London Knights 2022-23 Off-Season Thread (Part 1)

[KnightsFan110]

Guessing Humphrey would rather go play close to home than play with a franchise in disarray.

Sad. League should really step in.

I think he's still with Niagara, Petes X account just posted a pic of him and Gord just a short while ago

https://x.com/PetesOHLhockey/status/1705720543159193945?s=20

 

[Petes1987]

I think he's still with Niagara, Petes X account just posted a pic of him and Gord just a short while ago

https://x.com/PetesOHLhockey/status/1705720543159193945?s=20[/UR

http://

emac really!?! I don’t know man

https://x.com/geoffreybrandow/status/1704918421392232511?s=46&t=Xn96b9FkgwRvd20dx_7rpA

Sometimes the unheralded or lesser light players make the best captains. Last year the Petes had Shawn Spearing as captain and his leadership was a key part of the Petes championship win. Shawn would do anything to help his team including taking a puck in his mouth, when he was blocking a shot, breaking his jaw in three place. In all the games afterwards he insisted on dressing to be able to be on the bench with his team.

 

[Fergus31]

Pre-season concluded Friday. Boulton looks like he could be a regular on the 4th line wing. The Dutch boys try hard and look like depth players. Aarowsmith has skills. Made some plays. Gazizov looked good. Needs a big year if London wants to compete for a championship. Crane was more involved physically which is needed from him. Good efforts by London despite the short benches. Think goaltending will be fine. The end.

 

[three dog night]

I think he's still with Niagara, Petes X account just posted a pic of him and Gord just a short while ago

https://x.com/PetesOHLhockey/status/1705720543159193945?s=20

Humphrey still an IceDog scored Thursday night.

 

[LDN]

Pre-season concluded Friday. Boulton looks like he could be a regular on the 4th line wing. The Dutch boys try hard and look like depth players. Aarowsmith has skills. Made some plays. Gazizov looked good. Needs a big year if London wants to compete for a championship. Crane was more involved physically which is needed from him. Good efforts by London despite the short benches. Think goaltending will be fine. The end.

Great depth this year as per usual

 

[zman77]

I just heard about this trade. The Knights did well with this one.
Was Juan Copeland at the Knight's Training Camp?
If so, what's your opinion on him?

The club acquired 18-year-old IceDogs winger Juan Copeland and second-round and third-round picks in the 2026 draft for overager Ryan Humphey and fellow forward Mathieu Paris.
“It was a hard move to make in moving out Ryan and Mathieu,” Knights associate GM Rob Simpson said. “We think (Copeland) has good vision, can really pass the puck, has a good shot and plays a possession-style game. We really like that in him. He protects the puck well and he plays the way we want to play.

London Knights trade Ryan Humphrey for 'highly skilled' former second-rounder

The London Knights acquired Juan Copeland from the Niagara Icedogs in exchance for overager Ryan Humphey and forward Mathieu Paris

lfpress.com

 

[zman77]

Copeland was the first player the Niagara IceDogs selected in the 2021 OHL draft at No. 22. One pick later, the IceDogs selected Joey Costanzo, now the starting goalie for the Windsor Spitfires.
But controversy and poor play has overshadowed the St. Catharines-based franchise the past few years resulting in a significant exodus.
Copeland is a talented playmaker, but knows what the Hunters demand. They want two-way skaters who work hard.
“If you play the right way on the back end, then you’ll be pretty successful on the forward side,” he said. “Then, you’re not in your zone too much. It’s pretty hard to score when you’re not getting the puck to the offensive zone.”
He arrived having known some of the players. He skated with 16-year-old defenceman Henry Brzustewicz in the summer and was an IceDogs teammate of scrappy d-man Alec Leonard.
“Alec is a year older than I am and I looked at him as a leader,” Copeland said. “He plays physical and is a tough guy who is very hard to play against.
“It’s great to have him back (on the same side).”

