Fresh start

A new era begins in Wellington

They come to Wellington from across North America hoping for a break. Occasionally much further. Sixteen and seventeen year olds tear a hole in their summer and that of their parent’s, to make the pilgrimage to hockey meccas like Wellington. They do this because the hockey program developed here first by Garry Lavender and later by Marty Abrams has produced a long list of athletes who have pursued a pathway to collegiate hockey—and an elite education— in the U.S. Some have gone much further. So to Wellington they come, each August, stoked with anticipation and a little fear. From Wisconsin, California, Florida. And Australia. Really.

Michigan’s Declan Carlile patrols the territory in front of the net in action on Saturday afternoon.

And so it was again this past weekend. Players from Maryland from and Nova Scotia and further afield joined the many others from Ontario and Quebec in the parking lot of the Wellington and District Community Centre. Several dozen young men. Not all of them are fresh faced youngsters. Some of those making the trek to Wellington have been kicking around in other leagues for a couple years. They are looking for redemption— one last shot to catch the eye of a school and, perhaps, a scholarship.

Others are here just because Wellington has a tradition of winning—and winning is always more fun than the alternative.

A brand new era is beginning in Wellington. Abrams is out. Randy Uens, Scott McCrory and Ryan Woodward are in. Each was conspicuous around the rink on Saturday.

Long time observers of the Dukes hockey program noted a more hands-on and involved approach with the prospects on the weekend. Less a showcase of pure individual talent, more an opportunity to work with these young men and—at least for a couple days—teach some things, share insights and suggest improvements. Less the narrow task of assembling a roster of talent, more working to make each participant in the Dukes training camp a little better.

That philosophy was underlined by new head coach Scott McCrory.

“We are looking for young men who will work hard and listen,” said McCrory. “I am a big believer that if you do both those things you will succeed in this game.”

So it was that observers saw in the entire coaching staff—a serious amount of hockey talent including assistant coaches Kyle Hawkins- Schulz and Ryan Kitchen—on the ice working one-on-one with the prospects. Pointing to small things to improve their game and to change their outlook to specific assignments—things they might never have heard in their hometown rink despite, more likely because of, their exceptional talent.

Instruction. Work hard. Repeat.

Ted McGeen eludes his checker to face the netminder one on one. The nineteen year old played 24 games in the BCHL last season.

From such a large group of prospects it is a bit reckless to point to the players likely to make a significant impact on the Dukes this season—but two players, Ted McGeen up front and Declan Carlile on the blue line—impressed this scribe in their respective auditions on the weekend.

Each time he touched the puck McGeen had a plan—a scenario mapped out involving at least two of his linemates, and was always a threat to score or make the perfect pass to the winger heading to the far side of the net. Carlile is quick and carries a decent size. But it is his calm when things come undone that has likely given the young Michigan defencemen success.

It is a certainty that many other gems will reveal themselves over the coming days and weeks. It all begins on Friday night as the Dukes welcome the Kingston Voyageurs to Wellington for an exhibition game.

It is a new era in Wellington—and with luck the continuation of a tradition of success and great hockey.