December 9th vs Soo Greyhounds: Game Day Playbook

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

PAUL GIBSON 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

BILL FERGUSON TIMEKEEPER

WAYNE WHITE PENALTY TIMEKEEPER

KEVIN TINK ONLINE SCORER

DEREK LAMONT ONLINE SCORER

TIM SKAM

VIDEO REPLAY SUPPORT

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

PAUL CARTMILL GRAPHIC TECHNICIAN

EJ ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC COORDINATOR

TRISH KIDD IN-HOUSE CAMERA

DALLAS EGGLETON IN-HOUSE CAMERA

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY VIDEOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY

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Tom Morgan Courtice

Nina Romano Oshawa

Gayle Andrews Whitby

Penny Masters Oshawa

Jon Humphrey Whitby

Tammy Lee Hanlon Oshawa & Peterborough

Stephanie Gordon Whitby

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

THE GAME DAY GAZETTE

Friday’s game is brought to you by Halenda’s Meats and will feature a number of prize giveaways for fans, as well as an opportunity to give back and support the Boys and Girls Club of Durham Region.

Both teams enter the game amongst similar spots in the OHL standings, including a recent turn of the tide for their teams. The Greyhounds are currently 8th in the OHL’s western conference, with a record of 8-10-4-4. Led by 2004-born Bryce McConnell-Barker, the Greyhounds have recently announced their commitment to place a bid for the 2024 Memorial Cup tournament.

As mentioned, the Gens are playing seemingly their best hockey of the season, currently owners of a three-game win streak. Recently knocking off the west division leading Knights, rival Bulldogs, and fiery Sting, Oshawa’s offense has been clicking.

Have the Gens finally turned around their fates after a slow start to the year? The Gens can push the streak to four with a win over the Greyhounds, puck drop is scheduled for 7:35.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

BRETT HARRISON

Despite beginning the season on the sideline with a lower body injury, Brett Harrison has begun playing to his potential once again. It’s no surprise why the Bruins took the forward in the 3rd round of the 2021 draft, as in just 20 games this season, the Dorchester native has scored 15 goals and added seven assists for 22 points, over a point per game pace. With the offense finally coming to life for the Gens, its clearly gone in tandem with Harrison’s output.

RYAN GAGNIER

Often looked at as the depth scoring during his Generals’ career, Ryan Gagnier currently sits atop the entire roster in points, with 24 in 25 games. Gagnier has been instrumental in the Gens putting the puck in the net, scoring eight goals and 16 assists. He scored a career high four points in the Generals 5-3 win.

BRYCE MCCONNELL-BARKER

The Greyhounds captain has been leading the Northern Ontario team both on and off the ice this season. In 26 games this season, he’s scored both 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points, leading all Greyhounds. In 68 games with the Soo last season, McConnell-Barker scored 49 points as a rookie. The London, Ont., native is currently on a four game point streak and has 11 points in his last seven games, only being held off the scoresheet once.

The Generals will put their season high three-game win streak on the line when the Soo Greyhounds make their only visit to Oshawa – their first visit since February 14th, 2020.

LAST GAME RECAP

The Oshawa Generals four game road trip came to a close with a rare Tuesday night game for Oshawa, visiting the friendly confines of the Budweiser Gardens. Both teams entered the game on a high, with the Gens on a short two-game win streak and the Knights riding an eightgame win streak.

Coming into the game as total underdogs, it was easy to think London would have their way with the Generals, and in the beginning, they certainly did. Jumping out to a 2-0 lead, it looked like London was going to coast to victory – until Brett Harrison turned it up a notch.

Just 59 seconds after OA forward Ryan Gagnier got the Generals on the board, Bruins prospect Brett Harrison tied the game at two a side midway through the second period.

To open the third and final frame, London took their lead back after a Knights defenceman scored a coast-to-coast goal to make it a 3-2 game.