Juan Copeland brings Puerto Rican flavour to London Knights lineup

The 18-year-old forward, obtained in a trade with the Niagara Ice Dogs, played for the Puerto Rican national team this summer in New York

lfpress.com

Juan Copeland​

Left Wing -- shoots L
Born Sep 3 2005 -- Fowlerville, MI, [18 yrs. ago]
Height 5.11 -- Weight 167 [180 cm/76 kg]

2018-19	Honeybaked 13U AAA	HPHL 13U	15	18	8	26	22	-	|
2019-20	Honeybaked 14U AAA	HPHL 14U	17	13	10	23	12	-	|
2020-21	Honeybaked 15U AAA	HPHL 15U	6	2	1	3	18	-	|
2021-22	Niagara IceDogs	OHL	58	12	10	22	23	-11	|
2022-23	Niagara IceDogs	OHL	57	10	11	21	34	-36	|
	Puerto Rico	International	-	-	-	-	-	-	|
2023-24	London Knights	OHL	-	-	-	-	-	-	|

 

[LDN]

http://

Sometimes the unheralded or lesser light players make the best captains. Last year the Petes had Shawn Spearing as captain and his leadership was a key part of the Petes championship win. Shawn would do anything to help his team including taking a puck in his mouth, when he was blocking a shot, breaking his jaw in three place. In all the games afterwards he insisted on dressing to be able to be on the bench with his team.

Spearing is one of the most lay it all on the line captains in recent memory

 

[jamemcca]

McCue is back

 

[LDN]

McCue is back

Nice! Hopeful he has a good year!

 

[LDN]

https://x.com/londonknights/status/1706383540680606179?s=46&t=Xn96b9FkgwRvd20dx_7rpA

LOL

 

[Fastpace]

https://x.com/londonknights/status/1706383540680606179?s=46&t=Xn96b9FkgwRvd20dx_7rpA

LOL

It's a shock Kitchener Rangers are not even ranked in the top 16. With all their excellent draftees of the last 2 years and their young returnees coming back they will be in the top 8 this season. London Owen Sound Ottawa Saginaw Brantford Mississauga Kitchener and Sudbury or Guelph are my first 8 picks. Cheers !

 

[zman77]

O'Reilly out to prove two 'Sams' worth watching on London Knights​

The NHL scouts will come to London this fall to see defenceman Sam Dickinson and stay for Sam O’Reilly, too.
“I’ll just do my thing,” O’Reilly, the 17-year-old from Toronto, said. “I don’t think (draft projection) is that big of a deal as long as I’m helping out the team. That’s all I need and that’s my goal. Of course, I would like to go as high as I can but whatever happens, I’ll keep working.”
Montreal first-rounder Logan Mailloux was a National at 16 while future Flyer Oliver Bonk and Maple Leaf-to-be Easton Cowan played for the Stars and Komoka Kings respectively before making the full-time jump to the Knights.
“It’s pretty crazy to see,” O’Reilly, a second-round OHL pick in 2022, said. “Those guys are so good and they did a year of development in the (GOJHL). I look up to them and it’s some fuel for me. It’s about listening to what (the Hunters) say. They know what’s best for us and as long as I keep working hard and doing what they want from me, it’ll all turn out.”

O'Reilly out to prove two 'Sams' worth watching on London Knights

Winger Sam O'Reilly had a big year in Junior B and is making the jump to the London Knights where he hopes to impress NHL scouts

lfpress.com

 

[zman77]

https://x.com/MapleLeafs/status/1706450817220272201?s=20

Cowboy gets his 1st as a Leaf!!

 

[ArielNederland]

Cowan looks really good. What are the chances he stays in the nhl along with George?

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

Cowan looks really good. What are the chances he stays in the nhl along with George?

Close to zero

 

[zman77]

EXCLUSIVE: NY ISLANDERS​

Prospect Isaiah George Applying Pressure on Islanders Defense​

At just 19 years old, New York Islanders defenseman Isaiah George is impressing at his first-ever training camp. He spoke with our Stefen Rosner after day two about the experience.

At just 19 years old, New York Islanders defenseman Isaiah George is impressing at his first-ever training camp.
Due to his age, the Islanders fourth-round pick in 2022 can either make the NHL squad or return to juniors for his third season with the OHL's London Knights.
The latter is more likely, but that doesn't mean it's the automatic result once camp ends.
"I've really liked him. He's confident, even from rookie camp. He passes the puck hard. It's on the tape," Islanders head coach Lane Lambert said after day two of camp. "That's the key to being a defenseman, a breakout defenseman. He's young, but he doesn't necessarily play to his age. He seems to be pretty seasoned."

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/new-york-islanders-isaiah-george-prospect-training-camp-ryan-pulock

 

[Knightsfan90]

Cowan looks really good. What are the chances he stays in the nhl along with George?

Zero it's one preseason game playing half squad. I don't even think he will get regular season games

 

[LDN]

I love Cowan! What a beauty!!!

 

[M21]

Hearing comments from Sheldon Keefe after the game we may not be seeing Cowan back for a while. Sounds like they will be keeping him around for a little bit. He has impressed in both the rookie tournament and in his first preseason game. Good for him.

