Fast pace 4 on 4
The Winchester Hawks hosted their summer skate for the first time this season on Fri., July 12, at the Grenville Municipal Centre in Kemptville. Hawks’ goalie, Lucas DeVries makes a save off veteran, Isaac Landry (25) as defender, Jacob Giacobbi comes across to help out. Moore photo
KEMPTVILLE—The Winchester Hawks hosted their summer skate for the first time this season on Fri., July 12, at the Grenville Municipal Centre in Kemptville. There were some veterans out but mostly new players on the first skate of six over the next five weeks. There were 18 skaters and five goalies that were put through some drills prior to a scrimmage.
24 players signed up for the six-week sessions so the organizers look forward to meeting some new faces. It was a fast-paced scrimmage in a four on four format considering it is the first time most have been on the ice since the end of last season.
The Hawks’ general manager, Dom Menard says they will be expecting 10-12 players back for the upcoming season. Menard announced that, “the Hawks have signed veteran, Kyle Kuehni who will serve as our captain this season.” The Hawks have been busy this summer with a few signings and a trade. They introduced a new assistant coach, Grahame Hughs who was the head coach of the Brockville Tikis in the 2017—18 season and recently he coached HEO Peewee AAA to a championship season.
The Hawks then traded the rights to defenseman, Graeme Buffone who scored six goals and seven helpers for 13 points in 36 games with the Hawks last season, to the Alexandria Glens for forward, Maverick Backstrom. Backstrom played in 42 games with the Glens scoring six goals and adding 18 assists for 24 points.
The Hawks then signed forward Kyle Fleming who was traded to the Hawks last year from the Ottawa Jr. Canadians but only appeared in seven games with the Hawks. Fleming only played in 17 games in the league last season scoring four goals, five assists for nine points.
The Hawks newest signing came on Friday after they signed 20-year-old defenseman, Ryan Nielson who played with the Blind River Beavers of the NOJHL. Nielson began the season last year with the Hawks before moving to the Beavers. He scored one goal and eight assists in 38 games with the Beavers and picked up four assists with the Hawks in six games. The Hawks confirmed Nielson will be an alternate captain for the 2019-20 season.
The Hawks’ next skates are Fri., July 19 and July 26, at 6:30 p.m., Thurs., Aug. 1, at 5:30 p.m., Tues., Aug. 6 and Tues., Aug. 13 both at 6:30 p.m. Contact Hawks’ general manager, Dom Menard at 20dommer@gmail.com.
