point. Still we don’t even know if he would be open to a trade- could be EXACTLY like pieniniemi where he is coming due to a great coach and competitive team.

 

[dirty12]

All of those commitments will get adjusted. I wouldn’t look at any of the 2026-27 start dates for the ‘07s and consider them set in stone in any way, shape, or form.

Also, you are chatting too much with Beast. The reference is for 16 year olds. Dervin is 17. This year is a bit odd in so far as there are a lot of 16/17 year olds on the roster so it has been somewhat difficult to rotate them in as effectively as we’d like but that is more a numbers game than anything else. With other deals, Dervin would play based on his ability. No one gets handed anything for free. You have to earn your ice. The difference is it is going to be a hellova lot more difficult to earn it in Kingston than Ottawa.



If he’d be the 7th forward ahead of Heyes and Pickle, he’d be the 3rd forward behind Foster and …. Maybe the 2nd forward? Assuming Pinelli is gone. He’d battle with Whitehead and Dever for centre ice time? That’s not all that difficult of a battle if he is that good.

Battaglia, Uronen, Soto, Meidema, Hopkins, Guindon, McNamara; Dervin would be 8th. You made me count though
I like the little bit of Whitehead that I have seen this season. He’s got no doubt top six and PP upside at 19 imo.

 

[OMG67]

I barely talk to beast lol I’m just going based off when I read the Ottawa thing and you’ve mentioned it before as well with the younger kids. Dervin can play top 9 mins here on a competitive club (I do not see pickell being better than him and Heyes will be swapped out for some other OA to play top line minutes anyways so doesn’t affect Kieran) and next year when the whole team leaves he will be one of the main guys along with obviously Battaglia (until he’s shipped at deadline), Soto (sometime between end of this season and next trade deadline he gets traded), Miedema (but may not be back), mcnamara(may be back but will be 20 and probably doesn’t have as much upside as a guy supposed to be drafted round 4/5) and Hopkins (should be main guy on fronts post deadline with guys moving on)

Fair point. Still we don’t even know if he would be open to a trade- could be EXACTLY like pieniniemi where he is coming due to a great coach and competitive team.

The griping was to do with Whitehead last year as a 16 year old and Amidovski this year as a 16 year old. Generally speaking, there are no real issues with 17 year olds. Whitehead is getting loads of ice this year. Same with most of the deserving 17 year olds. Ekberg gets a fair bit of ice but should get more…like a veteran. If Dervin is a quality 17 year old, he will play.

My overarching point is there should be no real excitement surrounding Dervin. HE won’t likely be an impact player this year. It will take a fair bit of time for him to adjust coming out of U-18. HE is at least three levels below OHL right now with quality JrA and JrB leagues ahead of U-18. This is a really big jump.

 

[OMG67]

Battaglia, Uronen, Soto, Meidema, Hopkins, Guindon, McNamara; Dervin would be 8th. You made me count though
I like the little bit of Whitehead that I have seen this season. He’s got no doubt top six and PP upside at 19 imo.

Full honesty, right now if I had to rank Ottawa’s forwards:
1> Pinelli (likely traded)
2> Foster
3> Ekberg (projecting 2nd half impact)
4> Stonehouse
5> Gerrior (assuming MacK is gone)
6> Dever
7> Whitehead
8> Barlas
9> Korbler
10> Amidovski, Yanni, Horner, Houben, Kelly all in some sort of inconsequential order.

Dervin would likely start on the wing but he could potentially play centre, especially if Ekberg finds his way to centre with Foster on his wing. That leaves Whitehead and Dever at centre to contend with.

 

[leafs4life94]

The griping was to do with Whitehead last year as a 16 year old and Amidovski this year as a 16 year old. Generally speaking, there are no real issues with 17 year olds. Whitehead is getting loads of ice this year. Same with most of the deserving 17 year olds. Ekberg gets a fair bit of ice but should get more…like a veteran. If Dervin is a quality 17 year old, he will play.

