This CCHL season, we have seen a lot of the same top contenders in the CCHL as last year. You have the reigning champion Puffin leading the Canosa Conference and leading the league in goal scoring, followed by the steady and reliable Georgetown Millers and Victoria Ronin. The Corfield Conference is led by perennial contender and current #1 team, the Dayton Musicmen, followed by the #2 team in the league, the young and strong Calgary Chinooks, along with the ever present Niagara Falls Thunder. But this year, we are seeing a few young teams pushing for playoff spots with their youthful rosters. Those 3 teams are the Hamilton Tigers, the Siberia Icecats and the Wisborg Donuts. All 3 teams missed the playoffs last year and all have been building with youth and lots of patience. The Tigers and Icecats are battling it out for 4th place in the tough Canosa Conference, while the Donuts currently sit in 5th place in the Corfield Conference, but poised to push the Winnipeg Ferrets for 4th. We spoke with GM Silvio Saouaf of the Icecats earlier today and here is what he had to say. "You know, it's refreshing to see this team with it's youth step up and make a difference. The last few years have been extremely hard on Icecats fans, but as promised, they are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With captain Connor McDavid leading the way, this team has forged an identity of playing tough and putting the puck in the net. We have struggled defensively, but we are addressing that also. I expect this team to be better next season." GM Saouaf is of course referring to his deadline deal to bring in a stalwart on D, Marc Vlasic. He should be a rock on the Icecats blue line for many years to come.
GM Saouaf also had this to say about his fellow youthful franchises. "You know, I admire what both GM Taylor and GM Kallum have done with their teams. They have built their teams through the draft, as we have in Siberia, and have blended in experienced veterans to balance their teams. I expect that we will be battling each other for years to come as our franchises continue to grow and evolve." Indeed, these 3 franchises are on their way up the ranks of the CCHL. With all of this youth, will they be able to maintain their positions down the stretch? This is where their veteran leadership will help balance the inexperience of their youth. Only time will tell if these 3 franchises can rise to become powerhouses like Dayton, Calgary, Reykjavik, Copenhagen, Georgetown, Niagara Falls and Victoria. Stay tuned sports fans!
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