Sarnia Sting 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[davewheeler]

East (division) maybe, but when Beck & Mayer are moved the Petes will likely drop fast.

I agree... The person who said ptbo would regress made me take a second look and yah it would be a huge mistake not to trade players.

 

[howler2]

Not a great goal but I also don't blame him as he probably wasn't ready for their best shooter to be alone in the slot when 3 seconds prior we had it full control with 0 pressure. Just a total meltdown.

Bad teams find ways to lose. We did just that today.

It was not easy, but we managed to get him that pass right out front.

 

[StingUpdates]

This might be a long one, so apologies in advance lol & I know I'm getting way (way) to ahead of myself & there's a few to many hypotheticals but there ain't much to talk about with this team rn so here it goes.. I'm starting to wonder if 25-26 is the yr to go for it. By the looks of it we'll probably have a top 4 pick this year & next year isn't looking that great either, though the conference will be weaker.

Brown looks like a great young F. Remain high on Barr, Hurt, Bridgewater. Beamish having a phenomenal season (still gotta see him up obviously). Luecke showed good things while up. Sim has been better than I personally anticipated. Early signs is this past class could be a real good one.

One would hope we get a real dynamic, high-end F this upcoming draft & hopefully have some other solid picks. That would be quite the young nucleus who'd be 19 & 18 in 26-27 opposed to them being 18 & 17 in 25-26 which rarely is the core of a championship team.

The biggest reason I penciled 25-26 as the year is Fischer will be 19 & our OAs would likely be Wainwright, Young & Moses or Schnieder who'd be 2 great OAs & then TBD on the final 2. But the rest of the roster is gonna be U18 & I'm rather tired of having to go trade for 4, 5, 6 high end 19 yr olds.

As mentioned in 26-27 Brown, Barr, Hurt, Bridgewater, Beamish, Sim, Luecke would all be 19. OAs could be Hall, Chartier & they'd need to find a new a 3rd assuming Fischer is gone pro (likely gonna be a 2nd or 3rd rounder they usually aren't back as OAs). Hope would be the kid they take this yr would be going into yr 3 & is a real difference maker + whoever else they draft.

Another reason I thought 25-26 was a top 10 import pick this year, but it's not impossible to find a promising 17 yr old who could grow with the team & also be 19 in 26-27 + another decently high import pick next year if we struggle & Kukumberg being an OA the following ssn.

This team never & I mean never takes their time to rebuild. The first sniff they get of being good they go all-in. Every. Single. Time. And they never stockpile picks which always leads to them needing to trade all their promising U17 players.

They could for once stockpile up a bit if they spent multiple years selling Filak, Vilmanis, Doucette, LeBlanc's & even Wainwright, Young, Fischer in the coming years who'd fetch quite a bit & set us up really well & maybe limit how many good young guys we'd have to trade.

I know, far away & a lot unknowns/ifs but starting to think it might be the better path. I'm usually the inpatient one, too haha so sitting thru multiple poor seasons would be painful & crappy but if it gives us the best possible chance at a trophy whatever then. Hopefully the fall off wouldn't be as drastic either. As we always go from competing to win to 8th or worse for 2 seasons every time. My tune could definitely change if we sit here next yr & their U19s look great & they had another great draft & got some good returns in trades.

Also, 2026-2027 is an OHL mem cup host year..

 

[StingUpdates]

This was nice to see. Jacob said post game he really appreciated it & it's that type of stuff that brings the team closer. Hurt' play has fell off a bit (bit understandable) of late. Looked a bit overwhelmed playing top pair, but I remain such a big fan.

Think as he matures & gets stronger he'll be such a rock on D. Playing top pair, PK as a rookie is so impressive let alone he wasn't a top 3 Rd pick.

Can definitely see him becoming a Dillingham type D but with more puck skills, better skating ability at 16-17-18.

 

[Ferda11]

Surprised no one on here is talking about the coaching after 7 straight losses. Letang lose the bench already? Pretty large turnaround this team made between the 1st 10 games and since then. A completely different team and effort. Not reading many comments on the drive, hustle or work ethic that we did the 1st 10 games either.

I'm about as interested in this team as they seem to be on the ice, which ain't much.