My overarching point is there should be no real excitement surrounding Dervin. HE won’t likely be an impact player this year. It will take a fair bit of time for him to adjust coming out of U-18. HE is at least three levels below OHL right now with quality JrA and JrB leagues ahead of U-18. This is a really big jump.

I'd agree with the point if it was just run of the mill U18 AAA but prep school is a little different. I have no doubts that he'd have been able to play Jr A if we wanted but he decided to go down the prep path

I don't think people are expecting him to jump in and immediately be a PPG top 6 player, it's more that Kingston has a very dim future beyond Hopkins in terms their '07s so getting one that could be a player is something to look forward to

 

[OMG67]

I'd agree with the point if it was just run of the mill U18 AAA but prep school is a little different. I have no doubts that he'd have been able to play Jr A if we wanted but he decided to go down the prep path

I don't think people are expecting him to jump in and immediately be a PPG top 6 player, it's more that Kingston has a very dim future beyond Hopkins in terms their '07s so getting one that could be a player is something to look forward to

I dont’ disagree. HE is playing prep school for the education which is why he is hanging at 1.5 PPG right now. Eh isn’t U-18 level. The point is he hasn’t been tested the way he will get tested. There will be an adjustment period without a doubt. I cannot see Mann throwing this kid into top 9 minutes ahead of veteran players. I also cannot see Kingston standing pat on forwards. He may fit into the top 9 right now if he replaces Pickle but not if another forward is added.

This is a futures move or a trade chip. One or the other. Any discussion about this kid being an impact signing is not reasonable. Funny things can happen but this isn’t projected as that nor should it be. Even 3rd line is a stretch on a Contending team.

May original point, if you scroll back, was that if you wanted him to be impactful this year, he’d be more impactful as a trade piece.

 

[dirty12]

I dont’ disagree. HE is playing prep school for the education which is why he is hanging at 1.5 PPG right now. Eh isn’t U-18 level. The point is he hasn’t been tested the way he will get tested. There will be an adjustment period without a doubt. I cannot see Mann throwing this kid into top 9 minutes ahead of veteran players. I also cannot see Kingston standing pat on forwards. He may fit into the top 9 right now if he replaces Pickle but not if another forward is added.

This is a futures move or a trade chip. One or the other. Any discussion about this kid being an impact signing is not reasonable. Funny things can happen but this isn’t projected as that nor should it be. Even 3rd line is a stretch on a Contending team.

May original point, if you scroll back, was that if you wanted him to be impactful this year, he’d be more impactful as a trade piece.

I think the last thing Kingston should really care to add in the top 9 is a Thibodeau, L.Misa, MacDonell type player. I would not be so quick to say Dervin cannot be an impactful 9th forward..

 

[OMG67]

I think the last thing Kingston should really care to add in the top 9 is a Thibodeau, L.Misa, MacDonell type player. I would not be so quick to say Dervin cannot be an impactful 9th forward..

Pickle has 11 points. He’s the #9 guy. What does Dervin need to do to unseat Pickle and make a marked difference? .75 PPG? Not likely to happen. I mean, what’s the real difference? Not much if any and that is if the player adjusts relatively quickly going from U-18 to OHL. That is a big jump in competition. Most would suggest high end Bantam is more “competitive” than U-18.

 

[frontsfan67]

The griping was to do with Whitehead last year as a 16 year old and Amidovski this year as a 16 year old. Generally speaking, there are no real issues with 17 year olds. Whitehead is getting loads of ice this year. Same with most of the deserving 17 year olds. Ekberg gets a fair bit of ice but should get more…like a veteran. If Dervin is a quality 17 year old, he will play.

My overarching point is there should be no real excitement surrounding Dervin. HE won’t likely be an impact player this year. It will take a fair bit of time for him to adjust coming out of U-18. HE is at least three levels below OHL right now with quality JrA and JrB leagues ahead of U-18. This is a really big jump.

