March 1st vs Kitchener Rangers: Game Day Playbook

Starting The John Tavares Foundation was something we talked about for a long time, and is something I’m incredibly proud of. The foundation is centered on coming together to ensure the next generation has access to healthy foods, an understanding of the benefits of movement and increased availability of mental health resources. We hope to positively impact as many children and communities as possible to create a brighter future for everyone.

johntavaresfoundation.org

Giving back has always been important to my family and me.

It’s that time of year again! I’m excited once again to welcome everyone back for another season of Generals Hockey.

Each year, my goal is to uphold the legacy this organization has built throughout its long history. As always, we want to add another OHL and Memorial Cup title to our already league best totals, for not only the organization, but for you the fans.

On behalf of our entire Generals family, I want to thank our sponsors, billets, new and returning season ticket holders, and each and every one of our loyal fans for their neverending support.

ROCCO TULLIO PRESIDENT

I want to take this opportunity to welcome all of you to the 2022-23 season of the Oshawa Generals and the Ontario Hockey League. This welcome back certainly goes to our legion of loyal supporters but also welcome back to the players, players families, billets and staff. It should also be noted that we cant wait to return to a normal schedule where we all get to see the stars of tomorrow from across the whole OHL.

Every season takes on its own theme and feel. Every season takes on a life of its own. This year’s season will be the most competitive we have had in a few years. One factor is that we will again be returning to a full OHL schedule and with the Eastern Conference shaping up to be the most competitive it has been in years, every point and game will be a must for top rated performances. The addition of new Head Coach, Derek Laxdal and his winning pedigree is exactly what the doctor ordered, and the timing couldn’t be better. Along with new Associate Coach, Steve O’Rourke and Mike Hedden returning for his second season, this staff could go up against any in the CHL. You will continue to see a long line of future Generals stars on the ice again this season and I cant thank the scouts enough for all the hard work they do. The returning players have positioned us to be fighting for hardware again soon and the new players will have to get on board quickly. That being said, we are on a collision course with a couple of other teams in the Eastern Conference. If we have any desire to get another Bobby Orr trophy and then battle for the J. Ross Robertson trophy, business will need to be taken care of each and every night. Nothing is given and everything will be earned.

Our past is certainly something that everyone in our region, city and organization are very proud of. During this season our entire focus right now is on the present. We want to have the best team possible to challenge for silverware again.

Lets get behind the team from the start and cheer them onto victory. Go Gens Go!!!!!!

ROGER HUNT VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER

HOCKEY OPERATIONS

ROGER HUNT VICE PRESIDENT/GM

MIKE KELLY DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS

DEREK LAXDAL HEAD COACH & ASSISTANT GM

STEVE O’ROURKE ASSOCIATE COACH

MIKE HEDDEN ASSISTANT COACH

AUSTIN WASHKURAK VIDEO COACH

MIKE PARSON GOALTENDING COACH

DAN NOBLE DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE

NICK QUINN SKILLS COACH (PEP)