 

[Fergus31]

Hearing comments from Sheldon Keefe after the game we may not be seeing Cowan back for a while. Sounds like they will be keeping him around for a little bit. He has impressed in both the rookie tournament and in his first preseason game. Good for him.

Yes, it’s huge for the players to take these steps. I agree - good for him.

Cowan, I can see making the Leafs next year at 19. Not this year.

I could also see George sticking this year. Not likely but he does a lot of things really well. Good skating, good hockey iq. Needs more time to unleash his offensive ability imo. Fyi, Mete as a 4th in his D+2 year made Montreal.

It always hurts losing underage players to the NHL but if it happens, it’s a net positive for the players and the org. Means something is still working here and others notice that. Hoping for the best for all the players.

 

[zman77]

Easton Cowan Earns an Extended Look and More Observations from Maple Leafs Pre-Season Loss to Senators​

It got to the point where Keefe had to talk himself out of playing Cowan more because of older players like Auston Matthews, David Kampf and Pontus Holmberg centering the other lines.
"It was hard not to. Every time he went out there he's making something happen," Keefe said of Cowan. "I got sick of talking myself out of it and just started playing him more in the third (period) and he was great."
Before making an impact on the scoresheet, Cowan drew a penalty shot opportunity .
Cowan finished the game with the fifth-most ice-time among Maple Leafs forwards at 16:29. He also led all four Toronto centers with an expected goals rating of 61 percent at 5-on-5 according to NaturalStatTrick.com. While teams around the NHL have begun to send down junior players, Cowan will stick around a bit longer after a solid endorsement from Keefe. It wouldn't surprise anyone to see Cowan get back in the lineup for Toronto's next game on Wednesday when they take on the Buffalo Sabres in St. Thomas, Ontario. Cowan is from Mount Brydges, a 30-minute drive away.

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/easton-cowan-earns-an-extended-look-and-more-observations-from-maple-leafs-pre-season-loss-to-senators

 

[LDN]

Yes, it’s huge for the players to take these steps. I agree - good for him.

Cowan, I can see making the Leafs next year at 19. Not this year.

I could also see George sticking this year. Not likely but he does a lot of things really well. Good skating, good hockey iq. Needs more time to unleash his offensive ability imo. Fyi, Mete as a 4th in his D+2 year made Montreal.

It always hurts losing underage players to the NHL but if it happens, it’s a net positive for the players and the org. Means something is still working here and others notice that. Hoping for the best for all the players.

Yo if either of them make the NHL it’s considered a win. End of the day the OHL is a development league. With that being said I don’t think they do make it this year. I think both players will be serviceable NHLers. They are both great skaters and effective in any role.

Easton Cowan Earns an Extended Look and More Observations from Maple Leafs Pre-Season Loss to Senators​

It got to the point where Keefe had to talk himself out of playing Cowan more because of older players like Auston Matthews, David Kampf and Pontus Holmberg centering the other lines.
"It was hard not to. Every time he went out there he's making something happen," Keefe said of Cowan. "I got sick of talking myself out of it and just started playing him more in the third (period) and he was great."
Before making an impact on the scoresheet, Cowan drew a penalty shot opportunity .
Cowan finished the game with the fifth-most ice-time among Maple Leafs forwards at 16:29. He also led all four Toronto centers with an expected goals rating of 61 percent at 5-on-5 according to NaturalStatTrick.com. While teams around the NHL have begun to send down junior players, Cowan will stick around a bit longer after a solid endorsement from Keefe. It wouldn't surprise anyone to see Cowan get back in the lineup for Toronto's next game on Wednesday when they take on the Buffalo Sabres in St. Thomas, Ontario. Cowan is from Mount Brydges, a 30-minute drive away.

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/easton-cowan-earns-an-extended-look-and-more-observations-from-maple-leafs-pre-season-loss-to-senators

Cowan will play in St. Thomas. If he doesn’t that’s a huge missed opportunity

 

[horner]

Yo if either of them make the NHL it’s considered a win. End of the day the OHL is a development league. With that being said I don’t think they do make it this year. I think both players will be serviceable NHLers. They are both great skaters and effective in any role.


Cowan will play in St. Thomas. If he doesn’t that’s a huge missed opportunity

Cowen will play for the Knights this season but next season no guarantees.

 

[Kingpin794]

Not taking anything away from Cowan, he is super talented, but how much of the Leafs potentially keeping him up is to do with the salary cap? Easy to plug him into 4th line duty for under a mill. Free up a little space for later if they want?