Didn’t Ekberg just get healthy scratched? And before then was on 4th line? And before that 3rd line? And was also apparently a really talented guy coming into this year?

Believe there was talk about him getting drafted pretty high, no?

 

[OMG67]

Didn’t Ekberg just get healthy scratched? And before then was on 4th line? And before that 3rd line? And was also apparently a really talented guy coming into this year?

Believe there was talk about him getting drafted pretty high, no?

Well, sort of. Is Whitehead the 4th line centre? I think the issues is how they fill out the lineup. HE get’s 1st PP time. I think he argument is he should play centre or wing with Foster and Pinelli but I can understand the logic of putting him with Whitehead and Amidovski if the plan is for the three of them to play with each other then next two seasons…. If it is a development year and that’s the focus, I could see the logic in it. That line gets a fair bit of ice. Ekberg always got ice. It was Amidovski that would get subbed out.

Ekberg didn’t play the last game but there was no communications about him as for a reason. The kid has 16 points so you cannot say he isn’t getting ice. I guess it is a matter of opinion as to whether he has gotten enough of it. His defensive side likely needs more work so that probably why he’s somewhat sheltered more 5 on 5? I dunno.

Too many players under 18 so a lot of shuffling. 7 of 19 skaters plus a goalie under 18. Plus the added OA rotation making it 20 skaters since Stonehouse is back. Depending on opinion, you cannot make all of them happy. Impossible.

 

[dirty12]

Pickle has 11 points. He’s the #9 guy. What does Dervin need to do to unseat Pickle and make a marked difference? .75 PPG? Not likely to happen. I mean, what’s the real difference? Not much if any and that is if the player adjusts relatively quickly going from U-18 to OHL. That is a big jump in competition. Most would suggest high end Bantam is more “competitive” than U-18.

2024-25 Hockey Schedule - St. Andrew's College

The official 2024-25 Hockey schedule for the St. Andrew's College

sacsaints.ca

I would say Dervin needs to play faster and be more disruptive than Pickell. I think Pickell plays a smart safe game, but in doing so he does not play at the speed I think capable.

 

[leafs4life94]

Kieren Dervin Commits to the Frontenacs - Kingston Frontenacs

Kingston, Ontario – The Kingston Frontenacs Hockey Club is pleased to announce the signing of forward Kieren Dervin to an OHL Scholarship and Development agreement. The Frontenacs used their fifth round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection to draft Kieren 86th overall. “We’re very excited to...

chl.ca

Dervin signing official - obviously they're not going to say "we signed him to trade him" but a quote like "“Adding Kieren will help us down the middle over the next couple of seasons.” continued Cooper. “The intent is to have him play some games with the Frontenacs this season, and ultimately have him join the Frontenacs full-time for the 2025-26 season. We look forward to getting him to Kingston and continuing his development as a player.”" doesn't make me think they're looking to immediately trade him...

Looking forward to seeing him get in some game action.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

Sheesh OMG -- -it's Pickell not Pickle -he's not the damn vegetable.

2024-25 Hockey Schedule - St. Andrew's College

The official 2024-25 Hockey schedule for the St. Andrew's College

sacsaints.ca

I would say Dervin needs to play faster and be more disruptive than Pickell. I think Pickell plays a smart safe game, but in doing so he does not play at the speed I think capable.

Mann seems to trust Pickell - often putting him on in important situations. He finishes every check when it makes sense to finish a check, he's one of the few fronts that stands IN FRONT of the net and takes a beating doing it, and he plays a smart safe game as you mentioned. I see Dervin playing 4th line with Clark and Buttar when he is dressing and will occasionally spot duty on other lines after a PK or PP.

