SUDBURY, Ont. – Continuing to help steer the organization in the right direction, Corey Bricknell and the rest of the staff and organization of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Elliot Lake Wildcats look to build on what they have on the ice at Centennial Arena and beyond.
Already actively involved in the community off the ice, like so many other NOJHL clubs, Elliot Lake is busily preparing for the commencement of the season.
Under head coach and general manager Bricknell, the Wildcats qualified for the playoffs in 2017-18 and boasted a pair of skaters that finished in the Top 10 in league scoring.
Gearing up to host the Soo Eagles on Saturday, Sept. 8 in their season opener, here’s a look at the Elliot Lake Wildcats in this latest NOJHL team-by-team season preview Q&A compiled by the league, in conjunction with its member teams.
NOJHL: What are your expectations for the club heading into the 2018-19 season?
COREY BRICKNELL: We are looking forward to this season and think we should be in the mix with the top teams of our league. Our league is very competitive and any team can win on any night.
NOJHL: What you’ve seen from your team early in training camp?
C.B.: We just opened camp on Monday as we hit the ice. We are doing two-a-days this week with hour and a half practices and then inter-squad games in the evenings, plus dry-land.
NOJHL: Who are some returning players that you expect to lead the Wildcats?
C.B.: Brett Lannin; Carson Andreoli; Cole Burton; Connor Taylor; Josh Bifolchi; Mark Perone and Andrew Maltby are all returning and we are expecting strong leadership from them on and off the ice.
NOJHL: Who are some newcomers you’ve signed and have looked good in camp?
C.B.: Some of them are Jayden Parnell; Tyler Montoya; Stephen Minichiello: Noah and Caleb Minns; Keegan Foster and Peter Cascagnette. Montoya had over 100 points in high school in the U.S. last year. Minicheilo had 53 points in 44 games last season in the NA3HL league while Peter Cascagnette had a solid year in Jr. B with the Waterloo Siskins.
NOJHL: What are you looking to build upon from last season?
C.B.: Our staff is looking for strong play and constancy. We also want to stay on track with continuous effort.
NOJHL: What goals do you have heading into the start of the regular season and beyond?
C.B.: We’re implementing and teach systems as quickly as we can and work on getting everyone on the same page. Our work ethic is expected to be solid everyday, every game and every practice.
NOJHL: What style of play to you want to instill in your players?
C.B.: Our goal is to be hard on the puck and have lots of second efforts. We want to play a 200-foot game and never quit while having physical play.
NOJHL: Any closing comments to wrap things up.
C.B.: We are very excited to get the season going.