The Generals were able to respond quickly once again, when 55 seconds later Harrison scored his second of the game on the power play.

After Oshawa’s third goal of the game, they didn’t look back. Returning after a five-week battle with mono, Jordyn Ertel scored the eventual game winning goal from the slot – just his second of the season.

With London pressing, and the Gens only up by a goal, GensNation was able to breathe easy when Harrison completed his first career hattrick into the empty net, giving Oshawa the 5-3 win.

It was the Generals third straight victory, also snapping London’s eight-game winning streak.

Patrick Leaver stopped 25 shots, earning his 9th victory of the season.

TEDDY BEAR TOSS THROUGH THE YEARS

A tradition that began in Oshawa 23 years ago, will add another chapter this Sunday, December 11th, when the Generals host their 24th Annual Teddy Bear Toss game, against the visiting Barrie Colts. Behind only the Kitchener Rangers streak of 27 years, Oshawa has the second-longest Teddy Bear Toss tradition in the Ontario Hockey League

Oshawa’s first ever Teddy Bear Toss took place at the old Civic Auditorium, in 1998 when defenceman Jim Baxter scored against the Peterborough Petes to start the cascade of bears to the ice. In its firstever event, Gens faithful donated more than 1,300 bears to children in need.

As any tradition does, it continued to grow over the years, with almost every single year seeing an increase in bears from the year before. Before the Civic Auditorium closed, and the now Tribute Communities Centre was open, it saw eight renditions of the Teddy Bear Toss game, collecting 16,498 bears over that span. The largest Teddy Bear Toss collection at the Civic Auditorium was

its final time hosting the event when the Generals collected 2,717 bears after now New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck scored against the Bellville Bulls.

When the Generals moved arenas to play at the Tribute Communities Centre, attendance rose and so did the bear totals. On December 10th, 2006, Corey Cowick scored the first Teddy Bear Toss goal in the new building, reigniting the tradition with a new era of Oshawa Generals fans.

The very next year, a Teddy Bear Toss moment went down in Generals history when Patrick Asselin THOUGHT he scored the all-important goal.

Asselin’s goal brought down a new record high of 3,626 bears, before his goal was called back. That’s right, for the first time in Generals’ history, the Teddy Bear goal didn’t count. Six minutes later Asselin scored again, this time for real, and all was right in GensNation.

Throughout the years, fans continued to fill the building for the holiday tradition, breaking attendance and bear records with each new edition of the game.

To date, the largest crowd to take in a Teddy Bear Toss game was 6,008 fans, when the Generals defeated the Bellville Bulls 3-2 on December 14th, 2012. The largest crowd to even take in the tradition threw more than 5,400 bears onto the ice. Despite being the largest crowd, this is not the record for bears collected.

That honour belongs to the 2014 edition when Michael Dal Colle’s goal against the Niagara IceDogs brought 6,072 bears down to ice level. The year before, Dal Colle also had the honour of scoring the Teddy Bear Toss goal, bringing more than 5,500 bears to the ice.

Despite the success of the tradition in getting bears to kids who need them most in Durham Region, the Generals haven’t seen success on the ice in a Teddy Bear Toss game since the 2013 toss, when they defeated the Bellville Bulls 5-2. It was their seventh straight victory on Teddy Bear Toss night. Now, the Generals are riding a six-game losing streak on the game, scoring only the eventual Teddy Bear Toss goal in four of those games.

This season, the Generals will return to hosting the Teddy Bear Toss in its traditional form, following two years of Drive-Thru Toss taking place in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the last two years, GensNation has braved not only the pandemic, but cold, windy and rainy weather to continue the tradition by donating canned goods, winter clothes, and of course teddy bears.

Up

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Photo by: Ian Goodal

GENERALS OHL LEGACY CONTINUES

This year’s Oshawa Generals roster contains many unfamiliar names, as the team goes through a “rebuilding” phase.

That is, except for Calum Ritchie, who is high on everyone’s radar.