ANTHONY CORNACCHIA SKILLS COACH

TRACY TUTTON SKATING COACH

ASHLEA JONES POWER SKATING COACH

TRAINING AND MEDICAL STAFF

BRYAN BOYES

HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER & EQUIPMENT MANAGER

SHAWN WINTERS HEAD ATHLETIC THERAPIST

KEVIN HAYES ASSISTANT EQUIPMENT MANAGER

THOM RENNIE ASSISTANT EQUIPMENT MANAGER

MIKE HUGHES ASSISTANT EQUIPMENT MANAGER

ERIC VIENA

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

ANDREW LATIN ASSISTANT TRAINER

SCOUTING STAFF

DAN CURRIE DIRECTOR OF SCOUTING/PLAYER PERSONNEL

JOE BELESKEY NORTHERN ONTARIO/ETA SCOUT

MIKE CRAIG

OTTAWA ONTARIO SCOUT/DIRECTOR OF U-18

MADDUX RYCHEL

GTA SCOUT

DANNY O’BRIEN U.S SCOUT

SEAN PATRICK RYAN ALLIANCE SCOUT

ANTHONY HERRINGTON

SCTA/ALLIANCE SCOUT/HEAD OF ANALYTICS

JOE WASHKURAK

ADVANCED SCOUT/HEAD OF OJHL SCOUTING

TONY CIAMPA

WESTERN ONTARIO SCOUT

KEVIN BLOCH

MID-WESTERN SCOUT/PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

ADDITIONAL STAFF

KEITH LINDLEY POLICE LIASON OFFICER

ED DOWNEY POLICE LIASON OFFICER

GARY MINACS

TEAM TRAVEL COORDINATOR

JACK HANNAH

TEAM CHAPLAIN

RYAN JOHNSTON

MAXWELL HEIGHTS SECONDARY SCHOOL GUIDANCE TEAM

TOM BUCHANAN

ACADEMIC ADVISOR

CLUB PHYSICIANS

DR. MARTIN

TEAM ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

DR. PRESVELOS

TEAM PHYSICIAN

DR. ZAKAROW

TEAM DENTIST

DR. COULBY

TEAM DOCTOR

DR. ARMSTRONG

TEAM CHIROPRACTOR

OFFICE OPERATIONS

ROCCO TULLIO PRESIDENT & GOVERNOR

JOHN MCMAHON ALTERNATE GOVERNOR ANDY LEE

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

JASON HICKMAN DIRECTOR, TICKET SALES & SERVICES

ANDREW RICHARD ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE

MATT BEACHIN DIRECTOR, CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

BRIAN PARK MANAGER, SPONSORSHIP SALES

BRANDON WRIGHT MANAGER, SOCIAL MEDIA, GAME DAY, MEDIA RELATIONS

ALEXANDRIA COTTERILL MULTIMEDIA DESIGN COORDINATOR

CHRISTIAN GONTIER MANAGERS OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS & MERCHANDISING

OFF-ICE OFFICIALS

NEIL LUXTON CREW CHIEF & ONLINE SCORER

GARY MINACS OFFICIAL SCORER

MIKE CHAMPION ALTERNATE SCORER

BARRY WOOTTEN SCOREKEEPER

BILL FERGUSON TIMEKEEPER

WAYNE WHITE PENALTY TIMEKEEPER

KEVIN TINK ONLINE SCORER

DEREK LAMONT ONLINE SCORER

DAN HARDING ONLINE SCORER

TIM SKAM

VIDEO REPLAY SUPPORT

SCOTT YEO ALTERNATE VIDEO REVIEW

PAUL WADE ALTERNATE TIMEKEEPER

GAME DAY STAFF

TERRY JOHNSTON

ANNOUNCER

NICOLE GRELLA IN-ARENA HOST

IAN GOODALL

TEAM PHOTOGRAPHER

CATHY COXHEAD

NHL MEDIA ROOM HOST

COLLEEN CORNER

NHL MEDIA ROOM HOST

JAMIE CARWELL

VIDEOBOARD DIRECTOR

NOEL PITNEY

REPLAY TECHNICIAN

SAM MACDONALD GRAPHIC TECHNICIAN

EJ ENTERTAINMENT

MUSIC COORDINATOR

TRISH KIDD IN-HOUSE CAMERA

DALLAS EGGLETON IN-HOUSE CAMERA

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Nina Romano Oshawa

Gayle Andrews Whitby

Penny Masters Oshawa

Jon Humphrey Whitby

Tammy Lee Hanlon Oshawa & Peterborough

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Greg Lewis Newcastle & Courtice

Dean Yorke Oshawa

Mike Trevett Bowmanville

Karen Low Oshawa

Laura Carey Whitby

Tammy Segriff Oshawa

Carolyn Maugeri Ajax

Lisa Pearson Oshawa

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MARCH 1ST | 7:05

PRESENTED BY:

TRIBUTE COMMUNITIES CENTRE VS.

THE GAME DAY GAZETTE

A familiar face will make his lone trip to the Tribute Communities Centre this season, as Lleyton Moore and his Kitchener Rangers come to town for another rare Wednesday night contest in Oshawa.

The Generals and Rangers are both currently sitting 8th in their respective conference, but find themselves in a tight race to the finish line. The Rangers are in pretty good shape, sitting six points up on the 9th place Greyhounds for the final playoff spot, and only trail the Flint Firebirds for 7th. In the East, Oshawa has a less-than-comfortable three-point cushion over the Kingston Frontenacs for the last playoff spot. The Gens are, however, within just four points of 6th in the conference.