 

[StingUpdates]

Surprised no one on here is talking about the coaching after 7 straight losses. Letang lose the bench already? Pretty large turnaround this team made between the 1st 10 games and since then. A completely different team and effort. Not reading many comments on the drive, hustle or work ethic that we did the 1st 10 games either.

I'm about as interested in this team as they seem to be on the ice, which ain't much.

I've stated some of my complaints with the lines or usages, but other than that idk what else there is to be said. They don't have the talent to keep up & after a really sluggish start for quite a few teams they've found there games & we have no answer.

Like this past weekend they definitely battled hard in Saginaw, Guelph & last weekend vs Owen Sound. They just don't have the talent or experience & now don't have the confidence.

Sullivan leaving out of nowhere certainly didn't help neither did the injuries & the Jeffrey hire I think was a mistake. Not because he isn't smart or potentially a good coach, but because Haley runs the Fs/PP. He has no idea how to run a defense.

They hired Jeffrey to help the Fs & PP... when Sullivan ran the defense. Last week Letang ran the D & Haley was HC but they stopped that this past weekend. Jeffrey was on the D side Sunday & I was watching him & he barely ever said anything because he probably doesn't know what to say to the Dmen. Should've hired a Defensive minded coach to replace Sullivan.

 

[nelli27]

Sarnia at London, Tuesday, December 5th.
Teddy Bear Toss game.
I have two tickets for sale (face value), section 101.
PM if interested.

EDIT: sold

 

[StingUpdates]

Idk if u can call a game in December (how is it gonna be December already?!?) A must win but I think Friday is about as close as it gets.

Let's be real this team isn't going anywhere, but you don't wanna be a joke or embarrassed. Brantford is beatable. Home game. Probably facing their backup.

After them u have KIT, LDN, BAR (2nd half of b2b +3in4 for us), OS, SAG, FLT, LDN, LDN... With Vilmanis, Letang & maybe Kukumberg gone.

Need a lot more from their vets. Sikic, Filak especially have been very disappointing lately. Usually 2 guys who give it 100%, but they've done nothing for 5-6 games now. Be awesome if we could catch a break up front & get Brown, Moses, Kukumberg back or at least 2 of them.

 

[Ferda11]

Idk if u can call a game in December (how is it gonna be December already?!?) A must win but I think Friday is about as close as it gets.

Let's be real this team isn't going anywhere, but you don't wanna be a joke or embarrassed. Brantford is beatable. Home game. Probably facing their backup.

After them u have KIT, LDN, BAR (2nd half of b2b +3in4 for us), OS, SAG, FLT, LDN, LDN... With Vilmanis, Letang & maybe Kukumberg gone.

Need a lot more from their vets. Sikic, Filak especially have been very disappointing lately. Usually 2 guys who give it 100%, but they've done nothing for 5-6 games now. Be awesome if we could catch a break up front & get Brown, Moses, Kukumberg back or at least 2 of them.

I'd be a bit more concerned with the Bulldogs....

Bulldogs: 7-2-1 their last 10, with an average of 4 goals a game.

Sting: 1-9 their last 10, with an average of 1.8 goals a game.

We might be in for one of the longest losing streaks in Sting history here. The upcoming schedule and the recent play of this team is certainly setting things up for that to be a possibility. Add in the facts you were spittin about Letang, Vilmanis and possibly Kukumberg being away for a month, and man....it don't look good at all.

Good thing about all this is it's junior hockey. We all know any team has a shot on any given night so we can at least hang our hats on that and have that little bit of hope going into each game lol. But for real, I don't mind the rebuild and all the big and little bumps along the way, but I've gone back and watched a few of the games I missed while away, and what is most concerning to me is the effort and drive we all saw in the beginning, seems to have disappeared. IMO, this falls on the coaching staff and veterans. This team needs to find it's identity. It doesn't have one right now. They are lost and their records proves it.

Anyone happen to know our longest losing streak officially by the way?

 

[OHL4Life]

Idk if u can call a game in December (how is it gonna be December already?!?) A must win but I think Friday is about as close as it gets.

Let's be real this team isn't going anywhere, but you don't wanna be a joke or embarrassed. Brantford is beatable. Home game. Probably facing their backup.

