Ottawa 67’s feeling confident heading into new season

With training camp and pre-season finished, it’s now time to get revved up for the official puck drop to the 2024-25 OHL season.

Among the emerging storylines in what promises to be an entertaining season evolves around the Ottawa 67’s, who will be looking to build off of last spring when they defeated the East Division second-seeded Brantford Bulldogs before getting swept in second-round action by the division’s number one seed Oshawa Generals.

Reflecting on the 67’s regular season, which saw them finish third in the East Division with 80 points, GM James Boyd was quite honest about what he observed.

“We were in games for the majority of the season,” Boyd said. “It’s disappointing finishing sixth in our conference. “There were a lot of close games, and if we were better prepared for some games, things could have been different.”

Among the many standouts Boyd mentioned was the team’s leading scorer, left winger Luca Pinelli, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. “Luca Pinelli was knocking on the 50-goal mark and was consistent all season,” Boyd said. Pinelli, in his third season with Ottawa, enjoyed a career season that saw him score 48 goals, 82 points, and 44 PIM in 68 games played.

Boyd, who also complimented the team’s backend, stated that a few skaters were missing in the early stages of this year’s training camp, as seven Ottawa players were competing at their respective NHL training camps.

“It’s great to see the progression and you’re rooting for them, and it’s a great feeling knowing that you helped in a small way develop their games,” Boyd said in relation to seeing so many players getting drafted in the NHL and attending their training camp.

In terms of training camp overall, Boyd commented, “I’m pleased with the attitude and work ethic I saw In camp. We’ve put that (last year’s second-round playoff loss) behind us. Every year is a different year. We’ll take the lessons that we learned and move on.”

On Friday, April 12th, at the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, the 67’s selected the 11th overall 6’1.25” 160-pound centerman Nathan Amidovski and with the 21st pick, 5’8.75 159-pound defenceman Kohyn Eshkawkogan, who are both coming off monster years with their respective AAA clubs.

Amidovski, who is 16 years old and from Alliston, Ontario, played 33 games last year for the Barrie Jr. Colts U16 AAA, where he scored 40 goals along with 69 points and 37 PIMs. Showing to be a clutch performer, Amidovski last spring produced 11 goals and 22 points, along with eight PIMs in nine playoff games. “Nathan has a high skill level and he is a natural goal scorer,” Boyd said. “He’s got size and has been playing the wing at camp.

Eshkawkogan, who is almost 16 years old and is from Manitoulin Island, Ontario, played 76 games last year for the North York Rangers U16 AAA where he produced 13 goals along with 65 points, 63 PIMs and was an impressive +75. “Kohyn is a smooth skating defenceman. He has shown a lot of poise and is able to elevate his game,” Boyd said. “They are both such skilled players. There is no pressure. We are going to allow them to adjust at their own level.”

This should be a highly entertaining season for this talented team, which, barring injury, has the potential to make a long playoff run come spring time.

Catch the action on Saturday, October 5th, as the Barber Poles take on the North Bay Battalion. Click here to find your tickets

Header image: Kohyn Eshkawkog and Nathan Amidovski courtesy chl.ca/ohl-67s