With every single point more important than the last, these two teams are sure to put it all on the line while they continue to fight for their postseason lives. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05.

Last Meeting:

The Generals and Rangers have met just once before this year, back on January 13th at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, as a feature for CHL on TSN. The visitors went into The Aud following the trade deadline and had one of their most complete games of the season, taking down the home side 5-2. Carter Bickle had one of the best games of his career stopping 32/34 shots faced, with top NHL draft prospect Calum Ritchie scoring twice and adding an assist in the win.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

DYLAN ROOBROECK

The 6’7, 200+ lb forward has really started to come into his size and physicality lately, without sacrificing any of his natural scoring abilities. Flexing his offensive prowess, partnered with throwing around his body in all three zones of the ice has been terrifying to the opponents lately. On Sunday, Roobroeck dropped the gloves in a tilt that seemed to spark his team for the rest of the game, then he followed it up with OT winner.

JOSEPH SERPA LLEYTON MOORE

The last time Joseph Serpa played his former team, he played a strong game in front of his former crowd, but was ultimately held off the scoresheet. This time, further removed from the trade, and totally settled in with the Generals, a game against the team that traded him away could be the spark for Serpa’s offense. There’s not a time better than the stretch before the playoffs to get hot.

The Generals former captain will be making his only trip to Oshawa as a visitor this season, one that will surely garner applause from the #GensNation faithful. Since arriving in Kitchener, Moore has scored three goals and added 15 assists for the underperforming Rangers squad. With Mike McKenzie back behind the bench, things are starting to click for the team from Kitchener, and Generals fans might hope it takes one more game before they’re playing to their full potential.

TONIGHT’S LINE UP

WEDNESDAY, MAR 1ST. 2023

ROSTERS

OSHAWA GENERALS (24-26-1-5)

Carter Bickle

Jacob Oster

Name

Thomas Stewart

Luca D'Amato

David Bedkowski

Ty Petrou

Matthew Buckley

Ryan O'Dell

Joseph Serpa

Luke Torrance

Luca Marrelli

Nikita Parfenyuk

Calum Ritchie

Kimo Gruber

Dylan Roobroeck

Lucas Rodriguez

Tyler Graham

Cameron Butler

Beckett Sennecke

Ryan Gagnier Ethan Toms

Ryder McIntyre

Ben Danford

Stuart Rolofs

KITCHENER RANGERS (25-26-4-0)

Jackson Parsons

Marco Costantini

Marcus Vandenberg

Hunter Brzustewicz

Matthew Andonovski

Tomáš Hamara

Adrian Misaljevic

Lleyton Moore

Francesco Arcuri

Carson Rehkopf

Danny Zhilkin

Kyle Morey

Roman Schmidt

Antonino Pugliese

Simon Motew

Filip Mešár

Reid Valade

Trent Swick

Mitchell Martin

Francesco Pinelli

Ty Hollett

Justin Bottineau

Matthew Sop

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LAST GAME RECAP

The Oshawa Generals proved once again that the Tribute Communities Centre isn’t the friendliest of confines on a Sunday night.

For the first time since October 14th, the Ottawa 67’s were in town and they were looking to clinch the East Division title with a win. The home side Generals came out flying, with hopes they wouldn’t be the last laugh.

Less than five minutes into the game, Ryan Gagnier was the beneficiary of some untimely decisions by 67’s goaltender Max Donoso. Donoso attempted to play the puck behind his net, but after some pressure from the Generals, he ultimately wasn’t able to settle the puck down. Scooped into the front of the net, Gagnier scored his 27th of the season to give Oshawa the 1-0 lead.

Two minutes later, sophomore forward Matthew Buckley stole the puck in the neutral zone while on the penalty kill, and out-muscled FOUR Ottawa 67’s before breaking apart for the breakaway chance. Buckley perfectly placed his shot, scoring shorthanded to give Oshawa the two-goal lead.

Carter Bickle earned the start for Oshawa, stopping all nine shots he faced in the first 20 minutes.