The 17-year-old has been ranked as a top 10 NHL prospect by every list on the internet for the June draft.

He isn’t the first General with a chance to become a superstar. Legends Bobby Orr, Eric Lindros, Marc Savard, and even the 25th and current Toronto Maple Leaf’s captain, John Tavares, are all Oshawa Generals alumni.

“We’ve had some of the best players to ever play hockey, to ever touch the ice,” says general manager Roger Hunt.

The Generals are one of 20 teams that make up the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and in the last 15 years, the league has produced about 25 per cent of all first-round selections, and seven first overall picks.

“Just over 25% of the NHL’s opening night rosters are OHL alumni. Our 20 teams account for a quarter of the entire NHL. That’s crazy,” says Kyle Pereira, director of player recruitment for the OHL.

So, what makes the OHL the number one supplier of these first-round draft picks?

“Population alone has helped with that,” says Brandon Wright, manager of social media, game day, and media relations for the Generals. “I think being in the centre of Ontario gives us an advantage. All of the best teams are based around these metropolitan centres.”

Ontario’s denser population of nearly 15 million people allows for more competitive minor hockey, which provides more feeder teams for the OHL. The Eastern Hockey League, which includes Oshawa’s minor AAA team, has 13 teams.

In 2021, Ritchie was the AAA Oakville Rangers captain and went second overall to the Oshawa Generals, marking the first time Oshawa has picked second since 2006.

In addition to the sheer number of players, the OHL offers training facilities, reimbursement for off-season expenses for skill development, access to trainers and support staff, and platforms to maintain mental health.

Each player also earns a scholarships to allow them to pursue an education for a career after their time in the league.

“The league makes it such a desirable place for these high-end players and allows them to pursue their NHL goals,” Pereira adds.

The competition in the OHL, with so many teams, also drives players and organizations.

“There is a responsibility coming to this organization, as much as it is a privilege. That responsibility is to be a playoff team,” Hunt emphasizes. “If you come here, you have to understand those are the expectations.”

As for team accomplishments, Hunt takes those seriously. He says they don’t put up every division win or banner, but rather only “the big ones”.

“Our team embraces the pressure,” he says. “Some teams don’t, and those ones never win.”

“There is a responsibility coming to this organization, as much as it is a privilege. That responsibility is to be a playoff team,” Hunt emphasizes. “If you come here, you have to understand those are the expectations.”

As for team accomplishments, Hunt takes those seriously. He says they don’t put up every division win or banner, but rather only “the big ones”.

“Our team embraces the pressure,” he says. “Some teams don’t, and those ones never win.”

This season, the Oshawa Generals are partnering with the Journalism – Mass Media program at Durham College to produce up-to-date and reliable journalism stories and reporting on the team. This partnership not only provides more content for you the reader to enjoy and consume, but for the students in this program to have extended real-life experiences through story planning, interviews, editing and writing. These stories are being produced for their student paper The Chronicle. This story is written by Katie Sampson.

Pos: Catches: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

PATRICK LEAVER THOMAS STEWART LUCA D’AMATO DAVID BEDKOWSKI

Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status: Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

G L 6.01 179 2003-09-04 Perth, ON Free Agent D R 6.02 189 2003-01-06 Toronto, ON Free Agent D R 5.09 160 2004-08-18 Maple, ON Eligible 2023 D R 6.04 203 2006-12-07 Toronto, ON Eligible 2024

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

Wolf - They are tough and they have a pack mentality

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

Outside hunting or fishing

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD TEAMMATE?

