Spitfires Open 2010 Pre-Season in Chelsea, MI, Windsor and Plymouth Finish in 2-2 Tie

September 5, 2010 @ 12:56AM

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(Chelsea, Michigan) The Windsor Spitfires opened their 2010 pre-season schedule in Chelsea, Michigan at the Arctic Coliseum against the West Division rival Plymouth Whalers. With 12 new faces in the lineup and newly appointed head coach Bob Jones behind the bench, the Windsor Spitfires hockey operations department had yet another opportunity to evaluate the new, incoming talent to select their squad for the 2010-2011 season.

In the opening frame, Plymouth had the early jump and scored the game’s opening goal as Max Iafrate, son of NHL alumnus Al Iafrate, unleashed a wrist shot from 20 feet out to take an early 1-0 lead. With both teams settling in after the first five minutes of play, both teams played a more physical brand of hockey and Spitfire forward Mitch Dunning left the game at the 8:53 mark after suffering an undisclosed injury following a hit from Plymouth’s Nick Malysa. The hit seemed to light a fire under the Spitfires and they dominated the rest of the period, keeping the Whalers pinned in their zone but were unable to beat Whalers goaltender Scott Wedgewood. Plymouth took their 1-0 lead to the dressing room after 20 minutes of play.

The second period was filled with physical play from both teams, with Spitfires forward Zack MacQueen and Whalers defenceman Nick Maylsa dropping the gloves just over the midway point of the second period. With few scoring chances for either side, Plymouth kept their one goal lead heading into the third period.

The third period saw the game open up, with each team getting chances on both ends. Spitfires goaltender Michael Nishi and Whalers goalie Matt Malahak matched each other save for save until Windsor evened the score at 1-1 on a Steven Trojanovic blast from the point with just over five minutes left in the game. With 1:40 left, the Spitfires took their first lead of the game, as Eric Locke banged home a Stephen Johnston rebound to give Windsor a 2-1 edge. Not to be outdone, the Whalers found themselves on the power play with less than a minute left in the game and pulled Mahalak from the Whaler goal for an extra attacker. With the 6 on 4 advantage, Stefan Noesen of Plymouth scored the game tying goal with 51 seconds left in the contest.

The game ended tied at 2-2 and both teams will meet again on Labour Day (Monday, September 6th) at the WFCU Centre. Game time is set for 2 p.m.

Spitfires 2010 Training Camp - Day Two

September 1, 2010 @ 6:48PM

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Day Two Recap of the Spitfires 2010 Training Camp, Team White Defeats Team Red 7-4 in Morning Session and Team Red Defeats Blue 7-6 in Afternoon Session

(Windsor) Day two of the Spitfires 2010 Training Camp kicked off earlier today with Team Blue taking to the ice for a 9 a.m. practice with several NHL’ers on hand including Spitfire alumnus’ and Dallas Stars forward Steve Ott as well as Buffalo Sabres defenceman Mike Weber. Team White and Team Red then finished the round robin portion of camp with the final intra-squad game being played starting at 10:15 a.m.

Team White secured their first win of camp, defeating Team Red 7-4. Alexander Khokhlachev (Windsor Spitfires – OHL) and Michael Whaley (LaSalle Vipers Jr. B – GOJHL) led Team White as they each scored two goals while adding an assist in the victory. Scott Boultbee of Team White (Quinte Red Devils Min. Midget AAA – EHL) also scored one goal and one assist while teammates Troy Passingham (Windsor Spitfires – OHL) and Josh Malecki (Detroit Compuware U-17’s – MWEHL) stood tall in goal, stopping 36 of the 40 shots they faced.

Derek Lanoue of Team Red registered his second multi-point game of camp with a goal and an assist.

CHL Announces Six Host Centres for the 2010 SUBWAY® Super Series

September 1, 2010 @ 12:40PM

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Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with SUBWAY® restaurant chain and the three regional leagues the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Western Hockey League today announced all six Canadian host centres for the 2010 SUBWAY® Super Series.

