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Blueline brigade set to lead Greyhounds

'We encourage our D to always join the rush and be that fourth wave of offence. And if they’re up (in the play), be the net-driver and think offence' - Soo Greyhounds Associate Coach Jordan Smith
09-01-18 Greyhounds Celebrate AB OHLImages
Photo courtesy Aaron Bell/OHL Images

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Despite losing three top defencemen, the Soo Greyhounds broke training camp on Friday with eight defencemen and the ability to continue a style of play that has been a successful model in recent years.

Losing Conor Timmins and Noah Carroll, and potentially Rasmus Sandin as well, to graduation, the Greyhounds feel excited about what the blueline can bring for the 2018-19 Ontario Hockey League season.

As the Greyhounds continue to look to play an up-tempo, puck possession style, it all starts on the blueline and the team likes what it has going forward and for the organization, the message to the group is a simple one.

“It really is to be confident,” Greyhounds Associate Coach Jordan Smith, who works with the defencemen. “You want them to make plays and you want them to be comfortable. Our system is such that we rely on them to move pucks to the forwards. It’s more of a possession over position thing. That’s why you see that our D corps is so mobile and good with the puck and that plays into our strength. We encourage our D to always join the rush and be that fourth wave of offence. And if they’re up (in the play), be the net-driver and think offence.

“You have to take care of your back end at the same time,” Smith added. “Quick, early exits are huge because that fuels your rush. That generates the offensive speed through the neutral zone.”

Traditionally a position that was looked at to just prevent goals, Smith spoke of the primary goal defensively is to create quick turnovers and move the puck.

“It’s just not as traditional as what people are accustomed to,” Smith said. “Our goal defensively is to create a turnover as soon as possible and get the puck in the hands of our forwards so we can create offence. From there, it’s up to them (the defencemen). We want them to join and create offence, but they are defencemen.”

Smith went on to credit the mobility of the group as a whole.

“Everybody can skate and handle the puck,” Smith said. “There’s a great skillset on each guy. Even on some of the new hopefuls, you’re seeing a new trend. The scouts are doing a great job of finding guys that fit into our system.

“If we can encompass those tools into our system and let them feel confident to be able to make plays, turnovers are going to happen, but if we can limit them, that’s good, but they have the confidence from the coaches to make plays,” Smith added. “And that translates into good things.”

Among the eight defencemen coming out of camp is rookie Ryan O’Rourke, who earned praise throughout camp from the Greyhounds staff.

“I like his poise,” Smith said. “It’s his first camp and he’s got some jitters but he’s a mature young kid. I like his mobility and I like his puck skills. I like his ability to play nasty. I had the opportunity to watch him play last year and that’s one thing that stuck out to me is that he likes to be that nasty presence back there.”

Following the opening day of scrimmages, O’Rourke caught the eye of Greyhounds management and the coaching staff.

“He didn’t look like a 16-year-old out there,” Raftis said. “He really took command when he was making plays and was really confident.”

“His play without the puck is what really stood out,” Greyhounds Coach John Dean said. “He’s not shy to stand up and he’s not shy to stand up early. Some young kids are scared and will have a big gap early as a defenceman. He showed a lot of confidence with really tight gaps and stepping up. He’s one of those guys that when the puck is on his stick, you’re pretty sure something is going to happen.”

O’Rourke spent some time during camp paired with overage defenceman Jordan Sambrook, something that Smith said is a valuable opportunity for the youngster.

“It’s so valuable,” Smith said. “And for a young guy coming in, to look over and see a four- or five-year guy, whether it’s Sambrook or Mac Hollowell, they’re leaders on this team that we’re going to need to take young guys under their wing. It’s an exciting time.”

Raftis said a player like Sambrook, who is entering his fourth season in the league, can help the young players “feel more comfortable.”

“He can be a calming influence for a player like Ryan,” Raftis said. “It loosens up the young guys a little bit more

Smith spoke of the ability and willingness of the veterans like Sambrook and Hollowell to help the young defencemen during camp and work with them.

“Traditionally, it’s your goaltender, your defence and your centres (that are key) and we like where we’re at in all three,” Smith said. “Having two overage defencemen, Sambrook’s been to to the OHL final twice and Mac’s been deep in the playoffs twice, you can’t put a price tag on that. Our young guys will lean on them and we’ve seen some of the veteran guys take some of the younger guys under their wings.”

Following a team-building event this weekend, the Greyhounds are set to get back on the ice for practice on Monday in preparation for exhibition action. The team has a pair of exhibition games scheduled, a home-and-home series with the Sudbury Wolves. The team will face the Wolves in Sudbury on Sept. 13 before hosting the Wolves on Sept. 16 at the GFL Memorial Gardens.


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Brad Coccimiglio

About the Author: Brad Coccimiglio

A graduate of Loyalist College’s Sports Journalism program, Brad Coccimiglio’s work has appeared in The Hockey News as well as online at FoxSports.com in addition to regular freelance work with SooToday before joining the team full time.
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