Push people to be better, friendly, and I like to have fun

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

WHAT IS 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

TY PETROU

Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status: Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status: Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status: Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

JORDYN ERTEL

C R 5.11 176 2004-05-10 Pickering, ON Free Agent C L 6.00 175 2005-05-16 Conestogo, ON Eligible 2023 RW R 5.11 178 2005-03-21 Ottawa, ON Eligible 2023 D L 5.08 176 2002-02-27 Woodbridge, ON Free Agent

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? First goal puck

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

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOCKEY NICKNAMES? Ertzy

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

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? My phone and dog, Llucy

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOCKEY NICKNAMES? Moorezy, Ley Ley, Tubby

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GAME DAY SUPERSTITIONS? Nap, bagel and ice coffee, left to right equipment

Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

LUKE TORRANCE LUCA MARRELLI

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? My first goal puck

Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status: Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

LW L 6.00 207 2004-03-30 Oshawa, ON Free Agent D R 6.02 178 2005-10-04 Toronto, ON Eligible 2024 D L 6.03 211 2003-09-09 Kobrin, BY Free Agent

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD TEAMMATE?

Someone you can connect and have fun with

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOCKEY NICKNAMES? LT, T, Torr, Tornado

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

NIKITA PARFENYUK

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

CALUM RITCHIE

C R 6.02 187 2005-01-24 Oakville, ON Eligible 2023

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

Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status: Pos: Catches: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

RW L 6.01 196 2005-04-11 Lufingen, CH Eligible 2023 LW L 6.07 199 2004-07-27 London, ON Free Agent

KIMO GRUBER DYLAN ROOBROECK RW L 5.11 193 2006-08-10 Cambridge, ON Eligible 2024

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

TYLER GRAHAM G L 6.00 174 2004-05-27 Brooklin, ON Eligible 2023

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

CARTER BICKLE

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

Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

CAMERON

BUTLER

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

Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

BRETT

Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status: Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

HARRISON

C L 6.03 183 2003-06-07 Dorchester, ON BOS (2021) RD:3 (#85)

BECKETT SENNECKE

RW R 6.04 215 2002-06-09 Ottawa, ON Free Agent LW R 6.00 161 2006-01-28 Toronto, ON Eligible 2024

RYAN GAGNIER

C L 6.00 186 2002-07-16 Tecumseh, ON Free Agent

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

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? Hockey stick

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOCKEY NICKNAMES? Harry

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GAME DAY SUPERSTITIONS? Nap & warm-up the exact same way every time

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

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

WHAT MAKES YOU A GOOD TEAMMATE?

Leadership & being someone guys can approach

Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status: Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status: Pos: Shoots: Ht: Wt: Dob: Hometown: NHL Status:

RW R 6.03 216 2004-07-15 Stouffville, ON Eligible 2023 D R 6.02 187 2006-02-06 Madoc, ON Eligible 2024 LW L 6.03 204 2003-03-28 Carp, ON Free Agent

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

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

LUCA D’AMATO JOINS #GENSNATION

Luca D’Amato’s OHL journey began when the Flint Firebirds drafted him 86th overall in the 5th round of the 2020 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.

As is the case for so many 2004-born players, D’Amato’s true rookie season was taken away from him as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the OHL’s decision to not hold the 2020-2021 season.

However, the Maple, Ont., native joined the Firebirds the very next year, appearing in all but one game during the 2021-2022 season. In his 67 games, D’Amato, the defenceman, flexed his offensive upside, putting up 30 points in his first OHL season. With seven goals and 23 assists, D’Amato finished third amongst all Firebird defencemen.

D’Amato began his sophomore season in the OHL with the Firebirds. In 24 games with the Firebirds to start the 2022-2023 season, he already put up 11 points, with one goal and 10 assists to his name. He has also found himself amongst the league’s best in plus/minus.

On Wednesday, November 30th, the Generals acquired Luca D’Amato from the Firebirds in exchange for fellow 2004-born defencemen Blake Smith and a draft pick.

Since joining the Generals, D’Amato has appeared in four games entering the second weekend of December. His first point as a General came as an assist in the Generals’ 6-5 win over the Sarnia Sting on December 2nd. D’Amato has also continued to pace the league in plus/minus at plus-25.