Canada and Russia will renew their rivalry in CHL venues across the country for the eighth straight year this season as part of a six game series beginning Monday November 8 in Saint John, NB. The QMJHL will also host Game Two in Drummondville, QC, on Wednesday November 10. The OHL leg of the series picks up in London, ON, on Thursday November 11 before heading north to Sudbury, ON, for Game Four of the series on Monday November 15. The series shifts to the WHL and Kamloops, BC, on Wednesday November 17 before wrapping up in Prince George, BC, with Game Six on Thursday November 18.

The series features regional teams of CHL All-Stars competing against the Russian National Junior Team and serves as an integral part of the identification process for Team Canada just prior to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp for the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championships to be held this season in Buffalo, New York.

“The CHL looks forward to welcoming back the SUBWAY® Super Series in CHL arenas this November,” said CHL President David Branch. “The excitement around this event continues to grow as fans have the opportunity to see our league’s top talent that will vie for a spot on Team Canada at the World Junior Championships compete against one of our country’s biggest hockey rivals.”

Last season, the CHL won all six games of the series and were represented internationally by 21 players from 2009 SUBWAY® Super Series rosters on the Team Canada squad that captured silver at the World Junior Championships in Saskatoon, SK. Eight Russian players also competed in the 2009 event before finishing in sixth place in Saskatchewan.

All six games of the SUBWAY ® Super Series will be broadcast nationally on Rogers Sportsnet with RDS televising both games from the QMJHL.

2010 SUBWAY® Super Series Schedule of Games
Game 1 – Monday November 8 at Saint John, NB
Game 2 – Wednesday November 10 at Drummondville, QC
Game 3 – Thursday November 11 at London, ON
Game 4 – Monday November 15 at Sudbury, ON
Game 5 – Wednesday November 17 at Kamloops, BC
Game 6 – Thursday November 18 at Prince George, BC

Windsor Spitfires Officially Open Their 2010 Training Camp Today

August 31, 2010 @ 2:17PM

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(Windsor) With summer finally winding down, the Windsor Spitfires proudly welcomed Spitfire fans to the opening of the team’s training camp earlier today at the WFCU Centre.

Prior to opening up the camp to the public, the 48 participating players reported to Windsor this past Sunday and yesterday afternoon to take part in a private fitness testing session. Many players turned in impressive performances, with 2010 Spitfires draft pick and recently signed forward Anthony Cortellessa and Spits superstar Ryan Ellis stealing the show as they finished first and second respectively in the six test session.

The complete list of top finishers from the fitness testing session was as follows:

The individual exercise leaders within the fitness testing component were as follows:

Bench Press (155 pounds) – Zack Kassian, Forward, Windsor Spitfires (OHL) – 38 repetitions

Chinups – Anthony Cortellessa, Forward, Toronto Marlboros Min. Midget AAA (Alliance) – 26 repetitions

Agility – Zack Kassian, Forward, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Long Jump – Patrick Murphy, Defenceman, LaSalle Vipers Jr. B (GOJHL)/Windsor Spitfires (OHL) – 111 inches

Repeat Sprint Test (Total Time) – Anthony Cortellessa, Forward, Toronto Marlboros Min. Midget AAA
(Alliance) - Two runs totaling 94.12 seconds (two cones, 20 yards, 12 trips)

Front Plank, Left Plank and Right Plank – All players passed the physical requirement

In today’s action, Team Red opened the official portion of the camp as they practiced on the WFCU Centre’s main bowl starting at 9 a.m. Team White and Team Blue then took to the ice for the camp’s first scrimmage at 10:15 a.m with Team Blue defeating Team White 4-3. Eric Locke (Mississauga Reps Maj. Midget AAA – GTHL) led the way for Team Blue, scoring two goals and adding one assist with teammate Zack MacQueen (Windsor Spitfires – OHL) also scoring one goal and registering two assists in the win. Zack Kassian (Windsor Spitfires – OHL) scored one goal and added an assist to lead Team White.