It was the 67’s getting a hot start in the middle frame, thanks to Pavel Mintyukov’s point shot getting tipped home by Tyler Boucher. Midway through the middle frame, the 67’s would score a shorthanded goal of their own after a miscue from Cameron Butler brought the puck back into his own zone, right onto the stick of Cam Tolnai.

Oshawa wouldn’t go away though, scoring two more before the period ended, regaining their two-goal lead. First, it was Buckley shorthanded for the second time, carrying the puck over the 67’s blueline and just throwing it on the net. His second shorthanded goal of the game was just his fifth goal of the season and chased 67’s starter Donoso from the crease. Calum Ritchie would follow it up with a power play goal five minutes later, for his 24th of the season.

Like much of the game, the next pair of goals were scored by the same team once again, the Ottawa 67’s. Less than two minutes into the third period, Montreal Canadiens prospect Vinzen Rohrer would bring the 67’s within one goal. Dangerous territory if you’re the Generals. For almost the entire period, Oshawa was able to hold down the fort and keep Ottawa away from too many dangerous chances.

With just 52 seconds left in the game, it was what felt like heartbreak when Logan Morrison extended his goal-scoring streak to eight with the tying goal, forcing the game to overtime.

In overtime, Oshawa held much of the possession until a defensive breakdown led to a big chance for the 67’s down low. Carter Bickle came up huge, extending his pads out as far as they could go to keep it from crossing the line. On Oshawa’s next chance, it was the dagger. Calum Ritchie found some open space up the wing and carried the puck all the way into Ottawa’s zone, before toe-dragging around a defenceman. When running out of space, Ritchie threw a blind, backhand pass over to Dylan Roobroeck who buried it into an empty cage for the game-winner.

Carter Bickle stopped 41/45 for the victory, while Matthew Buckley’s two shorthanded goals were a highlight.

SEVENTH HEAVEN?

A SEASON-LONG ROAD TRIP

They say seven is a lucky number. Some believe seven is the number that represents perfection and completion.

Even the Generals can relate to the number seven. From 1938 to 1944, the Generals won seven straight OHL championships. While on the topic of winning, the Generals have also won seven George Richardson Memorial Trophies in their history, from 1938-1940, 1942-1944, and again in 1966. More recently, Oshawa has finished seven of their last nine seasons with a winning record.

On the other side of things, the Generals have lost seven Memorial Cup tournaments – to go along with their five wins, don’t forget.

This season specifically, the number seven represents the length of their longest road trip of the year, seven games. Seven different opponents waited for the Generals bus to pull into their arenas for OHL hockey.

While the Gens played seven games on the road, we want you to play one game while reading the rest of this story. With stops in North Bay, Sudbury, Hamilton, Kitchener, Erie, Peterborough and Kingston, how many kilometers do you think were racked up over the last three weeks? We’ll reveal it at the end, but just think about it for now.

Starting in North Bay, the Generals arrived at the North Bay Memorial Gardens hot off the heels of a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory over the Mississauga Steelheads at home. The fun ended abruptly upon arrival in North Bay. The central division leaders made quick work of the Gens, scoring, you guessed it, seven goals.

While the Generals did come hot out of the gate going up 2-0 midway through the first, North Bay answered with three of their own. By the end of the second period, North Bay was off the races up 5-3.

Not the best start to a long road trip.

The very next night, Oshawa continued north to pay a visit to the Sudbury Wolves, a team much closer to them in the standings. On December 18th the two teams met for the first time of the season. If you catch the theme here, you’d know where we’re going with this. Sudbury won that game too, 7-1. In Sudbury now, the tough times continued for Oshawa, dropping their second straight game to the Wolves, this time by a score of 6-4. Sudbury jumped to a 3-0 lead and never looked back. Both Stuart Rolofs and rookie Beckett Sennecke were bright spots for the Generals, both having multi-point evenings.

Heading south, the Generals were able to find the win column once again, taking down the new look Hamilton Bulldogs 3-2. Hamilton, who like the Generals are in a retooling period, had just parted way with Avery Hayes, Gavin White, and Logan Morrison at the trade deadline. Like so many times this season, it was the Generals jumping out to a 2-0 lead early in the game, except this time they held on. It was Patrick Leaver’s final game as an Oshawa General before being traded to the Guelph Storm. In the game he stopped 26/28 shots.

