Shootout
By Victor Fernandes Erie Times-News staff blogger
Staff writer Victor Fernandes has ice in his veins. Hockey – he plays it, coaches it and provides the region's best coverage of it.   Read more about this blog.
 Phone: 814-870-1716
Posts tagged ‘marcus foligno’
Posted: January 10th, 2011

The Erie Otters have acquired 19-year-old C Brett Thompson (25 goals, 46 points this season) and a draft pick from Sault Ste. Marie for LW David Broll and three picks, Dave Brown, Otters assistant manager of hockey operations, has confirmed today.

The Otters also sent a 2013 third-round pick and 2014 fourth-round pick in the OHL Priority Selection, as well as a first-round pick in the 2011 CHL Import Draft, to the Greyhounds. The Otters received a second-round pick in the 2011 CHL draft.

Brown said Thompson, who had 42 goals and 65 points with the Greyhounds last season, was one of the forwards club officials were pursuing. Club officials didn’t pursue forwards at the heart of trade rumors, such as C Taylor Carnevale (traded by Barrie to Windsor), Windsor RW Zack Kassian and Sudbury LW Marcus Foligno.

Brown didn’t anticipate any further moves by the Otters before the league’s noon deadline. Sherry Bassin, Otters managing partner and general manager, hasn’t returned a telephone message left today.

- Victor Fernandes

Posted: January 6th, 2011

The Erie Otters are focused on acquiring a forward before the OHL trade deadline arrives at noon Monday.

But high-profile forwards, such as Windsor RW Zack Kassian , don’t appear to be in the mix.

“The price is going to be pretty expensive,” said Dave Brown, assistant manager of hockey operations. “We’ve got a real good hockey team. We want to make them better if we can with a trade. But we also have to be careful that we don’t cut off our nose to spite our face.”

That presumably also should take Sudbury LW Marcus Foligno, who like Kassian has been a hot topic of trade rumors, off the Otters’ list.

Instead, the Otters seem interested in second-tier forwards that could complement a frontline that includes five potent scorers (Mike Cazzola, Anthony Luciani, Greg McKegg, Shawn Szydlowski and Phil Varone) and should add a sixth in Andrew Yogan next month. He continues to rehabilitate from shoulder surgery.

“We’re looking to do more trades that are fair and equitable for both sides than a trade where it’s a complete dump,” Brown said. “We’re more on the kind of player that fits what our needs are. We’re looking for a well-rounded player to help take us deep into the playoffs.”

Brown also said he doesn’t envision the Otters attempting to acquire Barrie’s Dalton Prout, an overage defenseman that also has been the subject of trade rumors. The Otters already have the league limit of three OAs – Luciani, Szydlowski and Varone.

“It’s not a fit for our hockey club,” Brown said. “Our overage guys, they all contribute to our team on a regular basis.”

For now, the trade market remains quiet – a normal occurrence until after the annual IIHF World Junior Championship. The tournament concluded Wednesday. Club officials want to make a deal “to try to make our team better,” Brown said. “Does that mean I can guarantee that we’re going to make a deal? I can’t promise that. We’re going to do everything we can to make this push because we believe in these guys. I think they believe in themselves. I want to go on a long playoff run with these guys.”

- Victor Fernandes

Posted: December 17th, 2010

What: Sudbury Wolves (11-20-1-0) at Erie Otters (16-16-1-1)

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Tullio Arena

On the air: WFNN-AM/1330, www.ottershockey.com (live stream)

Players to watch

Erie – C Greg McKegg (24 goals, 27 assists, 51 points), RW Shawn Szydlowski (17-15-32), RW Anthony Luciani (13-17-30), G Ramis Sadikov (16-11-1-1 record, 2.92 goals-against average, .912 save percentage, 2 shutouts), C Phil Varone (12-13-25)

Sudbury – LW Mike Lomas (17-15-32), LW Michael MacDonald (12-15-17), D Josh McFadden (6-20-26), C Michael Sgarbossa (10-14-24), D Frank Corrado (2-14-16)

Fast facts

Erie – The Otters have a 3-3 record in December after posting a 9-3 mark in November. … They look to split the two-game season series after losing to the Wolves 3-1 in Sudbury Oct. 23. … The Otters have nearly identical home (8-8-0-1) and road (8-8-1-0) records. They have dropped their last two home games. … They are third in the OHL on the power play (22.5 percent), two spots ahead of the Wolves (21.4). … The Otters have dropped to 16th on the penalty kill (78.5). … Before the game, coach Robbie Ftorek and assistant Peter Sidorkiewicz will serve as coaches in the inaugural Guns & Hoses Charity Hockey Game. The 4 p.m. game features local police officers facing local firefighters/EMS and paramedics in a game that benefits the Children’s Advocacy Center of Erie County.