Windsor Acquires Nick Ebert from Mississauga

August 30, 2010 @ 9:59AM

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(Windsor) Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel today announced that the Spitfires have acquired U.S. defenceman Nick Ebert from the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors. Ebert was ranked number one by OHL Central Scouting heading into the 2010 OHL Priority Selection and was selected by the Majors with their first round pick, 17th overall.

The 6’1”, 190 pound rearguard played as a 15 year-old for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL) along with current Spitfire Brady Vail last season and Ebert scored six goals and 18 points in 53 games for the Black Hawks.

In exchange, the Spitfires have sent second round picks in the 2015 and 2016 OHL Priority Selections to the Majors.

“The Windsor Spitfires are really excited to acquire one of the best 1994 birthdate players in North America. Nick will be a key part of our team this year and will be one of our franchise’s cornerstones. He is a fluent skater who plays an excellent two-way game. He has tremendous pro upside and was one of only two 15 year olds along with Brady Vail to play in the USHL. Nick is eligible for the 2012 NHL Draft and will be attending our training camp starting tomorrow at the WFCU Centre,” said Warren Rychel.

Nick Ebert
Position: Defenceman
Birthdate: May 11, 1994
Shot: Right Height: 6’1”
Weight: 190 Hometown: Livingston, N.J.

Windsor Acquires Draft Choices from Mississauga, Cantin and Shugg Traded to the Majors

August 27, 2010 @ 3:34PM

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Sugg #44 celbrates during Game Four of the 2010 OHL Finals. Photo by Jack Rosenberg In Play! Magazine

Cantin #11 heats his hands up on the on J. Ross Robertson Cup after Game Four of the 2010 OHL Finals. Photo by Jack Rosenberg In Play! Magazine

“As an organization, we felt that it was important to look towards the future and these picks will secure the future of the team. I can’t thank Shuggie and Cants enough for what they’ve brought to this organization. They are first-class young men and we were fortunate to have them as part of the Windsor Spitfires. We wish them the best of luck in Mississauga as the Majors will host the MasterCard Memorial Cup in 2011,” said Warren Rychel.

Spitfires Sign 2010 Fourth Round Pick Bryan Deeley to an OHL Contract

August 24, 2010 @ 1:35PM

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(Windsor) Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel today announced the signing of U.S. defenceman Bryan Deeley, Windsor’s fourth round pick, 73rd overall in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection to an OHL contract and education package.

Deeley, a 16 year-old right defenceman is listed at 5’11” and 170 pounds, and played 65 games for the Syracuse Jr. Nationals U-16 Minor Midgets of the U.S. Eastern Junior Hockey League. He scored 14 goals while registering 31 points for the Nationals last season.

“We are excited to add Bryan to our organization and he will be a big part of our team’s future. I like his tenacity and hardnosed approach to the game. Bryan will attend our training camp next week and we look forward to having him in Windsor for the next four seasons,” said Warren Rychel.

IIHF Approves Khokhlachev Transfer to the Spitfires

August 19, 2010 @ 7:40PM

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(Windsor) The Windsor Spitfires today announced that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has approved the transfer of Russian centre Alexander Khokhlachev to play for the Spitfires. The Windsor Spitfires selected Khokhlachev with the 23rd pick in the 2010 CHL Import Draft. Khokhlachev is eligible and highly ranked for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

The 16 year-old, 5’10” 172 pound Khokhlachev played last season with Moscow Spartak and led Russia in scoring with five goals and eight assists in six games en route to finishing second overall in scoring and being named to the all-tournament team at the 2010 World Under-17 Tournament in Timmins, ON.

“A lot of things had to come together to make this happen and the Spitfires are very thankful to all those who were involved. We are excited to have Alexander join us in Windsor and are ecstatic that he is now part of our organization. He has three years of eligibility to play with our club and his offensive talent will be noticed right away. Alexander is a pure goal scorer who was one of the most renowned players in Russia when he played for Moscow Spartak and will be an impact player in our league,” said Windsor Spitfires Vice-President and General Manager Warren Rychel.

Khokhlachev will be attending the Windsor Spitfires’ upcoming training camp from August 31st to September 2nd, 2010 and will be available to media for interviews at a later date to be announced.