D’Amato’s impact on the Generals’ lineup has been felt immediately, as they have played to a record of 3-1-0-0 since he joined the team, and he will surely continue to be a dependable piece as the Gens continue to right the ship midway through the 2022-2023 season.

GENERALS’ PARENTS THRILLED TO WATCH THEIR SONS REPRESENT CANADA ON WORLD HOCKEY STAGE

When Lesley and Al Danford saw their son Ben step out on the ice for the first time in his red Team Canada jersey with 22 on his back, they got chills.

“It was pretty incredible. You kind of had to pinch yourself, so to speak,” Al said.

Ben was one of three Oshawa Generals picked in the 2022 OHL draft selected to represent Canada at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Langley, B.C.

For these players’ parents, it’s a chance to see their sons’ hard work pay off.

Canada is split into three teams: Red, White and Black. Forward Beckett Sennecke (eighth overall) plays for Canada White, while defencemen Ben Danford (14th overall) and David Bedkowski (36th overall) are both suiting up for Canada Red.

Bedkowski’s parents, Helen Bedkowski and Michael Haughton, say they’re happy to see David’s drive and focus rewarded.

“It’s pretty awesome, and it’s nice to be out here watching him,” said Haughton. “This is the development that’s been happening since he was three and a half years old, and it’s just been a natural progression and we’re happy parents.”

Playing in the tournament allows these kids to display their skills against some of top players in their age group, something that the Toronto player’s parents are keen on seeing.

“You’re competing on very level field, which is exciting in that now your son is up against kids that’s just as good as him,” Haughton said.

Beckett Sennecke’s mom, Candice, said her son and the Canadians know they have to bring maximum effort and intensity on every shift, given the significance of the stage they are on.

“The boys really embrace the responsibility of what this is all about. There’s a maturity level, a high compete level,” she said. “That’s something that I know [Beckett] brings to the team.”

She says seeing Beckett, also from Toronto, represent his country at this tournament is a different feeling than previous experiences.

“It’s always been a goal of his,” she says. “He’s played in tournaments internationally but with other teams and organizations. I think it’s a very different feeling when you’ve got Canada on your back.”

Hockey Canada has been engulfed in its own controversy surrounding the covering up of sexual assault allegations.

Candice said the burden of Hockey Canada’s scandal falls onto the players in this tournament.

“Obviously you know the situation with Hockey Canada right now, there’s a lot of responsibility on them to not only perform on the ice but to show a different side of hockey,” she said. “As parents we couldn’t be more proud.”

Danford’s parents said the whole family was looking forward to watching the Madoc native play for Canada.

“It’s an absolute honour for Ben to be selected to come out and play for his country, and I know that for sure he feels that way,” Al said.

They said Ben is a leader and gets along with all his teammates. They’re grateful for the opportunities and support the Generals have given him.

“The rapport that he has with those Generals players and just all of them just cheering and shouting and saying ‘hey Benny we’ll see you later, good luck out there!’ The support that he has from them has been amazing,” Lesley said.

The Generals are tied for the most players from one team in the OHL at the tournament. General manager Roger Hunt says the Generals are thrilled as an organization to see their guys represent the team, city and country.

“Certainly our fans, and the city should be proud, too, that the city of Oshawa and the Oshawa Generals have got three players playing in this tournament,” he said.

Generals head coach Derek Laxdal is delighted to see his players at the tournament.

“I think it’s an honour to have,” he said. “It just shows you the work that our scouting staff put in place when we drafted these kids... these kids are the foundation of our franchise moving forward.”

This season, the Oshawa Generals are partnering with the Journalism – Mass Media program at Durham College to produce up-to-date and reliable journalism stories and reporting on the team. This partnership not only provides more content for you the reader to enjoy and consume, but for the students in this program to have extended real-life experiences through story planning, interviews, editing and writing. These stories are being produced for their student paper The Chronicle. This story is written by Navenraj Sandhar.

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