With some momentum on their side, Oshawa’s next stop was Kitchener, Ont., to take on the shockingly underperforming Kitchener Rangers. Despite the fact the Rangers have a roster with six NHL draftees, they find themselves stuck at 9th in the Western Conference standings. Both teams in the spotlight of a TSN broadcast were ready to impress the nation, but it was Oshawa with more screen time. Projected first round NHL draft pick Calum Ritchie stole the show with two goals and assist, leading Oshawa to a 5-2 victory. Carter Bickle stopped 32/34 for the win.

Winners of back-to-back games, Oshawa crossed the southern border into Erie and quickly took their two points back to the border. With the 4-1 victory over Erie, it was Oshawa’s third win in a row and kept them in the tight race for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Overage forward Ryan Gagnier scored two in the game, his 15th and 16th of his season. Newest Generals Jacob Oster made his debut with a 26 save performance.

Back in Canada, the second last game of the trip was the most highly anticipated, for no other reason than a classic Gens vs Petes matchup. Both teams are moving in very different directions, with Peterborough buying at the deadline and sitting at 4th in the Eastern Conference. Despite the difference in the standings, Oshawa once again opened the scoring. Ryan Gagnier scored a shorthanded goal to give Oshawa the 1-0 lead.

It was his seventh point in his last seven periods of play.

The rest of the game was a back and forth affair, with both goaltenders standing tall. It wasn’t until the remaining 51 seconds of the game that either side would take the lead for good. Brennan Othmann scored his second of the game to give Peterborough the 3-2 victory.

The final game of the trip was on January 20th in Kingston, when the Generals made their first visit of the season to the Leon’s Centre. A win would give them a winning record on the trip, a loss would put them at 3-4.

Oshawa trailed after the first period, 1-0, a period called sloppy for both sides by Calum Ritchie. Neither side could control the puck for much of the period, and very little offense came of it. One positive for the Generals came early in the second period when their league-best power play clicked once again to tie the game.

Back and forth scoring left the game tied 2-2 with less than six minutes to go in the game, and for the second night in a row, Oshawa would allow a late goal that ended up being the deciding factor. The 3-2 loss meant the road trip finished with a record of 3-4-0-0, with two straight 3-2 losses to division rivals.

When the bus pulled back into the Tribute Communities Centre late on Friday evening, The team could take a day to rest before their first home game in three weeks. Remember the question we asked you off the top? With seven games, seven different cities, two overnights, and six points, the Generals logged around 2,410 kilometers on their season long road trip.

Maybe some call seven a lucky number, and maybe some call it perfection – but over the last three weeks, the Generals would look at the number seven and just call it junior hockey.

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Up Close With the Home Team

We’ve got the close-ups, replays and in-game analysis you need to get that front-row centre feeling as you cheer on your Oshawa Generals. Watch home and away games on Rogers tvTM , cable 10, HD 510.

Let’s Go Gens!

Photo by: Ian Goodal

THOMAS STEWART LUCA D’AMATO

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE NON-HOCKEY MEMORY? Meeting Willie O’Ree

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? 500$ coin from my Grandma

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?

Tiger - I’ve always loved tigers

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?

Giraffe so I could be tall for once

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOCKEY NICKNAMES? Dmats or Mato

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GAME DAY SUPERSTITIONS? Eat at the same time, nap, then always get Tim Hortons

DAVID BEDKOWSKI

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?

A shark because they are big and can swim fast

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD TEAMMATE?

I take accountability and don’t point fingers

WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION OFF THE ICE? My Grandma

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?

I would be a lion because of its strength and mindset

IF YOU AREN’T AT THE RINK, WHERE ELSE ARE YOU LIKELY TO BE?

In my hot tub or out with friends

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD TEAMMATE?

I’m a fun guy who likes making the boys laugh and I would do anything for any one of them

JORDYN ERTEL

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? First goal

DESCRIBE WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD TEAMMATE. I work hard and i’m competitive

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOCKEY NICKNAMES? Ertzy

MATTHEW BUCKLEY

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE NON-HOCKEY MEMORY? Spending Christmas with family

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOCKEY NICKNAMES? Buck, Bucks, Bucky

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GAME DAY SUPERSTITIONS? Taping my sticks

JOSEPH SERPA

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? My first goal puck

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD TEAMMATE? Someone you can connect and have fun with

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOCKEY NICKNAMES? LT,

MARRELLI

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? Draft jersey

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?

