OHL North Bay Battalion

Former foes find common cause

Published on January 9, 2009 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
North Bay Battalion News Release


BRAMPTON, Ont. - Thomas McCollum has seen enough of Cody Hodgson bearing down on him this season.

Goaltender McCollum, whom the Brampton Battalion acquired Friday from the Guelph Storm, was victimized by Hodgson four times in two Ontario Hockey League games between the teams. McCollum also was a member of the United States team that lost 7-4 to Hodgson's Canadian squad at the 2009 World Junior Championship.

"Cody's a great player," McCollum said after joining his new teammates. "I'm happy to be playing with him rather than against him. Being traded is a new experience for me and something I didn't really expect. But I'm excited to be here and I'm looking forward to getting started."

Hodgson scored three goals against McCollum, including the overtime winner, in a 5-4 victory at home Nov. 2 and netted the tying goal in the final minute of the third period of a 3-2 shootout win Nov. 14 at Guelph.

"He's one of the top goalies in our league, and it's great to have him here," said Hodgson. "He's big, comes out and challenges well and he can intimidate a lot of guys in the league because of his size. He gives you very little net to shoot at."

Stan Butler, Battalion director of hockey operations and head coach, gave up goaltender Brandon Foote, left winger Josh Shalla and two second-round OHL Priority Selection picks for McCollum, who turned 19 on Dec. 7.

"Our goaltending has been good but not great, and we didn't think we could turn down a player of his stature," said Butler. "We need a guy who can compete with the best goalies in the Eastern Conference."

Said McCollum: "I'll be putting out my best effort every night. When we played the Battalion this season, I noticed that there aren't any really big-name defencemen here, but they look like a steady group and I'm looking forward to playing behind them."

McCollum was among five players and one OHL Priority Selection pick that the Battalion acquired in five deals before the trade deadline of noon Friday. The Troops gave up four roster players, the OHL rights to right winger John Hughes and six picks.

Overage defenceman Josh Day and right winger Andrew Merrett, who arrived in separate trades Wednesday with the Niagara IceDogs, played in a 6-2 win Thursday night over the visiting Sudbury Wolves. Overage left winger Matthew Kang was secured Thursday from the Kingston Frontenacs, while right winger Anthony Peluso was acquired Friday from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

McCollum, Kang and Peluso figure to see their first action with the Troops against the host Barrie Colts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the opener of a home-and-home series. Barrie visits the Battalion at 2 p.m. Sunday.

"Every season at this time we look at ways to improve our team, and sometimes you can do that and sometimes you can't," said Butler. "But we felt with guys like Hodgson, Matt Duchene and Evgeny Grachev that we needed to make as many moves as possible to give our guys the best chance to win."

Said Hodgson: "It'll be great to play with all these new guys. Hopefully, we can mesh and create a great team here. I think we have the guys in place now to make a great run here."

Kang has 12 goals and 20 assists for 32 points in 40 games this season.

"This looks like a great team, and I'm happy to be a part of it," he said. "I work hard every night and I'll be looking to score goals and make plays. I'll do whatever it takes to win."

Hodgson, who said he looks forward to having Kang on his left flank, noted: "He has great skills and he can really stickhandle. It'll be fun to play with him."

Butler said the Battalion liked Peluso heading into the 2005 OHL Priority Selection, in which the Erie Otters made him the 10th overall pick. The six-foot-four, 235-pound Peluso has nine goals and six assists for 15 points in 36 games this season.

"Peluso has skills. He's a big, strong guy who will bring a physical presence here, and he's scored some goals this season, too."

Fans in the Brampton area can see the game at Barrie live on Rogers Cable 10.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2009


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