 

[leafs4life94]

I wonder if they send Kelly down to get some game time, they'll have Weir as a scratch that can fill in on that 4th line as well

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

I wonder if they send Kelly down to get some game time, they'll have Weir as a scratch that can fill in on that 4th line as well

They have been going with 1extra fwd and 1 extra d all year long, it's not out question to have 2 f and 1 d scratched each night - they have done that the past few years. Think last year it was Cavallin and a rotating guy always sitting. To me Weir isn't OHL calibre - and Kelly is still quite young but can play at the speed - just needs to get a bit stronger. I think if Dervin does play regular then he may play with Buttar and Clark or swap with Pickell on 3 and you have a 4th of Clark-Buttar-Pickell and 3rd of Uronen -McNamara-Dervin with Weir/Kelly scratches or as you suggested sent to Jr. A

 

[frontsfan67]

I wonder if they send Kelly down to get some game time, they'll have Weir as a scratch that can fill in on that 4th line as well

I think Kelly gets sent down for sure. Hasn’t played in the last few games and has 0 points on the year.

Late birthday too so he gets can get drafted in 2027. should play OJHL the rest of this year and get some confidence there, come back here next year with most of the forward group gone and get a lot more ice time and then the year after is his draft year and he probably takes another leap

 

[leafs4life94]

They have been going with 1extra fwd and 1 extra d all year long, it's not out question to have 2 f and 1 d scratched each night - they have done that the past few years. Think last year it was Cavallin and a rotating guy always sitting. To me Weir isn't OHL calibre - and Kelly is still quite young but can play at the speed - just needs to get a bit stronger. I think if Dervin does play regular then he may play with Buttar and Clark or swap with Pickell on 3 and you have a 4th of Clark-Buttar-Pickell and 3rd of Uronen -McNamara-Dervin with Weir/Kelly scratches or as you suggested sent to Jr. A

Agreed - if they're going to be consistently rotating guys in and out then I've got no issues with Kelly staying up, but if Dervin ends up being in the line-up more consistently I think Kelly would develop better in the OJHL vs being a healthy scratch. As bad as it to say I'm not as worried about Weir in the same vein because I don't think there's much of an OHL future there - his skating is not up to par.

 

[frontsfan67]

Will be an interesting game on Friday- London is the second most penalized team in the league (15.3/game) and kingston is the least penalized team in the league (10.01/game)

Good for the Fronts staying out of the box. Little worried Friday they’ll get pushed around pretty good though against a more physical team. Boulton and Haltunnen should both be out (suspensions) and that obviously helps the fronts in 2 different aspects- 1 less incredibly talented player and 1 less agitator to worry about.

Should be a good measuring stick game to see how good we really are in all aspects- if we get pushed around I’d expect a move to be made to bring in some toughness similar to how Oshawa brought in Tyler O’Toole from Sarnia or how London usually has Boulton

Agreed - if they're going to be consistently rotating guys in and out then I've got no issues with Kelly staying up, but if Dervin ends up being in the line-up more consistently I think Kelly would develop better in the OJHL vs being a healthy scratch. As bad as it to say I'm not as worried about Weir in the same vein because I don't think there's much of an OHL future there - his skating is not up to par.

Yeah weir if he wants a chance at any team in the OHL has to really improve the skating. He seemed a lot faster last year and it looks like he put on weight. Has to improve conditioning if that is the case. Probably not as easy though sitting on the bench or in a box every game.

 

[leafs4life94]

Will be an interesting game on Friday- London is the second most penalized team in the league (15.3/game) and kingston is the least penalized team in the league (10.01/game)

Good for the Fronts staying out of the box. Little worried Friday they’ll get pushed around pretty good though against a more physical team. Boulton and Haltunnen should both be out (suspensions) and that obviously helps the fronts in 2 different aspects- 1 less incredibly talented player and 1 less agitator to worry about.

Should be a good measuring stick game to see how good we really are in all aspects- if we get pushed around I’d expect a move to be made to bring in some toughness similar to how Oshawa brought in Tyler O’Toole from Sarnia or how London usually has Boulton

I know there's very differing opinions but I would love for Kingston to acquire an old school face-puncher - partially because they're entertaining as hell to watch, but also because Kingston is a smallish team without that big bruiser. That's part of the reason Konnor Smith sticks out as an OA - even though if they upgrade on Heyes its likely a forward - having that monster on the back-end could completely change how other teams play Kingston.

