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Flint Firebirds

Firebirds OHL Season Preview

September 18, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Committed to a process of development, the Firebirds embark on 2016-17 with the long-term vision of cultivating a winning tradition in Flint.

After an eventful first season in new surroundings behind them, the Flint Firebirds have set their sights on the future.

With a new general manager at the helm, a new coaching staff in place and a number of promising young prospects added to the depth chart over the offseason, there's a renewed sense of excitement in Flint as the 2016-17 season draws nearer.

"There have been a lot of tremendous positives throughout the pre-season," said new Firebirds general manager George Burnett, a 20-year OHL coaching veteran and winner of over 600 games. "We've received commitments from seven first-year players and have had strong contributions from new additions in Everett Clark and Jalen Smereck. Our coaching staff put together a great training camp and the players have shown us a lot in a short time."

After finishing at the bottom of the Western Conference at a mark of 20-42-4-2, the Firebirds are turning the page and starting fresh, excited about an incoming rookie class led by 2016 fifth overall pick Ty Dellandrea of the Central Ontario Wolves Minor Midgets.

"Joe (Stefan) and Dave (McParlan) made a great selection with Ty," said Burnett. "He's a young man that is coming off a very strong Under-17 camp with Hockey Canada in Calgary. The early stages of this season will be a process and transitional period for young guys like Dellandrea, Hunter Holmes, Dennis Busby and Ryan Littlejohn as they get acclimated to the OHL pace. We're excited about what's in store and see all of those guys as willing to put in the work to become the best they can be and be a central part of our future."

While the Firebirds are eager to begin developing young talent throughout the lineup, they're hoping a number of veteran forwards can step in to fill the void left by Montreal Canadiens prospect Will Bitten, the club's leading scorer from last season who didn't report to training camp.

"The focus here has been on moving forward," said Burnett of the situation. "We can't change the past, but we can take care of how things are moving forward. Will and his family made a choice. He's a very talented player and we're missing him from our lineup."

Newly acquired overager Everett Clark joins 25-goal scorer Ryan Moore, Dallas Stars prospect Nicholas Caamano, big winger Luke Kirwan and 19-year-old centreman Cullen Mercer in steering the offence by committee while 18-year-olds Dane Johnstone and Jacob Collins could chip in as well.

Defensively, the Firebirds will count on overage veterans Alex Peters and Mathieu Henderson for big minutes while offseason addition Jalen Smereck will be a fixture as well.

"All of those guys offer different skills and strengths," said Burnett of the veteran trio. "They'll see lots of ice and will be relied upon to provide us with stability."

The Firebirds also feature returning defenders in 19-year-old Alex Di Carlo and sophomores Samuel Duchesne and Hakon Nilsen. Big 6-foot-6 eighth overall CHL Import Draft selection Michal Steinocher joins the team from the Czech Republic.

Perhaps the biggest area of inexperience in Flint comes in the crease as Matthew Menna and 19-year-old rookie Garrett Forrest are slated to begin the season in goal.

Menna, who played in 16 games last season, is likely to see regular action early on as Forrest recovers from an injury that slowed him through training camp.

"Clearly we lack experience in the crease," admitted Burnett. "Menna had an excellent pre-season and was outstanding in three of the four games he played. We've got two hungry guys that are anxious to prove that they're capable OHL goaltenders here and we're fortunate to have a very good coach in Stan Matwijiw to work alongside them."

While the Firebirds are sure to face their challenges this season, Burnett is confident that head coach Ryan Oulahen and assistants Eric Wellwood and Scott MacDonald are the right men for the job.

An OHL graduate and former captain of the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins, Oulahen spent the past six seasons as an assistant under Stan Butler with the North Bay Battalion while Wellwood was a Mastercard Memorial Cup champion as an assistant with the Oshawa Generals in 2015.

"Don't be misled by their youth," he said. "Ryan and Eric both bring a great deal of experience from winning programs and Scott has done a tremendous job working with video and instructing players dating back to his time with the Plymouth Whalers. I can assure you these guys won't be outworked and I'm really excited to have the opportunity to support them in any way I can."

Most importantly, the Firebirds remain committed to the plan they've set in place, regardless of results early on this season.

"This coaching staff is very process-oriented," Burnett added. "They won't be swayed by a disappointing night or a tough weekend. We're going to stay strong together as a group and see this through."

Though a great deal of learning and development lies ahead, the Firebirds will be hard at work, aiming to get a little bit better each and every day this season.

2015-16 Record: 20-42-4-2 (5th West Division) Head Coach: Ryan Oulahen (1st season) Key additions: Everett Clark, Jalen Smereck, Ty Dellandrea, Dennis Busby, Hunter Holmes, Ryan Littlejohn, Michal Steinocher, Jack Phibbs, Jake Durham, Garrett Forrest Notable graduates: Zack Pittman, Connor Sills, Francesco Vilardi, Stephan Seeger Leading scorer: Ryan Moore* (68 GP, 25-23--48) Leading scorer (defencemen): Mathieu Henderson* (68 GP, 10-26--36) Leading scorer (rookie): Dane Johnstone (56 GP, 7-8--15) Leading goaltender: Matthew Menna (16 GP, 1-6-0-0, 4.72 GAA, .862 SV%) Fast Fact: The Firebirds feature five players attending NHL training camps this month, including Caamano (DAL), Clark (STL), Kirwan (DET), Peters (CAR) and Smereck (ARI). #OHLOpeningWeek schedule: Wed. Sept. 21 vs. SAG (7:00pm), Fri. Sept. 23 at KIT (7:30pm), Sat. Sept. 24 vs. OS (7:00pm)

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