Dog - my favourite animal

IF YOU AREN’T AT THE RINK, WHERE ELSE ARE YOU LIKELY TO BE? In my bed

RITCHIE

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE NON-HOCKEY MEMORY? The birth of my sister

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?

Eagle - they are calm but aggressive with hunting

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD TEAMMATE? Never yell at my teammates

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? Winning the gold medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD TEAMMATE? I’m competitive and dedicated

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOCKEY NICKNAMES? Cal or Ritch

KIMO GRUBER

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE NON-HOCKEY MEMORY? Go to New York and Washington with my family

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? My wooden dice - I always carry it with me

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?

Bear - they are strong and have lots of confidence

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE NON-HOCKEY MEMORY? Winning a championship with Team Ontario lacrosse

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOCKEY NICKNAMES? Grahamer

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GAME DAY SUPERSTITIONS? Wear the same socks in my skates

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE NON-HOCKEY MEMORY? Playing fortnite with Mitch Marner and winning the game

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?

Having a LA Kings jersey signed by the entire 2012, 2013, & 2014 team

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?

Silverback Gorilla - they’re confident and strong

IF YOU AREN’T AT THE RINK, WHERE ELSE ARE YOU LIKELY TO BE? In my room playing video games

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOCKEY NICKNAMES? Ozzy or Oyster

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GAME DAY SUPERSTITIONS? Pre-game Subway

CAMERON BUTLER

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?

Owl - to be able to fly and see everything

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD TEAMMATE?

Leader, competitive, strong work ethic & positive

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOCKEY NICKNAMES? Butsy, Buts

BECKETT SENNECKE

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE NON-HOCKEY MEMORY? Trip to Africa

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOCKEY NICKNAMES? Becks, Senner

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GAME DAY SUPERSTITIONS? Taping my stick the same way every time

RYAN GAGNIER

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE NON-HOCKEY MEMORY? Spending my last summer at my house before moving to the place we are building

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?

Paw print photo of my dog we put down this summer

ON

RYDER MCINTYRE

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD TEAMMATE? Leadership & being someone guys can approach

IF YOU AREN’T AT THE RINK, WHERE ELSE ARE YOU LIKELY TO BE?

Playing golf

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD TEAMMATE? I stay positive and can be a leader

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GAMEDAY SUPERSTITIONS? Same warm-up and pre-game nap at the same time

BEN DANFORD

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? Draft jersey

WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION OFF THE ICE? My dad

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GAMEDAY SUPERSTITIONS? I eat the same kind of protien bar

STUART ROLOFS

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE NON-HOCKEY MEMORY? Going to Mexico with my family

IF YOU AREN’T AT THE RINK, WHERE ELSE ARE YOU LIKELY TO BE?

On the golf course or at home relaxing

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GAMEDAY SUPERSTITIONS? Same pre-game meal and I put my equipment on a specific way

SERPA SPENDING FINAL MONTHS OF OHL CAREER IN OSHAWA

Joseph Serpa first laced up his OHL skates for the Kitchener Rangers in 2018. Serpa was drafted by the Rangers 77th overall, in the 4th round of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection, and made his OHL debut that just a few months later on October 27th against the Oshawa Generals.

It was on February 21st of the same season that he earned his first career point, an assist against the Niagara IceDogs.

The Cambridge, Ont., native broke onto the full time roster the next season, in 2019-2020, appearing in 50

games for the Rangers. On December 18th, 2019, Serpa would score the first goal of his OHL career against the Owen Sound Attack. It was the first of five goals in his first full season.

Following the cancelled 2020-2021 season, a 19-yearold Serpa took the Rangers offense by storm, winning the attention of not only his coaches, but the fans as well.

In 62 games in 2021-2022, Serpa scored a new career high of 20 goals and 49 assists for 69 points in the regular season. With the best season of his career

behind him, Serpa entered the playoffs and oneupped himself, scoring another six goals and nine assists in just 12 games. Serpa finished second in Rangers scoring that season, behind only Mike Petizian’s 70 points. Serpa played six fewer games than his teammate.