After them u have KIT, LDN, BAR (2nd half of b2b +3in4 for us), OS, SAG, FLT, LDN, LDN... With Vilmanis, Letang & maybe Kukumberg gone.

Need a lot more from their vets. Sikic, Filak especially have been very disappointing lately. Usually 2 guys who give it 100%, but they've done nothing for 5-6 games now. Be awesome if we could catch a break up front & get Brown, Moses, Kukumberg back or at least 2 of them.

after last years total buy, this year was expected to be a battle for worst in the ohl was it not? team played well to start but are getting back to what many figured they would be.

 

[StingUpdates]

I'd be a bit more concerned with the Bulldogs....

Bulldogs: 7-2-1 their last 10, with an average of 4 goals a game.

Sting: 1-9 their last 10, with an average of 1.8 goals a game.

We might be in for one of the longest losing streaks in Sting history here. The upcoming schedule and the recent play of this team is certainly setting things up for that to be a possibility. Add in the facts you were spittin about Letang, Vilmanis and possibly Kukumberg being away for a month, and man....it don't look good at all.

Good thing about all this is it's junior hockey. We all know any team has a shot on any given night so we can at least hang our hats on that and have that little bit of hope going into each game lol. But for real, I don't mind the rebuild and all the big and little bumps along the way, but I've gone back and watched a few of the games I missed while away, and what is most concerning to me is the effort and drive we all saw in the beginning, seems to have disappeared. IMO, this falls on the coaching staff and veterans. This team needs to find it's identity. It doesn't have one right now. They are lost and their records proves it.

Anyone happen to know our longest losing streak officially by the way?

2000-2001 ~ 9 games w/1Tie, 11 games w/4 ties

2001-2001 ~ 13 games without a win, 3 ties.

2004-2005 ~ 16 games without a win, 2 ties. 13 straight losses.

2005-2006 might be our shining moment ~ *ahem* 18 straight losses.....

2009-2010 ~ 17 straight losses..

2013-2014 ~ 16 straight losses..

My fricken god we've been treated to some truly horrific years. Funny enough a lot of these losing streaks ended with a win over London.

Boys have some wiggle room before we should get really worried I guess

 

[Ferda11]

2000-2001 ~ 9 games w/1Tie, 11 games w/4 ties

2001-2001 ~ 13 games without a win, 3 ties.

2004-2005 ~ 16 games without a win, 2 ties. 13 straight losses.

2005-2006 might be our shining moment ~ *ahem* 18 straight losses.....

2009-2010 ~ 17 straight losses..

2013-2014 ~ 16 straight losses..

My fricken god we've been treated to some truly horrific years. Funny enough a lot of these losing streaks ended with a win over London.

Boys have some wiggle room before we should get really worried I guess

Hahaha I remember the 2013/2014 losing streak. Pretty sure that was the game Goldobin single handily destroyed the London Knights on New Years. That ended our losing streak but also stopped London 1 win shy of a franchise win streak record… heck, may have even been a league record, I can’t remember. I watched @GoKnightsGo44 heart break into a million pieces that night. Good times.

 

[SarniaStingFan]

Hahaha I remember the 2013/2014 losing streak. Pretty sure that was the game Goldobin single handily destroyed the London Knights on New Years. That ended our losing streak but also stopped London 1 win shy of a franchise win streak record… heck, may have even been a league record, I can’t remember. I watched @GoKnightsGo44 heart break into a million pieces that night. Good times.

If memory serves me correctly I think London was going something like 25 straight wins and Golodobin scored four in that one to win 5-4 in OT

Edit: Sting actually won that game 6-5 in OT and that was the 2012-2013 season. The win broke London's 24 game winning streak

 

[StingUpdates]

Owen Sound GM said today they won't be selling & want a vet Dman + depth F. Can't help with the D part, but Seca should be phoning them up for Doucette/Filak/LeBlanc.

Getting to that time where I imagine phone calls are being made more frequently especially for teams wanting to get something done pre WJC/Christmas trade freeze.

Also Voit is yet to play still due to his injury. Surely at some point they say just go on back to junior. Jump to pro is tough enough let alone when u don't play for the first 3 months.

