Carter named captain; Hounds fall in exhibition opener

The Soo Greyhounds wasted no time by selecting star centre Jeff Carter as team captain for the upcoming season.

The announcement was made following the Greyhounds 4-1 Ontario Hockey League exhibition loss to the Saginaw Spirit at Memorial Gardens on Monday afternoon.

Entering his third OHL season, Carter has earned the respect of his teammates and Greyhounds head coach Marty Abrams quickly noticed his leadership skills.

"Jeff Carter has proven that he is committed to making our organization better. He is a tremendous player who leads by example and is well respected by his teammates. Jeff's dedication and commitment to success will make other players strive to be better," said Abrams in a release.

Carter was selected 11th overall in the National Hockey League entry draft by the Philadelphia Flyers in June after leading the Hounds with 35 goals and 36 assists for 71 points in 61 games last season. Carter leaves for the Flyers training camp on Wednesday.

In the Greyhound exhibition opener, Saginaw used a quick start and a solid defensive effort to seal the win. While the Greyhounds outshot Saginaw 28-21, the Spirit held the Greyhounds to only a few quality scoring chances.

Jean-Michel Rizk opened the scoring 18 seconds into the game by beating Hounds goaltender Kyle Gajewski with a shot from the right face off circle. Mike Suggs put the Spirit ahead 2-0 after one period with a deflection of Adam Gibson's point shot on the power play.

Overage candidate Ryan MacKay put the Hounds on the board with a power play marker in the second period, as the defenseman stepped in from the blueline and fired a shot over the left shoulder of Saginaw goaltender Eric Pfligler.

Saginaw closed the game scoring in the second period as Rizk and Gibson each scored after both players found themselves alone in the slot and beat Hounds invite goaltender Kevin Lachance.

Tyler Kennedy picked up an assist for the Greyhounds and managed to create a few scoring chances with his puck control and speed. Defenseman Jordan Smith also had a solid game with physical play and several quality offensive rushes.

The game only saw one fight as Greyhound overage hopeful Jeff Doyle tangled with 18-year-old Spirit defenseman Mike Pain.

The Greyhounds will continue their exhibition schedule next weekend with a road contest against the Sudbury Wolves on Friday night before returning home to entertain the Wolves on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.