I don't know who all's out there but it's worth looking into.

 

[frontsfan67]

I know there's very differing opinions but I would love for Kingston to acquire an old school face-puncher - partially because they're entertaining as hell to watch, but also because Kingston is a smallish team without that big bruiser. That's part of the reason Konnor Smith sticks out as an OA - even though if they upgrade on Heyes its likely a forward - having that monster on the back-end could completely change how other teams play Kingston.

I don't know who all's out there but it's worth looking into.

I agree. Last game uens got flatted a couple times- took an absolute beating that game. I don’t remember by who but I know one of the shifts our Battaglia line was on and none of those guys are fighting for sure. Burns was on too and I was surprised he didn’t jump in but he’s not a tough guy at all either.

What happens if some goon absolutely levels Battaglia or Hopkins and all we have is mcgowan, little cal uens or Heyes who isn’t even a tough guy- more like a chihuahua all bark no bite.

We have nobody that can be a big imposing force like when we had Lawson crouse “the sheriff” teams backed away from our guys because they didn’t want to answer the bell with him.

 

[leafs4life94]

I agree. Last game uens got flatted a couple times- took an absolute beating that game. I don’t remember by who but I know one of the shifts our Battaglia line was on and none of those guys are fighting for sure. Burns was on too and I was surprised he didn’t jump in but he’s not a tough guy at all either.

What happens if some goon absolutely levels Battaglia or Hopkins and all we have is mcgowan, little cal uens or Heyes who isn’t even a tough guy- more like a chihuahua all bark no bite.

We have nobody that can be a big imposing force like when we had Lawson crouse “the sheriff” teams backed away from our guys because they didn’t want to answer the bell with him.

The only downside to having a good player as your sheriff is that teams will gladly take those trades - just using Smith as an example, London would gladly trade 5 minutes of no Boulton for 5 minutes of no Smith. Same with Oshawa and O'Toole.

I've got no doubts Burns would step in against them if the situation called for it but he's not the greatest fighter in the world, and again other teams would take that trade off all day.

 

[beastintheeast]

The only downside to having a good player as your sheriff is that teams will gladly take those trades - just using Smith as an example, London would gladly trade 5 minutes of no Boulton for 5 minutes of no Smith. Same with Oshawa and O'Toole.

I've got no doubts Burns would step in against them if the situation called for it but he's not the greatest fighter in the world, and again other teams would take that trade off all day.

Teams are missing that point. They are all so worried abut point producing that they forget about the other parts of the game.

Teams need that player that the coach can direct. That can play a str8 shift or go out and raise hell.

Ottawa has had a lot of them but for the life of me I am not sure Kingston has. Crouse mayhave been your last one but rmember he learned the skill playing with Travis K

This is the perfect position for a mid card player that either has size or nows how to handle himself. It is also a way for players trying tofind their way onto the roster more can do so.

Just went bakc in the Fronts history and the onoly guy with big PM is Burns and Dawson Baker. Looking at Robertson I am assuming he looked after himself.

These guys don't realilze that there is a place for them in Pro hockey.

Ottawa had guys like
Travis Barron
Middleton who is playing with thewild
Zanetti
Dalton Smith

The most enjoyable Otttawa cop i remember was Galbraith followed closely by Freddy Oduya.

Both of those guys knew what their roles were and istened t what killer said.

When you have little guys on your team that are scoring you need that big guy that can protect them.

 

[frontsfan67]

Guindon the first big fish to go the NCAA route. Hopefully the only one from the fronts lol as he wouldn’t be back next year anyways

 

[leafs4life94]

Can players go back and forth between prep and the OHL? I'm a little intrigued by SAC's wording of their tweet because they say that Dervin is signed for next year, but Mann said Dervin would be playing in games this year...