2014/15 Minor Midget Record – 26-3-4 (1st overall)
Final Result – Lost in 5 to Waterloo in Finals (OHL Cup Semi-Finalist)
2014/15 Major Bantam Record – 20-9-3 (4th overall)
Final Result – Lost in 3 to Windsor in Quarter-Finals
After one of the best seasons and best teams the Alliance has seen in some time, the London Jr. Knights are poised with somehow trying duplicate or even exceed that success. It won’t be easy, but London has some dynamic players that will be ready for the task at hand.
Following a season where London made the semi-finals of the OHL Cup and had the likes of Nick Suzuki, Issac Ratcliffe, Max Vinogradov and Aidan Hughes, it’s hard to say that the Jr. Knights would have a player even more highly touted then those. But that is exactly what they have on their hands. Eric Guest, who played his Bantam hockey with the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs, is the offensive threat the rest of the Alliance will be tasked with trying to shut down. Guest is currently ranked #10 on The Scout when it comes to the top prospects for the 2016 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Guest shined last season with the Chiefs during the OHL Cup, collecting three points in four games. While Guest is the most touted newcomer for London, he’s joined by others who will also make a big impact.
In addition to Guest, four other players have made their way from the Chiefs. Included in that are forwards Noah and Joel Mazzilli, defenseman Anthony Cimino and goaltender Jukka Schotter. Neither of London’s Bantam goalies returned this year. Joining Schotter is Keaghan Brett, who played his Bantam hockey with the Brantford 99ers.
10 players returned from a London Bantam team that had a very successful regular season, but disappointed in the playoffs. Among those returning are Brett Fisher and last years Bantam captain Kyle Fisher. Both players had limited play last season with the Minor Midget club.
There is no doubt that London has the fire power to put the puck in the net. It will come down to defense and goaltending that will determine the Knights fate. They begin play later this week at the Toronto Titans Tournament while their regular season doesn’t begin until October 5 when they play host to Chatham-Kent.
London Jr. Knights Roster:
Anthony Cimino
Braidon Duncan
Patrick Mailloux
Jake Rendall
Daylan Harnadek
Adrian Franklin
Blake McConnell
Dylan VanDusen
Sammy Stanton
Isaac Walker
Adam Growden
Eric Guest
Jukka Schotter
Brett Fisher
Kyle Fisher
Noah Mazzilli
Joel Mazzilli
Keaghan Brett