Caught on a roster trying to build a championship team, while also staying young enough to not shoot themselves in the foot, Serpa was amongst those traded away from the Rangers in the 20222023 season. In his first 25 games with the Rangers, Serpa had already scored half his goal totals from a season before.

On December 13th, Serpa was acquired by the Oshawa Generals, along with three draft choices, while Lleyton Moore went the other way to the Rangers.

The 2002 forward took a few games to settle into the new systems with new teammates, but has begun to find ways onto the scoresheet as an Oshawa General. In 13 games with his new team so far, Serpa has scored three goals and added two assists for five points, including his thrilling overtime winner against the Mississauga Steelheads on January 3rd.

After Boston Bruins prospect and then team leader in points Brett Harrison was traded, it was clear Serpa was brought in as an overage forward to not only lead in the dressing room, but add that extra oomph of offense that may have been missing without Harrison in the lineup.

Serpa may only be a Generals for the next two months, but Gens fans should be excited with what he brings to the organization both on and off the ice for the rest of the 2022-2023 season.

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OSTER’S CAREER TURNS TO OSHAWA

Goaltending in the OHL is a hot commodity – great goaltending is like finding a diamond in the rough. The Oshawa Generals think they’ve found that great goaltender in Jacob Oster.

Drafted by the Guelph Storm 92nd overall in the 5th round of the 2020 OHL Priority selection, Oster took his rookie year by storm. Pun intended.

In 34 games during the 2021-2022 season, Oster played to a record of 16-8-3-1 and had an impressive goals against average of just 2.93 and a save percentage of 0.892. Alongside goaltending partner Owen Bennett, the Storm had the lowest goals against total in the Western Conference with just 228.

Hist first career win actually took place in his debut to the OHL, on October 13th, 2021 against the Owen Sound Attack.

This season, the Ottawa, Ont. native found himself struggling a bit with the Storm. His play from just a season ago wasn’t lost, but his ability to remain consistent just wasn’t there. In 26 games with the Storm, Oster had a 9-12-2-0 record in Guelph, with an inflated goals against average of 4.63.

In Oshawa, the same scenario was taking place with former number one Patrick Leaver. Impressive numbers from a season ago just weren’t there, and it was clear both goalies needed a new environment to find their way again.

On January 9th, Oshawa and Guelph flipped goaltenders and Jacob Oster became an Oshawa General.

It took only one game for Oster to turn in the best performance of the 2022-2023 season. In his first appearance as a General, Oster stopped 26/27 shots against the Erie Otters on Saturday, January 14th, giving him his first win as a Gen and 10th on the season.

A week later in Peterborough, Oster turned in yet another impressive performance, turning away 35/38 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Petes.

With a playoff push on the agenda, and a year to build for the future on the horizon, Oster is making a case that he should be considered the goalie to get Oshawa where they want to be. If his early two-game preview of a 2.02 goals against average and stunning 0.938 save percentage is any indication of what he’s capable of, he has a pretty good case.

THE OSHAWA GENERALS HOCKEY CLUB, PRESENTED BY OSHAWA POWER AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

Arnts, Blue Bird Storage, Canadian Tire, Coca-Cola, Desjardins, Dodd and Soutor, Giant Creative, Oshawa Power, Pizza Pizza, Planet Fitness, Professional Dry Cleaners, Rodman’s Heating & Air Conditioning and Staffing Connections have teamed up for the Adopt-A-School program!

This program gives local businesses the chance to give back to the community by purchasing Generals season tickets and donating them to elementary schools throughout Durham Region. The tickets are intended to reward students that excel in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

MATT BEACHIN

Call 905-433-0900 Ext. 2233 or Email mbeachin@oshawagenerals.com

2022 DRAFT PROFILES

HOME OPENER

SEPTEMBER 30

OHL CHAMPS

OCTOBER 28

MICHAEL MISA

NOVEMBER 6

TEDDY BEAR TOSS

DECEMBER 11

PRIDE NIGHT

JANUARY 1

ST.PATRICK’S DAY

FEBRUARY 24

MARCH 17

“RIVALRY RING-IN”