Sudbury – The Wolves will play without leading scorer Marcus Foligno (15-18-33), who remains with Team Canada to prepare for the IIHF World Junior Championship, which begins Dec. 26 in Buffalo. … The Wolves traded former No. 1 pick John McFarland and veteran D Ben Chiarot to Saginaw last week for Sgarbossa, LW Alex Racino and D Frank Schumacher. … Sgarbossa has three goals and four points in two games with the Wolves. … The Wolves rank in the league’s bottom five in goals scored (91) and goals against (133). … They enter tonight’s game off a 9-3 loss to Mississauga St. Michael’s.

Up next: at Plymouth (Dec. 28, 2 p.m.), at Saginaw (Dec. 29, 7:11 p.m.)

– Victor Fernandes

Posted: October 22nd, 2010

What: Erie Otters (3-8-1-0) at Sudbury Wolves (3-6-1-0)

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Sudbury Community Arena – Sudbury, Ontario

On the air: WFNN-AM/1330, www.ottershockey.com (live stream)

Players to watch

Erie – C Greg McKegg (8 goals, 13 assists, 21 points), C Mike Cazzola (6-12-18), RW Shawn Szydlowski (5-7-12), LW David Broll (2-5-7), D Tyler Hostetter (3-6-9)

Sudbury – LW Mike Lomas (7-5-12), C Kristoff Kontos (4-6-10), LW Marcus Foligno (4-5-9), D Josh McFadden (3-5-8)

Fast facts

Erie – The Otters have lost six straight games, their longest losing streak since setting the franchise record of 16 consecutive defeats in the 2007-08 season. … They have lost four straight on the road and are 2-6-0-0 overall. … D Brett Cook (concussion) had no points, two penalty minutes and a minus-3 rating in his return to the lineup on Friday in Sault Ste. Marie. … The Otters remain without defenseman David Shields (back) and Mitch Gaulton (hand) and forwards Brett Appio (leg), Connor Crisp (concussion) and Anthony Luciani (wrist). … The Otters have allowed five or more goals six times in 12 games on their way to 53 goals against – the OHL’s second-worst total. … McKegg is tied for second with Owen Sound LW Garrett Wilson in the league scoring race, one point behind Niagara C Ryan Strome. … Cazzola has moved into the top 10 in scoring. … The Otters are third overall on the power play (25.5 percent).

Sudbury – The Wolves have won two straight (both against Barrie) since starting the season with a 1-6-1-0 record. … They have scored a league-low 30 goals. … C John McFarland (3-2-5 in 6 games) has missed the past four games reportedly with an undisclosed injury. … The Wolves and Otters rank in the bottom five on the penalty kill.

Up next: vs. Plymouth (Wednesday, 7 p.m.), vs. Windsor (Friday, 7 p.m.)

Posted: October 21st, 2010

Toronto – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the Ontario Hockey League, London Knights and Sudbury Wolves announced on Thursday the rosters for Team OHL that will compete against Team Russia in the 2010 SUBWAY® Super Series.

Following two games hosted in the QMJHL, the OHL leg of the six-game series begins in London on Nov. 11 at the John Labatt Centre before moving north to the Sudbury Community Arena on Nov. 15.  Erie Otters captain Greg McKegg will play in the Nov. 15 game.

The series then shifts west for two games hosted in the WHL.

“The SUBWAY® Super Series provides these players with a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate that they can compete amongst the best players eligible for the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship,” said Dave Cameron of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, who will serve as head voach of both Team OHL and Team Canada.  “The OHL has had a lot of success against the Russians in this event and I am confident that we have assembled another strong group of players in all positions that will make us competitive in these games, and with players who will make a strong push to represent the OHL on Team Canada in Buffalo this December.”

A total of 36 players in total were selected for Team OHL rosters, including 2010 Team Canada members Calvin de Haan of the Oshawa Generals and Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires who won silver last year at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

The rosters are also highlighted by three first round picks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, including Erik Gudbranson of the Kingston Frontenacs, Joey Hishon of the Owen Sound Attack and Mark Visentin of the Niagara IceDogs.

In addition to de Haan and Ellis, 2009 first-round picks Peter Holland of the Guelph Storm and Zack Kassian of the Spitfires will compete in the series.  London’s Scott Harrington is one of seven players competing that are eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.  He will represent the host Knights in London alongside forward Michael MacDonald, while Wolves forwards Marcus Foligno and John McFarland will represent the host team in Sudbury.

The Team OHL rosters were assembled by a selection committee that includes Brampton Battalion general manager and coach Stan Butler and London general manager Mark Hunter.  They worked in conjunction with Hockey Canada head scout Kevin Prendergast.

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