Earlier , a couple of days ago I wrote about organizational depth re goalies and dmem in the system outside the main roster.
Dealing now with the forwards position.
It's an area that Windsor will be fortifying in the upcoming drafts especially with an expected high 1st round picks in all 3 drafts, plus 2-2nds draft picks in the upcoming drafts including Niagara 's acquired in a trade which should be in the 25 or so.
In the system here are some players that have caught my attention at the forward position.
Nathan Gaymes-RW-(17) having a solid rookie season with the Vipers,showed something at Spits training camp GP-25,G-12,A10,22 Pts.,37 Pim.Agressive,tough,I expect him to challenge for a spot despite being a 15th rounder.
Julian Gignac-LW-(16),14th round pick,1st cousin of Spits forward Noah Morneau, and on his dad's side his father played major junior Chris Gignac and European hockey too,is playing currently playing for the Lakeshore Canadiens ,only 16 year-old there leads team in goals,GP-20G,A-13,33 Pts-26Pim,only reason he is in C,is because Windsor have 2-16 year old dmen playing in LA Salle,Manzo and Lavigne.I fully expect for him to compete for a job with Windsor next season.
Maxime Morin-Cen-(16),was pretty impressed with him at camp this past fall,currently playing for U18 team,21GP,9G,10A,19 Pts,18 Pims,plays a solid heads up game both ways with some jam despite not being big at 5'9"-150 lbs,I see him contending for a spot on Windsor next year.
Kyle Butt-RW-(16),also playing U18 hockey,missed camp because because of knee surgery but was here, 21GP,5G,10A,15 Pts, 30 Pims,is pretty aggressive from what I hear,another guy who will interesting at next year's camp.
Marcus Laguna-16,RW, looked good at camp much like Morin,have not found where he is playing,hearing Spits are high on him so his upcoming camp will be interesting to see.
Other players both 05 born wingers Kyler Morgan and Adriano Tonin both decent guys,Morgan signed by the way are playing Jr B this year,Morgan 24GP-8G,8A,16 Pts,28 Pims,and Tonin with LA Salle 25GP,10G,13A,23,Pts,18 Pims,both have decent size and will hit,could 1 filling a bottom 6 role moving forward.
Now there are 3 forwards currently playing with LA Salle that have caught my eye,free agents,2-17 year olds and 1-18 year old
Cen,Owen Pitters -(18) played parts of 2 years with Flint,gritty former 4th rounder,23GP-9G,10A,50 Pims, American born could see him up this seqson if players are moved out.
Jak Thiessen -LW-(17) decent size, local kid can score 20GP-11G,2A,13 Pts,8 Pims, like I said possible freely will be interesting what Windsor does with him.l
Last player another potential free agent
Cen-Connor Chartrand-(17)23GP-5G,9A,14 Pts,small 5'7-160 fast but can play,did attend Oshawa's camp,local kid,did not sign with them will be interesting to see moving forward.
Finally while I think there is some definite potential with the forward group no doubt Spits will add to it with some of their picks in the upcoming 3 drafts.
‘s were in attendance. Or those who were are not saying who’s absent or AWOL. IF I remember correctly the few games remaining until the 9th are against teams that are not highly ranked , perhaps if the Spits win a few it might make the deadline more interesting.