 

[JAMER]

Owen Sound GM said today they won't be selling & want a vet Dman + depth F. Can't help with the D part, but Seca should be phoning them up for Doucette/Filak/LeBlanc.

Getting to that time where I imagine phone calls are being made more frequently especially for teams wanting to get something done pre WJC/Christmas trade freeze.

Also Voit is yet to play still due to his injury. Surely at some point they say just go on back to junior. Jump to pro is tough enough let alone when u don't play for the first 3 months.

I'm honestly really starting to hope Voit comes back. And if he dose the first place I would send him is the SOO for Martin and picks.

 

[StingUpdates]

I'm honestly really starting to hope Voit comes back. And if he dose the first place I would send him is the SOO for Martin and picks.

Wouldn't get a 1st rounder for an OA. Id be happy getting a 2nd + 3rd + 4th. Lockhart who had 80pts + helped PBO win the OHL got a 3rd & 5th.

At this pt it's what Toronto should probably do. I had my doubts if he was pro ready anyways let alone him clearly suffering a pretty bad injury & missing camp & the first 3 months. Be asking a lot of him. Get in half a season + a long playoff run (whoever would add him would hope) + full summer then turn pro.

 

[Stellar29]

Wouldn't get a 1st rounder for an OA. Id be happy getting a 2nd + 3rd + 4th. Lockhart who had 80pts + helped PBO win the OHL got a 3rd & 5th.

At this pt it's what Toronto should probably do. I had my doubts if he was pro ready anyways let alone him clearly suffering a pretty bad injury & missing camp & the first 3 months. Be asking a lot of him. Get in half a season + a long playoff run (whoever would add him would hope) + full summer then turn pro.

Obviously ice time is important but there's other factors involved outside of games that would be beneficial to Voit at the pro level. He's going to have access to pro strength and conditioning coaches, pro team facilities, pro skill coaches, nutritionists, skating coaches that will hold a great deal of value. The NHL club also has more direct oversight in his progression.

Being that they've committed an ELC contract to him and he counts towards their 50 contract limit it's in the club's best interests to try and get everything they can out of him. Voit's a guy who's already demonstrated that he can produce at an elite rate in the OHL. Limited action at the pro level paired with work in the gym with the pro level strength and conditioning coaches is probably the right move.

I can certainly see the benefit to Sarnia if he did get sent back and I'm sure they would love the assets they could bring back for him but it would seem unlikely to happen.

 

[StingUpdates]

I know super early still but heres a top 20 ranking for the OHL draft from someone who watches all these kids.

Find in the O the top 3or4 tends not to change a whole lot throughout the yr unless something drastic happens. would definitely be nice to end up with Wasslyn or Valentini.

2024 OHL Draft Rankings

Puck Preps initial top 20 for the 2024 OHL Draft.

puckpreps.com

 

[StingUpdates]

Alright, been rather negative lately. Gonna change it up for a whole day. Sting win tonight, 5-3.

Heard Moses, Kukumberg were hoping to be back & that would be a huge boost to this team. Moses energy has been missed dearly as has both guys ability to hold onto the puck & throw the body around.

 

[HockeyPops]

Alright, been rather negative lately. Gonna change it up for a whole day.

That's a long time

 

[Ferda11]

That's a long time

He's a better man than I am! I'm so sure we are losing tonight that I'm going to catch the Knights/Missy game at the bud instead.

 

[StingUpdates]

Kukumberg on the preliminary roster for Slovakia WJC team. Congrats to him! I imagine this is the last weekend for him, sandis & Letang before they depart.

 

[JAMER]

Chartier starts Moses is back and more line shake ups.

 

[StingUpdates]

Sim playing line 1 tonight. Really like that. Doherty being given a big chance on L2. Moses back but no Kukumberg or Brown.

Sim-Filak-Vilmanis
Doucette-Wainwright-Doherty
Schwindt-Sikic-LeBlanc
Hall-Way-Moses

Hurt-Fischer
LeBlanc-Schneider
Young-Barr

Chartier starts which is what I was hoping they'd do. Gotta give him more consistent playing time.

 

[StingUpdates]

Voit sent to the ECHL.