All good news for the Oshawa Generals

By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express

Despite a loss 3-2 in Kitchener on Nov. 18, the Oshawa Generals remain in first place in the OHL Eastern Conference, and on top of that, the team was just shortlisted to host the Memorial Cup in 2018.

Announced by the Canadian Hockey League on Nov. 21, the Gens, along with the Hamilton Bulldogs and Regina Pats, have all moved on to the next stage in the bidding process to host the 100th anniversary of the tournament in 2018.

According to a press release, national bid presentations will be heard by a National Site Selection Committee with a presentation schedule to committee members being announced at a later date. A final decision is set to be made in February 2017.

“Our successful host will engage the entire nation through this celebration that will also honour the brave men and women who served and continue to serve our country,” states CHL president David Branch in the same release.

Along with that good news, the Oshawa Generals continue to hold top the top spot in the Eastern Conference, four points ahead of the Bulldogs.

Gens GM Roger Hunt won’t say he’s surprised by the results, but he’s not sure he expected to be in this position so early in the season.

“I knew when we were getting certain players and when we draft certain players, we do it with a good record in mind…I don’t think you should be surprised at success if you follow a plan,” Hunt says.

The recent success is a welcome reward from last season, which saw the ailing club limp into the playoffs during a rebuild year following the Memorial Cup victory in 2015.

“We knew last year that there would be some long days and we went through it, but to come out the other side like we have done so far this year and hopefully the next couple years, we see it was all worth it,” Hunt says.

And the recent success also seems to have gotten the attention of the NHL as several players found their names on the national league’s central scouting list of players to watch this season.

Back-up goaltender Kyle Keyser, who most recently earned a stunning shootout victory over the Mississauga Steelheads on Nov. 16, Jack Studnicka, Renars Krastenbergs, Domenic Commisso and Kyle MaClean all found their names on the list.

“I think the message that it sends to the players is when you have team success, you’re bound to have individual success,” Hunt says. “Our team is playing well, people are talking about them, people are noticing them and they’re paying attention.”

However, that success may prove to be a double-edged sword in the months ahead. Come the trade deadline in January, Hunt has several factors to consider.

The club wants to have strong team to be considered for the 2018 Memorial Cup. However, it’s a safe assumption that captain Anthony Cirelli and defenceman Mitch Vande Sompel, two of the team’s best players, will be off to the NHL or AHL next season.

It begs the question as to whether the Gens will make moves at the trade deadline at the expense of their current season, or make a push.

“Without a doubt, we don’t want to lose sight of the future, but we can’t lose sight of the present either,” Hunt says. “We’re not ready to win a Memorial Cup right now, but certainly we have to keep an eye on this.”

While not ruling out any blockbuster moves at the deadline, Hunt said the organization will always keep everyone’s interests in mind.

“We’re not going to do anything reckless, but we’re not going to miss an opportunity and we’re not going to be afraid to take a chance either,” he says. “We’re going to do what is best for our franchise and we’re going to do what is best for our fans, and the players that are here too.”

The Gens are back in action on Friday, Nov. 23 when they take on the Flint Firebirds at the Tribute Communities Centre. Puck drop is set for 7:35 p.m.